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HISTORY 


TWELFTH    REGIMENT 


NEW  HAMPSHIRE  VOLUNTEERS 


WAR  OF  THE   REBELLION 


BY 

CAPT.  A.  W.  BARTLETT 

Historian  Twelfth  Regiment  Association, 


CONCORD,  N.  H.  : 

I  HA   C.   EVANS,  PRINTER,   12  SCHOOL  STRKET. 
18!)  7. 


h  s 

.  5 


To  THE  BRAVE  BOYS  OF  THE 
TWELFTH 

BOTH  THE  LIVING  AND  THE  DEAD 

£(Jia  (tfofume  ia 
RE  SPEC  TF  ULL  Y  DEDICA  TED 

BY    THE    AUTHOR. 


694147 


PRDF/ICD. 


In  giving  this  history  to  the  public,  the  author  has  the  satisfaction  of 
knowing  that  with  all  its  errors  and  imperfections  he  has  tried  to  be  both 
truthful  and  impartial. 

He  knows  also,  from  experience,  that  to  write  what  is  readable  is  one 
thing,  but  quite  another  to  write  that  which  is  reliable  ;  and  that  when 
truth  and  justice  are  allowed,  as  they  always  should  be,  to  guide  and 
dictate,  the  task  of  the  historian  is  difficult  and  laborious. 

It  is  hoped,  therefore,  that  those  who  see  much  to  criticise  and  little 
to  praise,  as  doubtless  many  will,  may  exercise  sufficient  charity  to 
believe,  that  if  the  work  has  been  but  poorly  or  partially  done,  it  is 
because  the  weight  was  too  heavy  for  the  power,  and  not  from  any  want 
of  purpose  or  lack  of  effort.  Believing,  moreover,  that  merit  and  not 
rank  nor  riches  deserves  our  praise,  and  that  he  who  fought  with  the 
musket  was  just  as  good  as  he  who  commanded  with  the  sword,  it  was 
decided  at  the  outset  that  in  this  history,  at  least,  if  no  where  else,  they 
should  in  every  respect,  so  far  as  possible,  stand  upon  the  same  level. 

For  this  reason  we  have  refused  costly  steel  engravings  of  some  who 
could  afford  it,  because  there  were  many  others  equally  meritorious  who 
could  not  afford  it ;  hence  governors,  generals,  and  colonels,  appear  on  the 
following  pages  dressed  in  a  pictorial  garb  of  the  same  cast,  style,  and 
finish,  as  the  corporal  and  private.  If  there  was  "  favoritism"  in  the 
army,  as  we  cannot  deny,  it  was  because  officers  were  unworthy  of  their 
trust,  and  is  only  an  additional  reason  why  none  of  it  should  be  allowed 
in  the  history  of  any  regiment,  that  justice  at  last  may  be  clone  to  the 
rank  and  file. 

The  biographical  sketches,  though  necessarily  brief,  will  be  found  to 
embody  the  most  important  data  in  the  family  and  war  record,  and  are, 
so  far  as  possible,  arranged  with  the  portrait  engravings,  that  the  reader 
has  the  soldier  and  his  record  before  him,  so  that  he  can  scan  the  one 
and  read  the  other  at  the  same  time. 

We  have  endeavored,  as  far  as  possible,  to  obtain  the  picture  of  every 
member  of  the  regiment,  and  if  many  do  not  appear  in  this  work  it  is 
because  of  no  fault  of  the  author.  In  his  efforts  to  do  full  justice  to  his 
fellow-comrades,  he  has  ofttimes  been  discouraged  at  the  magnitude  of 
the  undertaking,  and  the  careful  research  necessary  to  a  faithful  execu 
tion  of  this  trust.  He  sincerely  regrets  that  ill  health,  coupled  with  other 
embarrassing  conditions,  has  in  a  great  measure  crippled  his  best  efforts 
and  long  delayed  the  publication  of  this  book. 

The  author,  in  conclusion,  wishes  especially  to  express  his  most  sincere 
thanks  and  gratefully  acknowledged  obligations  to  the  committee,  and 
especially  to  Capt.  E.  F.  Gordon,  with  whose  special  assistance  he  has 
been  aided  in  bringing  this  volume  to  its  final  close.  He  also  extends  his 
kindest  thanks  to  all  those  who  have  in  any  way  helped  him  in  his  work. 

A.  W.  BARTLETT. 


CFI/IPTER 


CHAPTER   I. 

Enlistment  of  the  different  companies,  page  7;  controversy  between  Governor  Berry  and  Colonel 
Whipple,  9;  Colonel  Whipple's  address,  13;  first  man  killed,  15;  Potter  appointed  colonel,  15;  state 
aid,  allotment,  etc.,  17;  bounties,  19;  verdant  volunteers,  19;  Camp  Belknap,  20. 

CHAPTER   II. 

FROM  CONCORD  TO  FALMOUTH. 

Cooper's  volunteer  refreshment  saloon,  page  24;  strange  death  of  Darius  Robinson,  25;  royal  banquet 
at  Washington  with  greasy  coffee,  26;  Arlington  Heights,  Camp  Chase,  27;  change  of  muskets,  28; 
en  route  to  Knoxville  by  rail,  29;  camp  stories,  31 ;  on  sacred  soil,  32;  march  southward,  33;  Star 
vation  Hollow,  33;  sheepish  business,  34;  camp  near  Falmouth,35;  McClellau  removed,  Burnside 
appointed,  35;  thanksgiving  address,  37. 

CHAPTER    III. 

FREDERICKSBURG. 

General  Burnside  assumes  command  of  the  army,  page  38;  move  on  Fredericksburg,  39;  first  shelling, 
41;  perilous  passage  through  the  city,  43;  incidents  of  the  great  battle,  44;  flapjacks  and  honey, 
46;  Companies  C  and  F's  narrow  escape,  49. 

CHAPTER   IV. 

MUD  MARCH  AND  WINTER  AT  FALMOUTH. 

Foreign  intervention  talked  of,  page  53;  visit  of  John  P.  Hale,  53;  mud  march,  54;  Hooker  succeeds 
Burnside,  56;  desertions,  57;  president's  proclamation  of  pardon,  58;  Governor  Berry's  letter,  60; 
Bowman's  address,  61;  the  Twelfth  appear  in  new  suits,  61;  Abraham  Lincoln  visits  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  62;  grand  review,  62;  Twelfth  complimented  by  the  president,  62;  Colonel  Potter  pre 
sented  with  horse,  saddle,  and  bridle,  62;  Colonel  Potter's  short  and  touching  speech,  63. 

CHAPTER   V. 

CHANCELLORSVILLE. 

Forecast  of  the  battle,  page  64;  fighting  Joe  Hooker,  65;  intense  enthusiasm,  65;  the  initiatory  move 
ment,  66;  General  Hooker's  famous  congratulatory  circular,  67;  price  of  clothing  marked  down, 
68;  Captain  Durgin's  sermon,  70;  Chancellor  house,  70;  puzzling  movement  of  the  enemy,  71;  the 
flank  movement  of  General  Jackson,  72;  the  Eleventh  Corps  swept  from  its  position,  73;  Com 
panies  F  and  G  extricated  from  peril,  73;  Hazel  grove,  74;  General  Sickles'  peril,  75;  midnight 
charge,  75;  Chancellor  house  or  Fairview,  76;  the  order  of  battle,  77;  "Forward  Twelfth,"  80; 
battle  rages,  82;  General  Hooker  wounded,  87. 

CHAPTER    VI. 
CHANCELLORSVILLE  -Concluded. 

Last  words  of  General  Whipple,  page  91;  back  to  the  old  camp,  92;  Chaplain  Ambrose  reported  killed,  93; 
Jackson's  death,  94;  Chaplain  Ambrose  arrives  in  camp,  94;  petition  to  Governor  Berry,  94;  Col 
onel  Hall's  letter,  96;  official  reports  of  the  battle,  97;  General  Sickles'  testimony,  104;  C  innrellor 
estate,  104;  Jackson  monument,  107;  afterthoughts  of  Chancellorsville,  108. 


viii  Chapter  Index. 

CHAPTER   VII. 

THE  GETTYSBURG  CAMPAIGN. 

March  to  Hartwood  church,  page  113;  Gum  Springs,  115;  tow  path  march,  116;  General  Hooker  super- 
ceded  by  General  Meade,  118;  Twelfth  in  line  of  battle  near  Emmitsburg  road,  120;  battle  opened, 
121 ;  remarks  of  General  Sickles,  122 ;  Wright's  and  Barksdale's  brigade  crowding  hard,  124 ;  Twelfth 
New  Hampshire  open  fire,  124;  hurled  into  the  vortex  of  battle,  125;  but  a  remnant  left,  126; 
Colonel  Bachelder's  remarks  concerning  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire,  127;  Pickett's  charge,  132; 
Lee's  retreat,  138;  Meade's  mistake,  139;  Lincoln  disappointed,  139;  Captain  Musgrove's  report  of 
Wapping  Heights,  141;  Lee's  army  at  bay  at  Wapping  Heights,  141;  Twelfth  engaged  at  Wapping 
Heights.  Twelfth  on  to  Washington,  142;  only  a  remnant,  143;  sixty-nine  guns  in  stack,  143; 
a  midnight  attack,  144. 

CHAPTER    VIII. 
POINT  LOOKOUT. 

Voyage  to  Point  Lookout,  page  146;  bon-fire  of  old  clothes,  146;  terrible  persecutions  and  exodus  of  the 
"gray  hacks,"  146;  thousands  slain  by  flank  movement,  146;  "dirty  dozen  "  wash  up,  146;  guarding 
prisoners,  147:  "Galvanized  Yanks,"  148;  unique  church  organization,  150;  excommunicated,  151; 
joined  by  the  Fifth,  151;  substitutes,  152;  tribute  to  the  "subs,"  153;  "sub"  killed,  154;  incorrigible 
"subs,"  155;  Second,  Fifth,  and  Twelfth  enjoy  thanksgiving  dinner,  157;  "subs"  and  "rebs"  con 
tinue  to  arrive,  157;  raid  into  Virginia,  158;  home  to  vote,  159;  famous  battle  with  snowballs,  161; 
inspection  by  General  Butler,  161;  contraband  camp,  164;  affecting  incident,  165;  Father  Wil- 
loughby,  166. 

CHAPTER    IX. 

FROM  POINT    LOOKOUT  TO  DRURY'S  BLUFF. 

Facing  the  enemy  again,  page  169;  rendezvous  at  Williamsburg,  169;  the  Twelfth  joins  the  Eighteenth 
Army  Corps,  169;  execution  of  two  deserters,  170;  up  the  James  river,  171;  Army  of  the  James 
on  transports,  172;  City  Point  and  Bermuda  Hundred,  172;  Butler  holds  the  key,  173;  facing  Peters 
burg,  175;  heavy  skirmishing,  176;  General  Butler  misled,  176;  toward  Lempster  Hill,  177;  on  to 
Richmond,  178;  Relay  House,  179;  lull  before  the  storm,  181. 

CHAPTER   X. 

DRURY'S  BLUFF  AND  PORT  WALTHALL. 

Telegraph  wire,  page  182;  rebel  charge,  183;  Heckman  captured,  184;  Colonel  Barker's  letters  on  Drury's 
Bluff,  185;  army  fall  back,  185;  Lieutenant  Clark's  diagram,  186;  Butler  criticized  and  exonerated, 
188;  opinion  of  various  generals,  190;  Port  Walthall,  195. 

CHAPTER   XI. 

COLD  HARBOR. 

On  board  transports,  page  198;  incidents  of  the  voyage,  199;  White  House  landing,  199;  exhausting 
march  to  Cold  Harbor,  200;  at  Cold  Harbor,  201 ;  charge  bayonet,  202;  terrible  slaughter,  203;  Lieu 
tenant  Clark's  diagram  of  field,  204;  description  of  battle  by  George  E.  Place,  206;  after  scenes, 
208;  field  covered  by  our  dead,  209;  drawing  off  the  wounded,  212;  removing  and  burying  dead, 
213;  skillful  sharpshooter,  214;  comments  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Murray,  215;  interesting  incident, 
215;  back  to  the  White  House  landing,  216;  loaded  with  lead,  216;  at  Petersburg  again,  217. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

SIEGE  OF  PETERSBURG. 

Skirmishing  towards  Petersburg,  page  220 ;  enemy's  shells,  221;  charge  on  the  rebel  works,  222;  drum 
mer  boy's  last  message,  222 ;  Chaplain  Ambrose  wounded,  224;  Petersburg  express,  224;  continuous 
firing,  225;  National  Fast  Day  commemorated  with  bullets  instead  of  pulpits,  225;  Colonel  Stead- 
man  breathes  his  last,  225;  swapping  niinies,  226;  explosion  at  City  Point,  226 ;  "\V ho  would  n't  be 
a  soldier,"  227;  Chaplain  Ambrose's  death,  229;  the  "  mine,"  229;  the  failure,  231 ;  comments,  234. 

CHAPTER   XIII. 

BERMUDA   FRONT  AND  CHAPIN'S  FARM  OR  THE  LAST  WINTER  IN  "DIXIE." 

Depleted  ranks,  .  age  236;  friendly  relations,  237;  winter  quarters,  238;  "delusive  dream  "-march,  239; 
cross  the  river,  241 ;  Lieutenant-Colonel  Barker,  242;  send  Twelfth  at  once,  243;  shotted  salutes,  244; 
amusing  incident,  245;  national  election,  246;  attack  on  picket  line,  248;  many  captured,  248;  escape 
of  Sergeant  Bachelor  and  Thompson,  252;  assigned  to  Twenty-fourth  Army  Corps,  253;  Chapin's 
Farm,  251,  Dutch  Gap,  255;  General  Butler  relieved,  256;  Colonel  Potter  goes  on  staff  of  General 
Gibbon,  257;  Mattering  order,  259;  Joseph  Sharp  the  deserter,  262;  Confederacy  crumbling,  263; 
transparent  Confederacy,  264;  rebel  attack  on  Fort  Steadman,  265;  repulse,  265. 


Chapter  Index.  ix 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

CAPTURE  AND  OCCUPATION  OF  RICHMOND. 

"  If  it  takes  all  summer,"  page  267;  assault  ordered  on  enemy's  works,  268;  no  enemy  but  clear  route 
to  Richmond,  269;  "on  to  Richmond  "  is  the  cry,  270;  royal  welcome  by  colored  citizens,  271 ;  city 
burning,  '-'70;  president's  visit,  272;  prisoners  liberated,  273;  Union  army  jubilant,  273;  lengthy 
comments  on  evacuation  and  occupation,  274-289;  Libby  prison,  291;  Nero,  292;  joyful  news,  Lee's 
army  surrenders,  293. 

CHAPTER   XV. 

MANCHESTER  AND  DANVILLE. 

Terrible  news  — Lincoln  assassinated,  page  294;  Captain  Bedee  present, 295;  correspondence  between 
General  Hardie,  Secretary  of  War,  and  Captain  Bedee,  298;  the  Twelfth  moves  to  Danville,  Va.,  300; 
Colonel  Barker,  by  general  order,  assumes  command  of  Post,  301;  administering  the  oaths  and 
feeding  the  people,  304;  widespread  destitution,  306;  welcome  order  from  secretary  of  war  for 
muster  out,  308;  testimonial  to  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  Regiment  by  the  citizens,  312;  on  board 
steamer  for  home,  313;  in  the  cradle  of  liberty  at  the  "hub,"  315;  on  to  New  Hampshire,  315;  the 
Granite  State  welcomes  home  her  veteran  soldiers,  315 ;  from  Nashua  to  Concord  a  continual  ova 
tion,  315;  last  casualty  in  the  regiment,  316;  General  Devens'  eulogistic  letter,  317;  Camp  Gilmore, 
318;  Colonel  Barker's  farewell  address,  319;  paid  off,  319. 

CHAPTER    XVI. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Dedication  of  monument,  page  321 ;  dedicatory  poem,  323 ;  dedicatory  address,  325 ;  presentation  address, 
330;  reunions,  331 ;  Woodbury  Sanborn's  memorial  stone,  337;  presentiments  and  visions,  340;  the 
"boys, "354;  rank  and  rile,  359;  heroism  and  terrorism,  364;  the  light  of  experience,  368;  "Old  Tom," 
369;  a  box  from  home,  370;  drum  corps,  371 ;  history  of  the  colors,  374;  signal  service,  380;  the  Union 
volunteer,  387;  chances  and  changes  of  war,  389. 

CHAPTER    XVII. 

EXPERIENCES,  ANECDOTES,   AND  INCIDENTS. 

Loading  up,  page  391 :  how  he  was  mustered  in,  393;  the  awkward  squad,  394;  his  last  inspection, 
395;  "Halt,"  396;  slightly  previous,  397;  set  him  up  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business,  397;  adding 
insult  to  injury,  397:  chickens  for  breakfast,  398;  the  peddler —  a  spy,  399;  who  stole  the  colonel's 
beans?  399;  a  narrow  escape  or  fifty  miles'  tramp  within  the  enemy's  lines,  400;  the  bitter  with  the 
sweet, 400;  "Camp  Corporal,"  401;  "tail  end  tu,"  402;  good  eaters  but  poor  fighters,  403 ;  rabbits  and 
bloodhounds,  404;  a  new  general,  404;  long  roll,  404;  incidents  of  Fredericksburg,  405 ;  a  frightful 
leap,  406;  too  big  for  his  clothes,  406;  cold  water  joke,  407;  influence  of  the  moon,  407;  incidents  of 
Chancellorsville,  408, 409 ;  Shakespeare  on  the  battle-line,  410;  wanted  more  juice,  411 ;  "  No,  I  thank 
you,"  411 ;  "  this  is  military,"  412 ;  a  sharp  reminder,  412 ;  good  pluck,  413 ;  the  grumbler,  414 ;  distance 
across  the  river,  414 ;  "  a  pound  of  pluck  is  worth  a  ton  of  luck,"  415 ;  the  cherry  picker,  415 ;  incident 
at  Gettysburg, 416;  diplomatic,  416;  what  he  was  there  for,  417;  doughnuts,  417;  April  fool  pies,  418; 
Point  Lookout,  418;  pointed  answer,  419;  snowball  battle,  420;  her  prayer  answered,  420;  the  shaver 
shaved,  421 ;  how  to  do  it,  422;  "what  are  you  dodging  at,"  422;  South  Carolina  versus  Massachusetts, 
423;  Christian  patriotism,  423;  didn't  catch  it,  424;  "little  too  close,"  425;  almost  a  prisoner,  425 ; 
appearances  are  deceitful,  426;  "a  slight  clip"  of  dry  wit,  427;  "two  horses  and  a  nigger,"  428; 
"another  can  of  strawberries,"  428;  picked  up  the  wrong  chap,  428;  his  ordnance  return,  429;  a 
timely  protest,  429;  "got  my  bait  with  me, "429;  "two  balls  and  a  ramrod,"  430;  foraging  between 
the  lines,  430;  "aright-eyed  squint,"  431;  duty  and  danger,  432;  the  death  of  poor  Clipper,  433;  sig 
nal  confab  with  General  Butler,  433;  "What's  in  a  name?"  434;  one  shot  was  enough,  435; 
braver  to  send  than  receive,  436;  that  stiimp,  437;  how  he  saved  his  money  and  his  life,  438;  all  the 
same,  439;  in  rebel  prisons,  440;  the  history  of  a  five-cent  piece,  440;  what  he  had  come  for,  441; 
why  it  wouldn't  draw,  442;  a  story  of  the  picket  line,  443;  a  soldier's  prayer,  445;  didn't  wait  for 
another,  445;  concluded  to  try  him,  445;  saved  his  head,  447;  his  last  game  of  cards,  447;  how  he  got 
out  of  it,  447;  General  Weitzel  to  Dr.  Fowler,  450;  still  patriotic,  450;  they  troubled  his  dreams, 
450;  "three  hundred  dollars  and  a  cow,"  451;  quicker  lost  than  found,  454;  Abraham  Lincoln's 
greatness,  454;  married  her  "just  the  same,"  455;  whiskey,  457;  "Boney,"458;  "couldn't  play 
with  knapsacks  on,"  459;  Libby,  and  how  we  got  out  of  it, 460. 

q 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

PORTRAITS  AND  SKETCHES.  t  . 

Field  and  staff,  pages  476-484 ;  Company  A,  485-508 ;  Company  B,  508-541 ;  Company  C,  541-569 ;  Company 
D,  569-600 ;  Company  E,  600-622. 


Chapter  Index. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

PORTRAITS  AND  SKETCHES  -Continued. 

Company  F,  622-650:  Company  G,  650-676;  Company  H,  676-696;  Company  I,  696-717 ;  Company  K,  717-739; 
sketches  of  Winsor  P.  Huntress,  George  H.  Fowler,  and  Woodbury  Sanborn,  740:  unknown,  742. 

CHAPTER    XX. 
CONCLUSION. 

Roll  of  Honor,  743-745;  list  of  wounded  by  companies  and  battles,  746;  comparative  table  of  loss  in  New 
Hampshire  regiments,  747;  table  of  greatest  loss  by  any  New  Hampshire  regiment  in  its  two  largest 
battles,  748;  "New  Hampshire  Mountaineers,"  749;  addenda  and  errata,  750;  abbreviations,  751, 752; 
roster,  following  page  753. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


FRONTISPIECE. 

The  Chancellor  House       .         .  Opposite  page  107 

A  Johnny  Reb 147 

The  Twelfth  Regiment  Monument  at  Gettysburg    . 

Woodlwry  San  born  Memorial  Stone         .         .  ^~ 

Regimental  Colors 

The  Cobb  Hill  Signal  Tower     . 

Portraits  of  Field  and  Staff        .         .  l^ges  476, 483 

Portraits  by  Companies     ....  487-739 

Portraits  of  Huntress,  Fowler,  and  Sanborn      .  Page  741 

Portraits  of   unknown '4- 


INTRODUCTION. 


terrible  storm  which  was  to  test  the  permanency  of  our  republican 
form  of  government,  and  show  to  the  world  how  deeply  rooted  is  the 
tree  of  liberty  in  its  native  soil,  had,  after  often  repeated,  but  long 
unheeded  warnings,  broke  in  all  its  force  and  fury  upon  us  ;  and  the 
final  struggle  for  supremacy  between  freedom  and  slavery,  no  longer  to 
be  put  off  by  concession  or  compromise,  had  at  last  come. 

The  Union  forces  of  the  West  had  swept  every  thing  before  them  from 
Missouri's  northern  border  to  Nashville,  Tennessee,  while  the  main  army 
around  Washington,  after  its  valuable  lesson  at  Bull  Run,  had  so 

O 

increased  in  numbers  and  improved  in  discipline  that  it  only  seemed 
necessary  for  the  "  Young  Napoleon  " — as  McClellan  was  then  called  by 
some  of  his  admirers — to  give  the  command  and  Richmond  was  ours. 

So  confident  was  the  public  mind  of  the  North,  that  when  the  next 
"  on  to  Richmond  "  was  sounded  at  the  head  of  the  great,  grand  army  of 
the  Potomac,  already  impatient  to  be  led  forward,  that  it  would  march 
swiftly  into  the  Confederate  capital  and  to  final  victory,  that  Henry  Wil 
son  stated  upon  the  floor  of  the  Senate  chamber  that  he  believed  the 
rebellion  was  virtually  suppressed,  and  orders  were  issued  from  the  War 
Department  that  no  more  volunteers  would  be  received,  as  the  troops 
already  enrolled  were  sufficient  to  overcome  all  armed  resistance  to  the 
legal  authority  of  the  Government. 

But  another  sad  lesson  of  disastrous  experience  for  the  Nation  had  yet 
to  be  learned. 

To  capture  the  rebel  capital  and  defend  our  own,  at  the  same  time, 
was  a  greater  task  for  the  military  power  in  the  field  than  had  been  antic 
ipated  ;  and  the  want  of  more  troops  soon  demanded  serious  attention  in 
the  defeat  of  McClellan  upon  the  peninsula,  and  the  retreat  of  what 
remained  of  his  once  powerful  army  to  the  cover  of  our  gun-boats  at 
Harrison's  Landing. 

It  was  now  evident  that  the  "  irrepressible  conflict,"  so  long  feared,  had 
indeed  commenced ;  and  that  the  end  could  only  be  reached  through 
years  of,  hitherto,  uncounted  sacrifice. 


2  '  "  History  of  the    Twelfth  Regiment 

The  first  great  mistake  of  the  Government,  in  refusing  to  accept  of 
more  volunteers,  instead  of  making  the  stupendous  preparation  so  wisely 
advised  by  Stephen  A.  Douglas  by  allowing  the  recruiting  offices  to 
remain  open,  and  mobilizing  the  voluntary  accessions  to  the  army,  as 
rapidly  as  possible,  was  now  only  too  apparent. 

With  fifty  thousand  fresh  troops  to  have  reinforced  McClellan  in  front 
of  Richmond,  or  to  have  taken  the  place  of  those  withheld  from  him  for 
the  protection  of  Washington,  nearly  three  years  of  carnage  and 
desolation  would  probably  have  been  averted. 

But  recruits  and  not  regrets  were  now  demanded  by  the  exigency  of 
the  hour,  and  from  the  undiscouraged  and  still  more  determined  patriots 
of  the  loyal  states,  upon  every  breeze  from  mountain-side,  hill-top  and 
valley,  from  the  cities  of  the  East  and  the  prairies  of  the  West,  from  the 
office,  the  work-shop,  and  the  farm,  came  the  ready,  hearty,  and  enthusi 
astic  response  to  the  President's  proclamation  : 

"We  are  coming,  Father  Abraham,  three  hundred  thousand  more." 

Close  following  this  call  and  led  by  the  indomitable  Jackson  came  the 
advance  of  Lee's  victorious  legions  in  his  first  great  raid  into  the  North, 
defeating  in  detail  the  disconnected  fragments  of  Pope's  Army,  and 
finally  driving  it  back  inside  the  fortifications  of  Washington. 

It  was  the  midnight  hour  of  the  Nation's  trial  and  conflict,  and  the  sen 
tinels,  on  her  watch-towers  of  freedom,  looked  vainly  into  the  surround 
ing  darkness  for  a  single  sign  of  coming  day. 

Although  the  situation  was  critical  and  the  demand  urgent,  relief  was 
coming  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific ;  and  trembling  fear  at  once 
changed  to  rugged  resolution  when,  from  the  ready  supply,  it  was  no 
longer  doubtful  to  the  administration  at  Washington,  that  the  loyal  North 
intended  to  stand  by  and  support  their  chosen  leader, — whose  great  mind 
and  heart  thought  and  beat  only  for  his  country, — and  that  the  patriotism 
of  the  people  was  again  aroused  and  equal  to  any  emergency. 

It  was  at  this  time  and  under  this  call,  which  Congress  had  authorized 
President  Lincoln  to  make,  for  the  immediate  enlistment  of  three  hundred 
thousand  more  troops  to  serve  for  three  years  or  the  war,  while  rebel  bay 
onets  again  threatened  the  National  Capitol,  and  when  England  and 
France  were  almost  ready  to  announce  their  recognition  of  the  Southern 
Confederacy,  that  the  Twelfth  regiment  of  New  Hampshire  volunteers 
was  raised  and  organized. 

It  was,  indeed,  a  call  for  help  in  the  hour  of  the  Nation's  most  direful 
need ;  and  those  who  answered  it,  coming  as  they  did  from  the  best  class 
of  American  citizenship,  had  everything  but  personal  honor  to  lose,  and 
nothing  but  a  soldier's  grave  to  gain. 

Those  who  enlisted  under  this  call  came  from  the  great,  middle-class 
body  of  the  people  which  in  every  country  constitutes  the  grand,  reserve 
power  of  a  nation. 


New  Hampshire    Volunteers,  3 

They  belonged,  largely,  to  the  more  reliable,  sell-dependent  and  con 
servative  element  of  society  ;  who,  having  more  to  lose,  hesitate  longer 
to  act,  and  carefully  count  the  cost  before  they  engage  in  any  under 
taking  that  is  to  hazard  the  well  being  and  future  happiness  of  those 
dependent  upon  them  for  counsel,  comfort,  and  support. 

Again  it  may  be  truly  said,  that  the  volunteers  of  '62,  who  enlisted 
before  the  large  town  bounties  were  offered,  had,  as  a  rule,  not  only  more 
to  sacrifice,  but  much  less  to  encourage  them,  than  those  who  enlisted  at 
a  much  earler  or  later  period  of  the  war. 

Though  no  more,  perhaps,  to  be  praised  or  honored  than  they  who 
went  forth  in  defence  of  their  country  at  her  first  call  for  assistance,  yet 
they  enlisted  with  no  foolish  belief  that  sixty  or  ninety  days  would  end 
the  conflict ;  but  entered  the  lists  "  for  three  years  or  the  war,"  when  it 
was  evident  that  two  or  three  years  longer,  instead  of  as  many  months 
from  the  beginning,  were  necessary  for  the  Government  to  crush  out,  if 
it  ever  could,  a  rebellion  so  great  and  powerful  that  its  armies  had  been 
successful  on  almost  every  important  battlefield,  and  which  then,  as  never 
before,  threatened  our  political  existence. 

The  first  call  of  April  15,  1861,  for  seventy-five  thousand  men  to  serve 
for  only  three  months,  while  congress  by  the  same  proclamation  was  not 
convened  until  nearly  three  months  later,  shows  how  little  even  Lincoln 
himself,  with  all  his  constitutional  advisers,  understood  either  the  purpose 
or  the  power  of  the  seceeding  states ;  and  those  who  so  quickly  and 
nobly  responded  to  that  call,  sharing  in  the  general  belief  that  there  was 
"  more  scare  than  bear "  in  the  threatening  attitude  of  the  South,  and 
that  the  war  would  begin  and  end  in  South  Carolina,  rushed  with  light 
hearts,  as  well  as  swift  feet  and  ready  hands,  to  the  rescue. 

And  this  was  true,  only  in  a  less  degree,  of  those  who  enlisted  under 
subsequent  calls,  but  before  Gen.  McClellan  led  his  marshalled  legions 
of  the  North  against  the  Sevastopol  of  the  Rebellion. 

But  when,  a  few  months  later,  congress  authorized  the  raising  and 
equipping  of  half  a  million  more  men  as  necessary  to  reinforce  our  armies 
in  the  field,  while  McClellan  lay  supinely  on  the  bank  of  the  James,  pro 
tected  from  capture  only  by  the  good  service  of  our  iron-clad  gun-boats 
and  monitors,  and  Pope,  with  "  headquarters  in  the  saddle,"  was  fighting 
night  and  day  to  keep  the  rebel  general  Jackson  from  marching  his 
troops  down  Pennsylvania  Avenue,  there  was  a  far  different  shading  to 
the  picture,  and  "  war's  grim-visaged  front"  appeared  in  all  its  horrors, 
as  a  present,  actual,  and  tangible  reality. 

It  is  not  claimed,  however,  that  every  one  who  enlisted  at  this  or  any 
other  time  during  the  war  was  a  hero,  a  patriot,  or  even  a  man,  in  the 
true  and  honorable  sense  of  the  word  ;  for  the  future  conduct  of  many 
was  proof,  conclusive,  that  a  soldier's  grave  was  one  of  the  few  safe 
places  they  never  expected  or  intended  to  fill,  unless  it  should  be  dug  in 
Canada  or  elsewhere,  many  miles  from,  or  many  years  after  the  war. 


4  History  of  the   Twelfth  Regiment. 

But  it  is  claimed,  and  the  author  of  the  following  poor  tribute  to  their 
memory  does  here  affirm  (inconsiderate  fools,  stay-at-home  cowards,  and 
,  contemptible  copper-heads  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding),  that  a  great 
majority  of  all  the  Union  volunteers,  under  whatever  call  or  from  what 
ever  section  they  enlisted,  did  so  actuated  by  high,  honorable,  and  patri 
otic  motives,  differing,  of  course,  in  quality  and  degree,  according  to  per 
sons,  times  and  circumstances. 


CHAPTER  I. 


The  Twelfth  Regiment  has  a  history  of  more  than  general  interest,  even 
from  its  very  beginning  as  a  military  organization. 

When,  on  the  second  day  of  July,  1862,  the  call  for  three  hundred 
thousand  more  men,  to  serve  for  three  years  or  the  war,  was  made,  it  was 
supposed  that  many  of  those  recruits,  especially  the  first  enlisting,  would 
be  used  to  fill  up  the  decimated  ranks  of  the  regiments  already  in  the  field. 

With  this  impression,  Col.  George  W.  Stevens,  of  Laconia,  foreseeing 
the  great  inducement  and  many  advantages  for  men  and  boys,  who  had 
lived  and  been  brought  up  together  as  neighbors  and  acquaintances,  to 
enlist  and  serve  together,  not  only  as  members  of  the  same  regiment,  but 
comrades  and  tent-mates  of  the  same  company,  wisely  conceived  the  idea 
of  raising  a  regiment  in  Belknap  county  and  bordering  towns  ;  the  com 
panies  to  be  enlisted,  as  nearly  full  as  possible,  from  the  different  centre- 
sections  of  the  population. 

This  plan  being  readily  acceded  to  by  Col.  Thomas  J.  Whipple  and 
other  leading  men  of  the  county,  to  whom  it  was  submitted,  it  was  de 
cided,  in  order  to  successfully  inaugurate  the  idea  and  awaken  the  public 
mind  to  a  clear  sense  of  the  necessity  as  well  as  the  duty  of  the  hour,  to 
call  and  hold  a  grand  war  meeting  at  the  North  Church,  in  Laconia. 

The  meeting  was  advertised  for  the  evening  of  Friday,  July  25,  1862  ; 
and  long  before  sunset,  teams  were  coming  in  from  every  direction  ;  and 
when,  at  half-past  seven,  it  was  called  to  order  by  W.  N.  Blair,  Esq.,  the 
house  was  crowded — many  being  unable  to  get  in — \vith  men  and  women 
from  almost  every  town  in  the  county.  Col.  Charles  Lane  presided,  and 
after  a  fervent  prayer  by  Dr.  Young,  speeches  were  made  by  Gov.  Berry, 
who  had  been  invited,  Col.  Peter  Sanborn,  Hon.  Larkin  D.  Mason,  Cols. 
Stevens  and  Whipple,  W.  N.  Blair,  Esq.,  Hon.  Warren  Lovell,  Dr.  Nahum 
Wight,  and  others,  all  earnestly  eloquent  and  patriotic,  and  received  with 
that  responsive  enthusiasm  that  left  no  doubt  but  one  or  two  regiments 
could  be  raised  in  Belknap  county  alone,  if  found  necessary. 

Col.  Lane,  upon  taking  the  chair,  said  : 

Gentlemen :  We  have  met  this  evening  to  consider  our  duty  to  our 
country,  now  in  a  condition  that  we  never  expected,  in  our  day.  to  realize 
or  behold. 

Strength  and  wisdom  are  required  to  carry  us  through  this  dreadful  trial 
of  civil  war,  and  we  are  ready  to  ask  counsel  of  our  ablest  men. 


6  History  of  the    Twelfth  Regiment 

We  have  heard  that  our  President  is  an  honest  man  and  we  trust  that 
he  is  ;  but  one  thing  we  are  certain  of,  for  many  of  us  are  personally 
acquainted  with  our  Governor  and  know  him  to  be  honest  and  honorable. 
He  will  explain  the  situation  to  us  this  evening. 

Gov.  Berry  was  received  with  approbation,  and  listened  to  as  one  upon 
whose  words  of  advice  and  promise  they  could  safely  act  and  rely.  He 
spoke  at  considerable  length  of  the  critical  situation  of  the  country,  the 
depleted  condition  of  our  armies  in  the  field,  and  the  absolute  necessity  of 
supplying  this  want,  by  an  immediate  and  patriotic  response  to  the  call 
that  had  just  been  made,  by  the  President,  for  three  hundred  thousand 
more  volunteers  to  assist  in  maintaining  the  laws  of  the  land  and  saving 
our  free  institutions  for  generations  to  come.  He  believed  that  while  our 
only  hope  was  in  the  patriotism  of  the  people,  that  hope  would  not  fail  us, 
but  carry  us  triumphantly  onward  over  every  obstacle,  and  through  every 
trial  to  a  final  victory. 

Col.  Whipple  was  next  called  upon  and  was  greeted  with  enthusiastic 
cheers.  He  spoke  substantially  as  follows  : 

My  Friends :  I  want  you  to  appreciate  if  you  can  the  magnitude  of 
this  crisis.  We  have  just  been  called  upon  for  three  hundred  thousand 
men  and  a  thousand  millions  of  treasure,  but  the  end  is  not  yet.  It  is  to 
be  followed  by  more  men  and  more  money,  and  when  the  last  man  and 
the  last  dollar  has  fallen  and  been  expended,  that  dear  and  glorious  old 
flag  (pointing  to  the  stars  and  stripes)  has  been  preserved  at  a  cheap  price. 
I  should  be  ashamed  to  survive  this  contest.  I  ask  no  higher  glory  than 
the  privilege  to  add  mv  name  to  the  long  list  of  heroes  who  shall  give 

1  c5  */  O  O 

their  lives  for  their  country  in  this  great  struggle  for  the  Union  and  the 
Constitution.  If  I  address  a  man  here  to-night  who  would  even  dodge  a 
bullet  that  could  not  find  its  way  against  this  hell-born  rebellion,  but 
through  his  own  heart,  he  is  a  coward  and  does  not  deserve  the  protection 
of  the  old  flag.  The  hour  demands  the  sacrifice,  and  who  shall  be  base 
enough  to  withhold? 

As  for  one,  I  now  offer  my  life,  my  property,  my  all,  to  the  support  and 
preservation  of  our  common  country. 

Peter  Sanborn,  state  treasurer,  was  now  introduced,  but  his  naturally 
excitable  temperament  had  been  so  charged  by  the  electric  eloquence  of 
the  last  speaker,  that  his  tongue,  trying  to  vibrate  in  unison  with  his  emo 
tions,  was  too  rapid  for  anything  but  a  phonograph,  which  not  being  then 
invented,  no  record  of  his  speech,  not  even  from  memory,  remains.  It 
was  an  impassioned  effusion,  characteristic  of  the  man,  whose  whole  heart 
was  in  the  cause  ;  but,  to  use  the  words  of  one  who  listened,  "served  bet 
ter  as  a  relish  to  the  other  proceedings,  than  as  a  set  dish  in  the  regular 
course."  He  closed  his  appeal  by  offering  ten  dollars  each  to  the  first  ten 
men  who  would  enlist,  giving  and  advising  them  to  take  time  to  consider 
and  counsel  with  their  parents,  wives  and  sweethearts,  if  they  had  any, 
before  deciding.  A  day  or  two  after  several  accepted  the  offer,  and  en 
listed  as  soon  as  the  enlisting  papers  were  ready  for  them  to  sign. 


Hampshire    Volunteers.  7 

Larkin  D.  Mason,  of  Tamworth,  who  was  afterward  state  agent  to  look 
after  the  sick  and  wounded  at  the  front,  and  thus  instrumental  in  saving 
many  lives,  was  another  of  the  leading  speakers.  He  was  an  ardent  sup 
porter  of  the  Administration,  and  when  Lincoln  was  nominated  at  Chicago, 
said  that  he  believed  "that  the  convention  must  have  been  inspired."  On 
this  occasion  he  said  that  he  stood  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  largest  families 
in  the  state  ;  but  he  would  rather  sacrifice  every  other  child  by  lot,  and  let 
the  remaining;  ones  have  the  benefit  of  the  dear  old  flag,  than  to  have  them 

o  c? 

all  survive  with  no  stars  and  stripes  to  protect  them.  He  thought 
Abraham  Lincoln  was  called  to  the  most  critical  position  ever  occupied 
since  Washington,  and  that  their  relative  positions  were  well  described  by 
the  poet : 

r  'T  was  great  to  speak  a  world  from  naught, 
But  greater  to  redeem." 

Washington  brought  from  chaos  the  first  successful  republic,  but  oppress 
ors  had  prostituted,  and  were  then  seeking  to  destroy  it.  But  the  mission 
of  Lincoln  was  to  restore  it  to  its  primitive  purity,  and  make  it  conform  to 
the  Declaration  of  Independence.  He  had  no  doubt  of  the  final  result. 

The  speeches  of  Col.  Stevens,  Dr.  Wight,  Lovell,  and  others  that  fol 
lowed  were  all  noble  and  patriotic  appeals  to  manhood,  honor  and  duty, 
and  added  new  fuel  to  the  flame  already  kindled. 

Such  were  the  tocsin  notes,  sounded  along  the  shores  of  the  Winnipise- 
ogee,  echoing  and  re-echoing  amid  the  surrounding  hills  and  mountains, 
and  reverberating  up  and  down  the  valleys  of  her  contributary  streams, 
that  called  together,  as  if  by  almost  magic  power,  a  thousand  stalwart 
youth  and  hardy  mountaineers,  so  quickly  for  the  camp,  as  to  hardly  be 
equalled  in  the  whole  history  of  the  war. 

It  was  at  this  meeting  that  Col.  Stevens  first  made  public  his  design  of 
raising  the  Twelfth  regiment,  and,  in  behalf  of  the  people  of  the  county, 
offered  the  same  to  the  Governor,  ready  for  muster,  within  ten  days ; 
provided  it  should  have  the  privilege  of  choosing  its  own  officers — field, 
staff,  and  company — and  be  allowed  to  keep  its  distinctive  organization 
as  a  regiment,  so  long  as  it  should  remain  in  the  service. 

This  proposition,  being  afterwards  formally  submitted  to  the  Governor 
and  Council,  was  accepted  ;  and  on  the  twelfth  day  of  August,  1862,* 
the  necessary  enlisting  papers  were  issued  by  the  Adjutant-General,  and 
the  work  was  at  once  commenced  with  a  will  and  determination  worthy 
of  the  cause. 

Col.  Whipple,  who  seemed  the  man  best  fitted  by  education  and 
experience  to  carry  out  the  plan  so  ably  originated  by  his  patriotic  com 
peer,  entered  heart  and  soul  into  the  effort ;  and  with  that  inspiring  elo 
quence  which  the  orator  can  only  reach  when  the  cause  and  the  occasion 

*  The  Adjutant-General's  record  uf  the  "  tenth, ''  which  was  Sunday,  is  incorrect. 


8  History  of  the    Twelfth  Regiment 

demands,  exerted  a  powerful  influence  throughout  the  many  towns  in 
which  he  spoke  night  and  day,  in  his  memorable  circuit  around  the  lake, 
leaving  a  continuous  line  of  recruits  falling  in  behind  him. 

So  rapidly  were  the  enlisting  papers  made  out  and  signed,  that  hardly 
had  three  score  and  ten  hours  elapsed  before  returns  from  the  recruiting 
offices  of  the  different  companies  footed  up  an  aggregate  so  near  the 
requisite  number,  that  it  has  been  claimed  by  some  that  the  regiment  was 
raised  in  three  days.  According  to  the  best  authority  now  available, 
enlisting  did  not  commence  until  the  afternoon  of  Tuesday,  the  i2th  day 
of  August;  and  sometime  in  the  afternoon  of  the  next  Saturday,  Col. 
Stevens  sent  a  telegram  to  Adjutant-General  Colby,  that  enough  men  had 
enlisted  for  a  battalion  of  ten  full  companies.  It  must  not  be  understood, 
however,  that  all  the  men  of  the  regiment  enlisted  between  the  dates 
above  given  ;  for  a  few,  whose  names  are  found  on  the  general  roster, 
enlisted  at  an  earlier  date,  intending  and  expecting  to  go  in  the  Tenth  or 
Eleventh  regiment ;  while  quite  a  number,  who  enlisted  later  than  the  i6th, 
took  the  place  of  those  who  were  rejected  by  the  examining  surgeon  and 
mustering  officer,  or  of  those  who  had  enlisted  for  the  Twelfth,  but  went  in 
some  of  the  later  regiments,  because  those  who  enlisted  them  did  not  get 
elected  to  such  official  positions  as  they  thought  the  number  of  their 
respective  squads  entitled  them. 

Nearly  a  whole  company  that  had  enlisted  for  the  Twelfth  in  Sandwich, 
and  chosen  their  officers,  afterward  went  in  the  Fourteenth  regiment. 

Thus  in  about  four  days  a  full  regiment  of  the  hardy  yeomanry  of 
New  Hampshire,  who  were  destined  to  make  for  themselves  a  name  and 
fame  as  enduring  as  their  own  granite  hills,  sprung  into  numerical  and 
potential  existence. 

On  the  26th  of  August,  the  line  officers  who  had  been  previously 
chosen  by  their  respective  companies,  met  at  Morrison's  Hall  in  Laconia 
and  elected  the  regimental  field  and  staff  officers,  all  of  whom  were 

~ 

afterward  commissioned  by  the  Governor,  except  Thomas  J.  Whipple  lor 
Colonel,  George  W.  Stevens  for  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  Dr.  George 
Montgomery  for  2d  Assistant  Surgeon  ;  the  place  of  the  latter  being  after 
ward  filled  by  Dr.  John  II.  Sanborn  of  Meredith. 

When  it  was  known  that  the  Governor  had  refused  to  commission  Col. 
Whipple  to  command  the  regiment,  there  was,  among  the  enlisted  mem 
bers  and  their  friends,  a  strong  feeling  of  dissatisfaction  which,  with 
many,  soon  ripened  into  bitter  resentment. 

It  was  claimed,  with  much  truth  and  reason,  that  the  regiment  was 
raised  upon  the  express  agreement  that  it  should  be  allowed  to  choose  its 
own  officers ;  and,  from  the  very  beginning,  the  intention  and  under 
standing  had  been  general  and  out-spoken,  as  the  Governor  himself  was 
aware,  that  Col.  Whipple  was  to  command  it  when  organized  and  ready 
for  service  ;  that  there  was  no  other  man  in  the  state  so  well  fitted,  by 
nature  and  experience,  for  that  position  as  he  ;  and  that  to  withhold  his 


New  Hampshire    Volunteers.  9 

commission  was  not  only  a  great  wrong  to  Col.  Whipple  and  the  men 
who  had  unanimously  elected  him,  but  an  act  of  bad  faith  on  the  part  of 
the  chief  executive  himself. 

In  reply  to  this,  Gov.  Berry  claimed  that  in  refusing  to  commission  Col. 
Whipple  he  was  acting  for  what  he  believed  to  be  for  the  best  interests  of 
the  regiment ;  that  while  the  risk  was  theirs,  the  responsibility  was  his  ; 
and  that  he  could  not  surrender  his  conscientious  convictions  of  duty  to 
anv  request  or  demand  of  friend  or  foe.  He  indignantly  repelled  the 
insinuations  that  he  was  influenced  by  either  personal  or  political  motives  ; 
and  to  the  charge  of  bad  faith,  said  that  it  was  not  only  well  understood, 
but  in  the  "  letter  of  the  bond,"  that  the  choice  of  officers  by  the  regi 
ment  should  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Governor  and  his  Council  ; 
and  that  he  had  told  the  first  one  who  had  ever  suggested  his  name,  that 
he  could  and  would  not  commission  Col.  Whipple  to  command  the 
regiment. 

The  reasons  given,  which  were  purely  prudential — the  question  of 
competency  being  conceded — were  not  sufficient,  however,  to  satisfy  the 
men  who  would  listen  to  no  name  or  claim  but  Whipple's.  Petitions  and 
remonstrances,  by  tens  and  scores,  signed  by  officers  and  men  of  the 
different  companies  and  citizens  of  localities  where  they  were  raised, 
with  many  letters  from  influential  men  in  every  part  of  the  county  and 
other  sections  of  the  state,  were  sent  in  and  piled  upon  the  Executive 
table,  all  asking  that  Col.  Whipple  be  commissioned  colonel  of  the  regi 
ment  or  remonstrating  against  the  Governor's  refusal  so  to  do.  The 
large  number  of  these  papers,  still  to  be  seen  filed  away  in  the  Adjutant- 
General's  office,  are  mute  but  convincing  witnesses  of  the  great  pressure 
brought  to  bear  upon  Gov.  Berry  to  move  him  from  his  negative  position, 
and  get  him  to  comply  with  the  popular  demand  ;  and  they  attest,  with 
equal  force,  how  strong  a  hold  Col.  Whipple  had  upon  the  confidence 
and  admiration  of  that  section  of  the  state  where  he  lived  and  was  best 
known.  So  intense  was  the  feeling  in  the  regiment  against  the 
Governor's  course  that,  at  one  time,  it  needed  but  a  word  to  have  secured 
an  oath-bound  resolution,  from  a  large  majority  of  its  members,  never  to 
leave  the  state  until  Col.  Whipple  should  lead  them  ;  and  had  not  the 
wiser  counsels  of  the  cool-headed  and  law-abiding  men  in  the  ranks  pre 
vailed  over  the  more  excitable  and  less  considerate,  overt  acts  of  mutiny 
would  doubtless  have  been  the  result. 

As  it  was,  an  indolent  sore  was  formed  that  healed  slowly,  long  remained 
irritable  and  tender,  and  left  a  scar  upon  some  that  still  remains. 

The  reasons  why  Stevens,  who  was  every  way  worthy  and  capable, 
was  not  commissioned  colonel  in  place  of  Whipple  were,  to  use  the 
Governor's  own  words,  "  more  than  one."  But  the  only  one  given  by 
him  may  be  understood  from  the  following  :  It  seems  that  Stevens,  findin<>- 

J  o  r? 

that  further  effort  in  behalf  of  Whipple  was  useless,  had,  by  the  advice 
of  his  friends  and  the  earnest  desire  of  Whipple  himself,  consented  to 


I0  History  of  the    Twelfth  Regiment 

accept  the  position  that  the  latter  had  expected  to  fill,  and  to  which  the 
regiment,  naturally  tailing  hack  upon  him  as  their  second  choice,  had 
elected  him  :  and  dipt.  John  F.  Marsh,  of  Nashua,  who  had  been  assist 
ing  to  organize  the  regiment,  was  at  the  same  time  elected  as  lieutenant- 
colonel,  and  afterward  received  his  commission. 

In  the  meantime  Gov.  Berry  had  made  arrangements  with  the  Secre 
tary  of  War  to  get  Col.  Potter,  then  a  captain  in  the  regular  army,  to 
command  the  regiment. 

When,  therefore,  the  election  of  Stevens  and  Marsh  was  made  known 
to  him,  he  was  placed  in  an  embarrassing  position;  for  which,  however, 
none  seemed  more  to  blame  than  himself. 

The  regiment  had  made  its  second  choice  in  good  faith,  supposing,  as 
they  had  even-  right  and  reason  to,  that,  if  their  first  choice  was  denied 
them  they  would,  at  least,  have  the  privilege  of  making  another,  instead 
of  having  their  wishes  entirely  ignored. 

It  further  appears  that  the  Governor  acted  without  the  knowledge  or 
consent  of  the  regiment,  although  he  says,  "This  I  supposed  was  known 
to  them." 

But  why  he  should  have  supposed  so,  or  even  so  acted  as  to  have  made 
such  a  supposition  possible,  by  selecting  and  making  efforts  to  secure  a 
new  man,  regardless  of  the  will  or  the  wish  of  those  who  were  to  follow 

O 

and  obey  him  as  their  commanding  officer,  and  in  the  face  of  the  fact 
that  their  promised  choice  he  had  once  seen  fit  to  refuse  them  ;  or  why 
he  did  not  linallv  commission  Stevens  lieutenant-colonel,  instead  of 
Marsh,  are  among  the  many  mysteries  of  the  past. 

And  thus  it  was,  that  what  at  the  beginning  seemed  settled  and  certain, 
within  a  few  short  weeks  went  for  naught ;  and  both  Whipple  and 
Stevens,  who  were  first  and  foremost  in  the  inception  and  raising  of  the 
regiment,  and  who  were  able  and  ambitious  to  win  honored  names  in  the 

o 

service  of  their  countrv,  were  left  in  sad  dissappointment  at  home  ;  while 
the  men,  who  had  twice  elected  them  as  their  commanders,  and  whom 
they  had  so  ardentlv  hoped  and  confidently  expected  to  lead,  went 
marching  onward  to  fields  of  fame  and  glory. 

That  this  was  the  only  instance,  during  the  war,  where  any  special  contro 
versy  arose  between  the  Governor  of  this  state  and  the  enlisted  men  and 
officers  of  a  regiment  as  to  whom  should  be  given  the  commission  to 
command  them,  and  that  this  assumed  such  magnitude  and  engendered 
so  much  bitterness  as  it  did,  is  the  author's  excuse,  if  any  be  needed,  for 
giving  it  so  much  attention.  If  mentioned  at  all,  impartial  justice 
requires  that  both  sides,  in  the  main,  without  improper  personal  allusions, 
be  represented  ;  and  without  mention  the  history  of  the  regiment  would, 
certainly,  be  incomplete. 

Knowing  that  it  is  the  historian's  duty  to  elucidate  rather  than  mystify,  and 
that  to  the  proper  understanding  of  the  merits  of  this  case  too  much  is  nec 
essarily  left  to  inference  and  conjecture,  it  is  but  proper  that  the  reader  should 


New  Hampshire    Volunteers.  n 

know  that,  while  Gov.  Berry  had  strong  reasons  for  opposing  the  will  of 
the  regiment,  and  no  good  reason  has  yet  been  found  for  impugning  his 
motives,  yet  it  is  the  belief  and  opinion  of  many  (including  one  who  has 
recently  heard  both  sides  from  the  lips  of  the  two  principal  parties  in  the 
contest,  and  taken  special  pains  to  investigate),  that  he  should  not  have 
finally  decided  and  actually  refused  to  have  commissioned  Col.  Whipple, 
until  all  his  reasons  for  so  doing  had  first  been  submitted  to  the  regiment 
and  acquiesced  in  by  a  majority  of  its  members. 

That  while  he  acted  conscientiously,  he  allowed  his  firm  convictions  of 
duty  to  partially  blind  him  from  what,  in  the  light  of  surrounding  circum 
stances,  that  duty  should  be ;  taking  an  unwarrantable  responsibility 
upon  himself  and  deferring  too  little  to  the  wishes  and  opinions  of  those 
equally  competent  to  judge,  and  far  more  interested  in  the  result. 

That  a  hearing  of  some  kind  was  not  had,  either  before  the  whole  regiment 
as  a  grand  jury,  or  before  all  its  line  officers,  acting  in  a  representative  capac 
ity,  with  Gov.  Berry  and  Col.  Whipple  both  present  to  accuse  and  answer, 
face  to  face,  so  that  the  whole  truth  could  have  been  elicited,  and  all  the 
facts  fully  understood  ;  and  then  ample  time  given  for  the  regiment  to 
discuss  and  consider  those  facts  before  giving  their  final  verdict,  was,  as 
is  believed,  a  mistake,  without  which  there  might  and  probably  would 
have  been  a  compromise  honorable  and  satisfactory  to  both  parties. 

The  companies,  from  the  different  towns  where  they  were  principally 
raised,  or  in  rendezvous,  went  into  camp  at  Concord  called  "Camp  Bel- 
knap,*'  during  the  last  days  of  August  and  the  first  of  September,  and 
were  soon  after  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  as  follows  :  Cos. 
A  and  B  on  the  3Oth  of  August;  Cos.  C,  D,  E,  and  F,  September  5th  ; 
Cos.  G,  H,  and  I,  September  9th  ;  and  Co.  K,  September  loth. 

Dr.  Hadley  B.  Fowler  of  Bristol,  N.  H.,  who  had  been  chosen  sur 
geon  of  the  regiment,  and  was  the  first  field  or  line  officer  to  receive  his 
sealed  parchment  of  authoritv,  was  selected  by  the  Adjutant-General  to 
act  as  examining  surgeon,  and  passed  or  rejected  every  man  who  pre 
sented  himself  as  a  volunteer  of  the  Twelfth,  except  one  company.  The 
examination,  as  it  should  be,  was  careful  and  thorough  ;  but  such  was 
the  texture  and  soundness  of  the  material  that  but  few  pieces  were 
rejected  as  unfit  for  the  regimental  structure.  After  running  in  single, 
"  undress  "  file  safely  through  the  gauntlet  of  Surgeon  Fowler's  eyes  and 
hands,  each  supposed  himself  all  right  for  the  muster-roll,  but  the  final 
test  was  vet  to  come. 

Capt.  Charles  Holmes,  U.  S.  A.,  was  mustering  officer  at  Concord  at 
that  time,  and  he  required  each  man  to  walk  along  in  front  of  him,  while 
his  sharp  eyes  watched  every  motion  and  scrutinized  every  feature, 
judging  the  fitness  of  the  man  for  the  business  required  of  him  quite  as 
much  from  his  vital  motive  as  his  physical  power. 

He  would  commence  on  the  right  of  the  company,  and  when  it  was 
seen  that  he  began  to  challenge  and  throw  out  some  of  the  men  before. 


1 2  History  of  the   Twelfth  Regiment 

perhaps,  he  had  got  to  the  center,  it  made  some  of  the  smaller  ones,  on 
the  extreme  left,  think  that  their  chances  were  few  and  fast  growing  less  ; 
and  when  their  turn  would  come  to  step  out  and  march  up  the  company 
front,  each  one  did  so,  expecting,  surely,  his  fate  was  sealed.  But  Capt. 
Holmes  was  not  so  green  as  his  subjects,  but  knew  from  experience  that 
it  was  in  the  left  wings  of  the  companies,  instead  of  the  right,  that  the 
toughest  and  most  lasting  material  of  every  regiment  is  found  ;  and  for 
this  reason  it  is,  undoubtedly  true,  that  the  Twelfth  regiment,  with  so 
large  a  number  of  men  above  the  average  size,  suffered  greater  loss  from 
discharge  for  disability  and  sickness  than  many  other  regiments  that  went 
through  equal  hardships  and  exposure. 

After  the  "  boys "  had  received  their  muskets  and  donned  their  uni 
forms,  the}-  looked  and  felt  so  much  more  like  what  they  had  enlisted  to 
be — Uncle  Sam's  body  guard — that  they  all  wanted  their  pictures  taken  in 
their  new  garb  of  army  blue  ;  and  the  city  photographers  were  kept 
busy  in  supplying  this  want  to  the  Twelfth  and  other  regiments  in  camp 
at  that  time  on  the  plains. 

They,  also,  wanted  now  to  visit  their  homes  before  they  left  the  state, 
not  so  much,  however,  to  be  seen  as  they  were  soon  to  appear  in  the 
ranks  of  war,  but  once  more  to  see  the  loved  ones  that  they  must  leave 
behind  ;  to  give  and  receive  the  parting  kiss  and  the  farewell  word  ;  and 
to  look,  perhaps  for  the  last  time,  upon  the  heart-cherished  faces  and 
scenes  of  love  and  home.  This  privilege,  of  course,  was  not  denied, 
and  each  one  received  a  short  furlough  of  two  or  three  days  or  more, 
according  to  the  distance  he  had  to  travel  and  how  much  time  his  busi 
ness  required  before  his  final  leave.  Many  had  left  the  hay  field  to 
enlist,  and  some  enlisted  in  the  field,  standing  in  the  swath  they  were 
cutting  and  wetting  the  papers  that  they  signed  with  the  dropping 
sweat  of  honest  toil.  But  uncut  fields  of  grass  and  grain  were  not  all 
nor  the  most  important  business  that  needed  to  be  looked  after  in  those 
few  short,  precious  days.  There  were  infirm  and  needy  parents,  depend 
ent  wives,  and  helpless  children  that  must  be  provided  for ;  accounts, 
debts,  and  claims  to  be  settled,  paid,  collected,  or  secured  ;  law  suits  to 
be  postponed,  or  compromised  to  save  non-suit  or  default ;  and,  always 
last  in  order,  though  often  first  in  importance,  wills  were  to  be  executed  ; 
lor  although  young,  healthy,  and  strong,  their  mission  was  too  hazardous 
for  thoughtful,  prudent  men  to  leave  the  distribution  of  their  property  to 
the  chances  of  war,  or  the  cold,  unfeeling  law. 

O 

Thursday,  the  i8th  of  September,  was  a  memorable  day  to  the  mem 
bers  of  the  regiment,  and  the  many  friends  and  relatives  that  visited  Camp 
Belknap.  During  the  early  part  of  the  day  many  of  the  roads,  leading 
into  the  city  from  a  northerly  direction,  were  lined  with  carriages,  filled 
with  fathers,  mothers,  brothers,  and  sisters,  near  and  dear  friends,  and 
many  others  more  or  less  intimately  acquainted  with  and  interested  in 
the  "soldier  boy,"  his  happiness  and  welfare.  But  while,  many  conic 


Ne-w  Hampshire    Volunteers  13 

(the  reader  will  excuse  the  misuse  of  the  verb  to  help  the  writer  forget 
time  and  space  and  imagine  himself  the  happy  and  hopeful  drummer 
boy,  once  more  receiving  good  things  to  eat  and  presents  to  keep  from 
loved  ones  on  that  occasion)  by  private  conveyance,  steam  gave  its  aid  to  con 
vey  to  the  state's  capital  three  times  as  many  more — the  Montreal  railroad 
having  twelve  cars  rilled  with  passengers,  most  of  whom  left  the  train  at 
the  depot  for  the  camp  ground  on  the  plains.  Each  family  and  many  of 
the  friends  sent,  or  took  along  with  them,  a  choice  portion  of  home's  best 
supply  to  load  the  tables  the  soldiers  had  prepared,  and  leave  many 
relishable  after-bites  as  a  dessert  to  their  regular  camp  rations. 

After  happy  hours  of  greeting  and  eating  the  regiment  was  paraded  in 
battalion  order  before  the  large  crowd  of  interested,  earnest-gazing 
visitors  (many  of  \vhom  had  never  before  seen  a  thousand  men  in  line, 
and  none  of  whom,  before  or  since,  ever  saw  ten  full,  battle-lined  com 
panies  of  nobler-looking  men),  and  then,  after  this  gratifying  exhibition 
of  themselves,  and  as  quickly  and  well  as  the  officers  and  men  could  at 
that  time  execute  the  movement,  the  line  was  broken  into  divisions  and 
formed  into  a  hollow  square  to  listen  to  an  address  from  Col.  Whipple. 

He  was  greeted  with  six  hearty  cheers,  which,  but  for  a  deprecatory 
gesture  from  him  would  have  been  supplemented  with  at  least  three  more 
and  a  "  tiger,"  all  wildly  enthusiastic  and  the  last  terribly  in  earnest,  as 
affording  the  men  a  chance  to  give  audible  vent  to  their  feelings  in  imi 
tation  of  that  animal  when  baffled  to  madness  in  pursuit  of  his  prey. 

His  eloquent  and  patriotic  address,  as  reported  at  the  time,  was  as 
follows  : 

Fellow  Soldiers:  I  am  deeply  sensible  of  this  cordial  welcome.  Past 
experience  has  made  me  too  familiar  with  the  fatigues  and  hardships  of 
the  service  to  detain  you  in  your  present  position  with  any  extended 
remarks.  Your  neighbors,  friends,  and  kindred  have  come  here  to-day 
to  offer  you  the  parting  hand,  and  to  take  their  last  leave  before  your 
departure  to  the  field  to  participate  in  the  great  contest,  to  which  you 
have  consecrated  your  lives  and  your  sacred  honor. 

While  our  hearts  glow  with  admiration  in  view  of  the  patriotic  motives 
by  which  you  are  actuated,  we  are  solemnly  reminded  that  this  parting 
with  many  of  us  may  be  the  last.  But  in  times  like  these,  he  who  has  a 
life  to  give  to  his  country  possesses  the  power  to  become  a  hero.  He  is 
indeed  fortunate  who,  amid  the  roaring  of  guns,  the  thundering  of 
cannons,  the  clash  of  sabres,  and  the  trumpet  blast  of  bugles,  descends 
in  glory  to  his  grave  upon  the  field  of  battle.  Well  may  such  a  man  be 
envied,  when  compared  with  him  who  wastes  painfully  away,  and,  unre- 
membered,  surrenders  his  life  in  the  ordinary  course  of  mortality. 
Through  all  the  perils  and  vicissitudes  of  the  service  our  anxieties  and 
sympathies  will  follow  you,  wherever  you  may  go.  We  have  an 
undoubted  faith  in  your  valor  and  your  prowess,  and  confidently  expect 
that  your  achievements  on  every  field  of  battle  will  illustrate  your  name, 
and  till  our  hearts  with  joy  and  exaltation.  If  you  fall,  ours  will  be  a 
proud  sorrow,  untarnished  by  shame.  No  regiment  from  this  state  has 
yet  failed  to  do  its  whole  duty  in  the  day  of  trial.  Look  at  the  glorious 


H  History  of  the    Twelfth  Regiment 

Second,  with  its  decimated  ranks,  its  few  survivors.  We  venerate  those 
who  have  perished  as  martyrs,  sacrificed  upon  the  altar  of  constitutional 
liberty  ;  remembering  the  gallant  Fifth  at  Fair  Oaks,  the  Sixth  at  New- 
burn,'  and  now  the  Ninth,  recently  organized,  like  yourselves,  and 
already  treading  the  path  of  glory  and  of  honor. 

I  had  hoped  at  one  time  to  share  your  dangers,  to  lead  you  in  your 
coming  conflicts,  to  witness  with  pride  your  daring  courage,  and  to  par 
ticipate  in  the  glory  of  your  triumphs  ;  but  this  high  privilege  has  been 
denied  me  by  those\vhose  motives  I  am  not  here  to  question.  ^  They  are  the 
repositories  of  the  public  trust,  and  it  becomes  me  to  acquiesce  in  their 
decisions.  But,  undiscouraged  and  undismayed,  it  is  my  fixed  purpose, 
earnestly  and  faithfully,  in  such  a  manner  as  I  may,  to  serve  my  country 
in  this  a'ppalling  crisis'.  In  times  like  these,  it  becomes  us  to  trample 
private  grievances  under  our  feet  and  lift  up  our  hearts  at  the  demands 
of  patriotism. 

Let  me  earnestly  beseech  you  to  pursue  the  same  course  and  to  cheer 
fully  accept,  at  the  hands  of  the  Executive,  such  officers  as,  in  his  wis 
dom,  he  may  see  lit  to  appoint  to  your  command.  In  behalf  of  all  who 
have  assembled  here  to  bid  you  farewell,  with  a  heart  deeply  sensible  of 
the  unspeakable  emotions  which  crowd  their  bosoms,  I  bid  you  God 
speed  in  the  noble  mission  to  which  you  are  now  consecrated. 

We  envoke  upon  you  the  choicest  blessings  of  Heaven  ;  with  mingled 
pride  and  grief  we  bid  you  adieu.  I  would  gladly  take  each  one  of  you 
by  the  hand,  and  speed  you  on  your  way  with  all  good  wishes. 

"  With  a  proud  sense  of  the  courtesy  of  your  present  commander  in  my 
reception,  and  the  manner  in  which  you  have  received  these  remarks,  I 
will  detain  you  no  longer. 

With  three  more  cheers  for  the  speaker,  the  men  gathered  around  the 
wagon  in  which  he  was  standing,  and  took  his  hand  with  many  expressions 
of  disappointment  and  regret  that  they  must  go  to  the  front  without  him. 
The  noble,  self-sacrificing  spirit  of  his  address  had  won  the  hearts  of  all 
who  heard  him;  and  made,  as  it  was,  with  a  full  knowledge  of  the  fact 
that,  even  then,  when  the  temper  of  their  mettle  had  begun  to  shade 
away,  it  needed  but  a  single  word  from  his  lips  to  restore  it  to  the  flinty 
blue,  that  would  break  before  it  would  bend,  it  was,  indeed,  manfully 
heroic  and  worthy  a  record  on  the  page  of  history.  It  was  hard  for  the 
regiment  to  give  up  its  favorite  and  first  choice,  and  there  were  some  who 
still  believed  that  Gov.  Berry  would  reconsider  the  question  of  appoint 
ment,  and  finally  yield  to  the  urgent  request  and  earnest  desire  of  its 
members.  But  he  proved  immovable,  and  the  regiment,  following  the 
advice  and  example  of  their  chosen  leader,  readily,  but  not  willingly, 
followed  another  to  the  field  of  duty,  • 

During  the  interval  between  Whipple,  expectant,  and  Potter,  present, 
Gov.  Berry  had  employed  Col.  Thos.  P.  Pierce  of  Manchester  to  organ 
ize  and  drill  the  regiment ;  and  the  latter,  to  aid  and  assist  him,  secured 
the  services  of  Capt.  John  F.  Marsh  of  Nashua,  who  had  been  a  soldier 
under  him  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  was  then  fresh  from  active  service  in 
the  Sixth  Wisconsin  Volunteers.  Through  the  influence  of  Col.  Pierce, 


NCT.V  Hampshire    Volunteers.  15 

and  by  his  own  promptness  and  efficiency,   he   was,   as   we   have   seen, 
soon  afterward  commissioned  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  regiment. 

It  was  under  Capt.  Marsh's  instruction  that  the  Twelfth  received  its 
first  lessons  in  battalion  formation  and  drill,  and  these  lessons  were  con 
tinued,  repeated,  and  reviewed  by  him,  almost  exclusively,  when 
and  wherever  there  was  an  opportunity,  until  he  was  disabled  by  a 
wound  at  Chancellorsville. 

Capt.  Joseph  H.  Potter  of  the  Seventh  United  States  Infantry,  having, 
at  the  Governor's  request,  received  from  the  War  Department  "  leave  of 
absence  from  his  command  to  accept  a  commission  in  the  volunteer  ser 
vice,"  had  no  sooner  left  his  station  on  the  frontier  and  reported  to  the 
adjutant-general  of  the  state,  than  he  was  appointed  colonel  of  the 
Twelfth  ;  and  at  last  the  regiment  had  a  commander,  and  one  who  knew 
his  business,  although  an  entire  stranger  to  the  men.  It  was  a  hard 
place  to  put  him  ;  for  nothing  less  than  perfection  itself,  both  as  a  man 
and  an  officer,  could  then  have  pleased  or  satisfied  the  men. 

Whipple  was  their  first  choice,  their  ideal ;  and  crosses  and  curses 
were  good  enough  for  any  one  who  should  take  the  place  which  they 
thought  belonged  to  him. 

On  the  other  hand,  Col.  Potter  had  been  so  long  used  to  the  stern  and 
gruff  manner  of  regular  army  officers,  that  he  could  not,  at  once,  realize 
the  difference  between  a  green,  sensitive  volunteer,  who  had  but  just 
stepped  from  the  plain  of  civil  equality  into  the  ranks  of  war,  with  his 
individual  independence  still  quick  to  assert  itself,  and  an  old,  iron-clad 
veteran  of  the  regular  army  who  had  been  drilled,  drudged  and  driven 
until  he  hardly  knew  whether  he  was  a  beast  or  a  man. 

All  this,  of  course,  was  especially  unfavorable,  for  a  while,  to  a  smooth 
and  pleasant  run  of  the  regimental  machine.  But  as  the  rough  spots 
wore  off'  there  was  less  friction,  and  the  colonel  and  his  men,  by  the 
reciprocal  action  of  positive  and  negative  forces,  the  hard  becoming 
softer  and  the  soft  becoming  harder,  soon  worked  in  harmony  ;  although 
it  was  not  until  after  Fredericksburg,  as  will  be  seen  hereafter,  that  many 
of  the  regiment  began  to  appreciate  the  sterling  qualities  of  their 
commander. 

On  the  25th  the  regiment  was  inspected  by  Adjutant-General  Colby, 
who,  the  day  following,  presented  to  Col.  Potter  the  state  and  national 
colors,  the  giver  and  receiver,  in  behalf  of  the  state  and  the  regiment, 
making  short  but  appropriate  remarks  ;  that  of  the  latter  being  only  long 
enough  to  embody  a  soldier's  promise  that  they  should  never  be  disgraced 
nor  surrendered,  for  the  colonel  was  a  man  of  deeds  and  not  words. 

Hardly  was  the  regiment  fully  organized  before  death  entered  its  ranks, 
and  one  of  its  youngest  members,  Albert  L.  Buziel  of  Co.  I,  was  acci 
dentally  shot  while  purchasing  a  revolver  in  one  of  the  shops  in  the  city. 
He  will  long  be  remembered  as  the  first  victim  of  the  "insatiable  archer" 
in  the  Twelfth,  after  being  mustered  into  service;  but  Randall,  who  had 


16  History  of  the    Twelfth  Regiment 

enlisted  in  Co.  K,  died  of  fever  before  going  into  camp,  and  was  buried 
under  arms  at  Wolfeborough. 

On  the  same  day,  the  25th,  Col.  Potter  received  from  the  Governor  the 
following  order  : 

"You  will  proceed  with  the  regiment  under  your  command  to  Wash 
ington,  D.  C.,  on  Saturday,  the  27th  instant,  at  7  o'clock  A.  M.,  and 
report  there  to  the  commanding  general." 

This  was  the  first  general  order  ever  issued  to  Col.  Potter  as  com 
mander  of  the  Twelfth,  and  the  first  time  the  regiment  was  under 
"  marching  orders."  The  day  was,  also,  eventful  as  that  of  the  first 
general  inspection  and  the  first  death,  as  already  noticed. 

But  one  day  now  remained  before  the  linal  departure  ;  and  although 
nothing  of  general  interest  occurred,  except  the  presentation  ot  the 
colors,  yet  it  was  a  busy  day  with  officers  and  men,  in  picking  and  pack 
ing  up,  sending  letters  and  packages  home,  and  getting  ready  for  the 
important  move  of  the  morrow.  How  the  valises  of  the  sword-bearers 
and  the  knapsacks  of  the  musket-carriers  were  crowded  with  much  that 
was  necessary,  and  more  that  was  not,  will  be  referred  to  in  another 
place. 

The  night  before  leaving  Concord  for  the  front,  "  Camp  Belknap  "  pre 
sented  a  bright  and  lively  appearance.  Bon-tires  were  kindled  and  kept 
burning  late  into  the  night  with  the  accumulated  refuse  of  the  camp,  and 
the  surrounding  woods  (nearly  the  whole  plains  were  then  covered  with  a 
scattering  growth  of  pitch-pine),  echoed  and  re-echoed  with  songs  and 
shouts,  and  most  frequent  among  the  latter  was  the  name  of  Whipple. 

Durin<r  the  day  manv  friends  and  relatives  from  a  distance  had   arrived 

o  J  •> 

and  stopped  in  camp  or  in  the  city  all  night,  so  as  to  be  sure  of  being 
present  the  next  morning,  when  the  train,  which  was  expected  to  leave 
an  hour  or  two  sooner  than  it  did,  should  start. 

It  is  not  unaccountable,  therefore,  since  "like  begets  like,'1  that  some  ot 
the  "  boys  "  were  in  unusually  good  spirits  on  this  last  night  of  their  stay 
in  New  Hampshire  ;  while  many  others,  with  nothing  to  excite  them, 
were  silent,  sober,  and  reflective. 

Could  the  dark  curtain,  that  ever  hangs  between  the  present  and  the 
future,  that  night  have  been  raised  or  pushed  aside,  there  would  have 
been  much  less  of  mirth,  and  much  more  of  sadness.  "All  men  think 
all  men  mortal  but  themselves  ;"  so,  while  there  were  none  foolish  enough 
to  believe,  that  however  fortunate  the  regiment  might  be,  all  would  again 
return,  yet  each  one  seemed  to  feel,  that  whoever  else  might  fall,  he,  of 
course,  would  escape. 

To  this  universal  law  of  human  existence,  so  forcibly  expressed  by  Dr. 
Young,  there  are,  at  times,  some  strange  and  remarkable  exceptions. 
And  there  was  more  than  one,  that  might  have  been  found,  among  the 
sad  and  silent  ones  in  camp  that  night,  who  felt  as  surelv  that  thev  would 
never  return,  as  the  others  did  that  they  would;  and,  indeed,  much  more 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  17 

so,  for  the  former  it  was  but  the  assurance  of  "auspicious  hope,"  but  to 
the  latter  it  was  the  solemn  certainty  of  a  soul-shadowing  premonition 
which  hope  had  no  power  to  penetrate  or  dispel. 

But  to  the  reflective  ones  among  the  hopeful  as  well  as  the  despondent, 
though  great  the  contrast  in  many  cases,  the  silent  hours  of  approaching 
morn  brought  serious  thoughts  instead  of  pleasant  dreams. 

They  knew  that  the  coming  day  was  to  be  their  last  for  a  long  time,  if 
not  forever,  upon  their  native  soil,  beneath  which  their  bodies  even  might 
not  be  permitted  to  rest  by  the  side  of  their  kindred  dead,  should  it  be 
their  lot  to  fill  a  soldier's  grave. 

The  full  force  and  meaning  of  the  obligation  that  they  had  voluntarily 
assumed  in  entering  the  service  of  their  country  under  the  oath  of  their 
enlistment,  and  from  which  for  three  long  years  or  the  war,  there  was 
no  release  but  death  (unless  so  far  disabled  by  sickness  or  wounds  as  to 
be  of  no  further  use  to  the  Government)  weighed  more  heavily  upon 
their  minds  than  ever  before  ;  and,  though  few,  if  any,  were  yet  sorry  for 
what  they  had  done,  there  were  some  that  half  feared  that  they  had  not 
sufficiently  well  considered  their  individual  situation  and  circumstances, 
and  especially  in  connection  with  possible,  if  not  probable  consequences. 

They  knew  from  reason,  to  which  imagination  was  now  liberally  con 
tributory,  that  there  was  a  great  difference  between  the  hay-fields  from 
which  they  had  recently  come,  and  the  battle-fields  for  which  they  were 
about  to  start ;  but  it  was  well,  perhaps,  that  experience,  without  which 
there  cannot  be  adequate  realization,  was  entirely  wanting  on  the  battle 
field  side  of  the  question,  for  "Where  ignorance  is  bliss  'tis  folly  to  be 
wise." 

And.  without  detracting  aught  from  the  credit  and  honor  that  belong 
to  the  volunteers  of  the  early  years  of  the  war  for  being  prompted  to 
enlist  by  patriotic  motives,  it  can  be  safely  assumed  that  had  each  one 
known,  before  enlisting,  as  much  about  marching  and  fighting  as  he 
learned  afterward,  many  would  have  hesitated  longer  before  allowing 
their  names  to  be  enrolled,  and  some  would  never  have  enlisted  at  all. 


STATE  AID,  ALLOTMENT,   ETC. 

The  State  had  made  two  very  wise  provisions  for  its  soldiers  and  their 
families. 

By  an  enactment  of  the  Legislature,  towns  and  cities  were  authorized  to  raise 
money  "for  the  aid  of  the  wife,  and  of  the  children  under  sixteen  years  of  age, 
of  any  inhabitant  of  such  city  or  town  who,  as  a  member  of  the  volunteer  or 
enrolled  militia  of  this  State,  may  have  been  mustered  into,  or  enlisted,  in  the 
service  of  the  United  States;  and  for  each  parent  or  child  of  such  inhabitant 
who,  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment,  was  dependent  on  him  for  support ;  provided 
such  persons  are  indigent  and  stand  in  need  of  such  relief." 

And  for  the  sums  thus  paid  out  by  the  several  towns  and  cities  for  the  support 
of  the  family  or  dependents  of  any  inhabitant  who  may  have  been  actually 


1 8  History  of  the  Tzuclfth  Regiment 

engaged  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  the  State  agreed  to  annually  reimburse 
"a  sum  not  exceeding  one  dollar  per  week  for  each  child  or  parent  of  such 
inhabitant,  who  at  the  time  of  his  being  called  or  enlisting  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  was  dependent  upon  him  for  support;  provided,  however,  that 
the  whole  sum  so  reimbursed  shall  not  exceed  twelve  dollars  per  month  for  all 
the  persons  so  dependent  upon  any  such  inhabitant." 

The  other  provision  referred  to,  was  an  arrangement  that  the  State  made  with 
the  Government,  allowing  volunteers  to  make  an  allotment  of  a  part,  or  the 
whole  of  their  pay,  in  favor  of  wives,  children,  or  parents ;  or  to  be  paid  to 
whomever  else  he  might  designate  ;  the  paymaster  in  the  army  to  remit  the  amount 
of  said  allotments  to  the  State  for  distribution,  instead  of  paying  the  same  to  the 
soldiers  in  the  field. 

The  money  received  under  the  first  of  these  provisions  was  called  "  State  aid," 
and  proved  of  great  assistance  to  many  families- 

But  in  this,  as  in  all  other  cases  where  public  beneficence  necessarily  depends 
more  upon  the  self-considered  right  of  the  applicant  than  the  actual  need  of  the 
recipient  which  the  law  contemplates,  some  received  their  regular  state  aid  in  full, 
for  years,  that  were  not  half  so  much  entitled  to  it  as  were  others  who,  not 
being  able  to  quiet  their  conscience  with  a  "'custom-house  oath,"  never  applied 
for  or  received  a  single  cent. 

Nevertheless,  there  were  many  who  badly  needed  and  gladly  received,  and 
for  them  it  was,  as  the  law  designed,  a  very  wise  and  necessary  provision. 

The  object  of  the  allotment  was  twofold  : 

First,  to  assist  families  and'relatives  who,  notwithstanding  their  small  pittance 
of  state  aid,  might  want  for  the  necessaries  and  comforts  of  life;  and  second,  to 
assist  the  soldier  himself  to  save  what  he  otherwise  might  foolishly  spend,  by 
having  his  father,  mother,  guardian,  or  friend  put  into  the  savings  bank  at  home, 
the  money,  which  if  not  thus  secured,  would  largely,  perhaps,  go  into  the 
suttler's  drawer  in  the  army. 

Some  of  those  who  were  mere  boys  wrhen  they  enlisted,  and  never  had  but  a 
few  dollars  of  their  own,  were  agreeably  surprised  when  they  returned  home  at 
the  expiration  of  their  enlistment,  or  at  the  end  of  the  war,  to  find  a  bank 
account  to  their  credit  to  the  amount  of  several  hundred  dollars,  made  up  of 
these  monthly  savings  and  the  bounty  that  was  paid  them  when  they  were  mus 
tered  into  the  service. 

But  it  is  feared  that  they  did  not  always  fully  appreciate,  as  indeed  they  could 
not  half  realize,  the  amount  of  toil,  economy,  and  sacrifice  that  had  been  required, 
perhaps,  on  the  part  of  a  kind  and  loving  father  and  mother,  to  say  nothing 
about  brothers  and  sisters,  in  order  to  save  untouched  every  dollar  for  their 
darling  boy  when  he  should  return,  as  they  hoped  and  prayed  he  might,  to  receive 
and  enjoy  it. 

But  oh,  how  worse  than  worthless  is  money,  with  all  its  purchase  power, 
when  compared  with  true  filial  affection  or  paternal  love. 

From  how  many  happy  homes  the  patriotic  son  went  forth  at  his  country's 
call,  but  never  returned;  and  the  light  and  life  of  that  home  went  out  forever. 
To  how  many  more  homes  the  son  at  last  returned,  but  the  father  or  mother, 
perhaps  both,  were  no  longer  there  to  greet  him.  Many  such  homes  has  the 
author  visited  in  gathering  facts  for  this  history ;  and  often  has  he  seen  the  tears 


New  Hampshire,   Volunteers.  19 

streaming  down  over  the  deeply  wrinkled  cheeks,  as  conversation  brought  back 
in  memory  the  face  and  form  of  him  who  was  once  their  hope  and  pride. 

"It  was  almost  more  than  I  could  bear,"  said  one  heart-broken  mother,  "and 
my  life  since  has  been  little  better  than  an  anxious  and  sorrowful  waiting,  for  it 
has  seemed  all  the  time  that  he  must  come  back,  or  I  must  go  to  him." 

Her  son  was  killed  at  Chancellorsville,  and  since  the  above  words  were 
spoken,  she  has  gone  to  him. 

BOUNTIES. 

The  only  bounties  received  by  those  who  enlisted  for  three  years  in  New 
Hampshire  regiments  under  the  call  of  July,  '62,  was  twenty-five  dollars  from 
the  Government  to  all  who  enlisted  before  August  22,  with  a  promise  of  seventy- 
five  dollars  more  in  three  annual  installments  (those  enlisting  after  that  date  were 
paid  nothing  at  the  start,  but  received  one  hundred  dollars  at  their  final  discharge 
at  the  end  of  the  war)  ;  fifty  dollars  from  the  State ;  and  the  local  bounties, 
varying  from  fifty  to  three  hundred  dollars,  as  then  paid  by  the  different  towns 
and  cities. 

The  same  towns  and  cities  paid  from  ten  to  fifteen  hundred  dollars  "to 
encourage  enlistments"  before  the  end  of  the  war. 

These  large  bounties  were  readily  voted  by  the  towns,  because  their  respective 
quotas  had  to  be  filled,  either  by  volunteers  or  a  draft ;  and  the  average  citizen, 
whatever  his  political  proclivities  and  no  matter  how  bitterly  opposed  to  the 
war,  was  willing  to  bear  his  share  of  increased  taxation  for  every  one  who 
would  enlist  from  the  town,  when  every  such  enlistment  made  his  chances  one 
less  of  having  to  go  himself,  or  pay  from  three  to  five  hundred  dollars  for  a  sub 
stitute. 

It  should  be  mentioned  here,  that  the  seventy-five  dollars  instead  of  being  paid 
one  third  each  year,  as  promised,  was  not  paid  until  the  end  of  the  war,  and  never 
paid  at  all  to  those  who  were  discharged  or  mustered  out,  even  to  receive  a  com 
mission  as  an  officer,  before  the  expiration  of  two  years  from  date  of  enlistment. 
Officers,  who  were  promoted  from  the  ranks  before  serving  two  years,  had  the 
twenty-five  dollars  paid  them  at  Concord  deducted  from  their  pay.  This  was  not 
only  meanly  economical,  but  in  direct  violation  of  the  letter  and  spirit  of  the  con 
tract.  Yet  the  same  has  never  been  refunded  to  those  from  whom  it  was  so 
unjustly  taken,  nor  any  recompense  made  therefor.* 

Those  who  enlisted  in  1861  got  but  ten  dollars  bounty  from  the  Government, 
nothing  from  the  state  or  town;  while  those  who  enlisted  in  1864  received,  from 
all  three  of  these  sources,  an  average  aggregate  of  not  less  than  twelve  hundred 
dollars. 

VERDANT  VOLUNTEERS. 

Quite  a  long  chapter  might  be  written  about  the  novel  experiences,  amusing 
blunders,  and  almost  total  ignorance,  concerning  military  matters,  of  the  citizen 
volunteers  from  the  northern  states  in  the  late  war. 

But  while  they  would  revive  pleasing  memories  in  the  veteran's  mind,  by  whom 
they  could  be  best  understood  and  appreciated,  yet,  like  our  school-boy  reminis 
cences,  would  be  of  no  special  interest  to  others. 

*  Since  the  above  was  written  a  bill  lias  been  introduced  into  Congress  to  pay  the  full  bounty. 


20  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Instead  of  being  prepared  for  war,  and  able  to  put  two  or  three  hundred  thousand 
well  trained  soldiers  into  the  field,  as  soon  as  the  power  of  steam  could  convey 
them  there,  (as  many  of  the  less  populous  nations  of  the  old  world  could  have 
done,)  our  Government,  when  first  brought  to  a  realizing  sense  of  its  danger  by 
the  startling  sound  of  rebel  cannon  fired  upon  Fort  Sumter,  found  itself  destitute 
of  almost  everything  in  the  shape  or  semblance  of  an  army  or  navy  with  which  to 
defend  its  property  or  maintain  its  unity. 

Arms  and  munitions  of  war  could  be  soon  procured  from  foreign  markets,  but 
men  prepared  to  use  them  were  not  so  easily  obtained. 

Our  enlisting  officers  supplied  the  raw  material  faster  than  it  could  be  properly 
shaped  and  seasoned,  and  of  a  kind  and  quality  better  than  ever  before  composed 
the  personnel  of  any  other  army  in  ancient  or  modern  times. 

But  while,  with  a  little  West  Point  assistance,  it  could  soon  be  brought  into 
proper  military  shape,  the  seasoning  process  required  much  greater  time  and 
attention.  For  this  reason  rendezvous  quarters  for  volunteers,  in  the  different 
States,  were  at  once  turned  into  drilling  camps,  in  many  of  which,  for  want  of 
experienced  officers,  the  instructor  knew  little  more  than  the  instructed ;  and 
every  one,  whatever  his  stripe  or  strap  of  command,  from  corporal  to  colonel, 
was  as  green  as  the  men  who  were  supposed  to  obey  their  orders. 

It  was  of  such  green,  unseasoned  material  that  McDowell's  army  was  composed, 
but  its  proud  onward  march  toward  Richmond,  and  its  disgraceful  backward  run 
to  Washington,  proved  that  to  "make  haste  slowly"  is  a  good  maxim  in  war  as 
well  as  in  peace  ;  and  especially  so  when  the  fighting  material  of  the  one  is  taken, 
almost  exclusively,  from  the  civil  elements  of  the  other. 

The  tyros  of  our  war  assembled  at  "  Camp  Belknap  "  were  no  exception  to  the 
general  rule,  only  a  very  few  among  them  had  seen  the  ranks  of  war,  or  ever  been 
in  the  military  service. 

Of  the  only  two  officers  of  the  line  who  knew  anything  of  war,  one  had  been 
a  corporal  for  a  few  months  in  the  Second  New  Hampshire,  and  the  other  a 
lieutenant  for  a  short  time  in  the  Third  ;  while  the  field  and  staff",  until  Colonel 
Potter  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Marsh  were  commissioned,  knew  less  of  their 
duties,  if  possible,  than  the  company  officers. 

Though  five  or  six  of  the  officers,  and  perhaps  a  score  or  two  of  the  men,  had 
a  dim  recollection  of  having  once  "trained"  in  the  state  militia,  before  that  holi 
day  organization  was  disbanded  for  being  more  expensively  ornamental  than 
practically  useful,  yet  there  was  not  a  single  officer  or  man  in  the  regiment, 
excepting  those  above  referred  to,  and  two  or  three  sergeants  who  had  served  in 
other  regiments,  that  knew  enough  to  form  a  company  line ;  while  not  less  than 
two  thirds  of  its  members  could  not  tell  the  difference  between  a  platoon  and  a 
pontoon,  unless  they  happened  to  remember  what  the  dictionary  said  about  them. 
They  knew  much  more  about  a  catamount  than  guard-mount,  for  with  the  former 
they  were,  some  of  them,  more  or  less  familiar,  having,  perhaps,  hunted  and  killed 
it  on  old  Mount  Belknap  or  its  surrounding  hills,  but  of  the  latter  they  had  never 
heard,  and  were  not  quite  sure  whether  it  was  an  animal  or  a  thing. 

The  reader  may  think  the  foregoing  statements  border  too  closely  on  the  hyper 
bolic,  but  they  are  no  more  intimately  connected  with  that  much  abused  figure  of 
speech  than  the  simple  truth  will  tolerate  in  giving  a  full  and  fair  idea  of 

"  How  little  of  war  we  W7arriors  knew." 


CHAPTER    II. 

FROM  CONCORD  TO   FAI.MOUTH. 

Bright  and  beautiful,  as  was  the  morning  of  the  2yth  of  September, 
A.  D.,  1862  —  welcome  harbinger,  as  then  hoped,  of  the  good  luck  in 
store  —  it  was"  a  sad,  sorrowful  day  to  most  of  the  members  of  the  Twelfth, 
and  their  many  relatives  and  friends  who  had  come  with  heavy  hearts  to 
bid  them  good-bye,  as  they  left  the  capital  of  their  native  State  for  the 
seat  of  war.  To  many  it  seemed  what,  alas  !  it  proved,  a  last  farewell. 

"God  bless  and  protect  you,"  was  the  parting  benediction  from  the 
trembling  lips  of  gray-haired  fathers  and  mothers,  as  they  took  by  the 
hand,  perhaps  for  the  last  time,  him  who,  as  their  youngest  or  only  son, 
had  been  their  pride  in  the  past,  and  the  hope  of  their  declining  years  ; 
while  wives,  sisters,  and  others  no  less  loving  and  beloved,  with  that  heroic 
fortitude  so  characteristic  of  their  sex,  when  the  exigency  of  the  hour 
demands,  vied  with  each  other  to  force  a  smile  and  repress  the  tears  until 
the  ringing  bell  called  for  the  parting  kiss,  and  then,  while  the  long  train 
of  twenty  cars  moved  slowly  out,  as  if  reluctant  to  bear  its  precious  freight 
away,  their  flooded  eyes  were  left  to  freely  flow,  while  they  waved  their 
handkerchiefs  until 

"  Distance  did  quickly  intervene, 
To  close  the  last,  sad,  parting  scene." 

More  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  has  passed  since  that  sad,  parting  day, 
yet  in  how  many  hearts  is  its  memory  sacredly  treasured,  still.  For  the 
loved  one  that  went,  but  never  returned,  the  vacant  chair  around  the  family 
board  long  filled  its  accustomed  place, — and  who  can  say,  that  in  spirit, 
he  did  not  occupy  it? 

The  regiment  left  the  camp-ground  at  seven  o'clock,  and  marching  down 
Main  street  by  platoons,  at  regular  distance,  formed  a  column  reaching 
nearly  the  whole  distance  between  "Free  Bridge"  road  to  the  old  Elm 
House  opposite  the  depot ;  making  an  imposing  appearance,  and  eliciting 
complimentary  remarks  from  the  hundreds  of  spectators  who  filled  the 
sidewalks  and  windows,  cheering  and  waving  their  handkerchiefs  as  it 
passed.  It  should  here  be  recorded,  that  ten  hundred  abler  and  nobler 
looking  men  never  inarched,  as  volunteer  defenders  of  their  country's  flag, 
through  the  streets  of  Concord  or  any  other  New  England  city.  They 
were,  indeed,  as  afterward  called,  the  stalwart  and  sturdy  "  New  Hamp 
shire  Mountaineers." 


22  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

It  was  but  an  hour  later  when  the  train,  as  already  described,  left  the 
depot. 

Greeted  with  cheers  at  every  station,  to  which  the  boys  as  often  responded, 
the  train  reached  Nashua  about  ten  o'clock,  where  it  received  a  hearty 
greeting  from  the  large  concourse  of  citizens  assembled  at  the  depot  and 
awaiting  its  arrival.  Many  of  the  young  ladies  presented  to  the  "  boys 
in  blue  "  beautiful  bouquets,  in  some  of  which,  slyly  hidden  among  the 
flowers,  was  a  verse  or  motto  with  the  name  of  the  fair  donor.  Quite  a 
number  of  letters  afterward  sent  from  the  "  camp  of  the  I2th  N.  H.  Vols." 
were  addressed  to  the  same  persons  whose  names  were  found  in  these 
floral  offerings,  resulting,  as  said,  in  another  meeting  and  better  acquaint 
ance  when  the  soldier  got  his  first  furlough  home,  and  a  life  co-partnership 
after  the  war. 

One  of  these  bouquets,  received  by  Sergeant  Osgood,  of  Company  C, 
was  presented  by  Miss  E.  N.  Ladd,  said  to  have  been  a  sister  of  L.  C. 
Ladd,  of  the  Sixth  Massachusetts  Regiment,  who  was  killed  by  the  mob, 
in  the  streets  of  Baltimore,  on  the  memorable  ipth  of  April,  1861,  and 
contained  the  following  verse  : 

"  Go  then  brave  soldier,  go  fight  for  the  right, 
And  drive  Secession  far  out  of  thy  sight ; 
And  when  thou  returnest,  then  shalt  thou  see, 
That  righting  for  country  is  honor  to  thee." 

It  was  here  also,  by  the  procurement  of  Colonel  Marsh  or  his  friends, 
that  several  barrels  of  apples  were  put  upon  the  train,  just  before  starting, 
as  a  free,  fruit  lunch  for  the  regiment  between  there  and  Worcester.  After 
a  stop  but  little  longer  than  necessary  to  make  the  change  of  roads,  the 
train,  now  in  charge  of  Superintendent  Bentley  of  the  Nashua  and  Wor 
cester  railroad,  proceeded  toward  Worcester,  where  an  unexpected  but 
very  enjoyable  reception  awaited  it. 

As  soon  as  the  cars  could  be  emptied,  the  men  were  formed  in  line  and 
marched  by  companies  to  the  city  common,  where  they  found  eleven  long 
tables  spread  beneath  the  cooling  shade  trees  and  loaded  with  a  bountiful 
collation,  furnished  by  the  patriotic  and  liberal-hearted  citizens  of  that 
city,  and  which  was  as  liberally  disposed  of  as  bestowed. 

After  giving  three  hearty  cheers,  as  a  unanimous  vote  of  thanks  to  the 
citizens  of  Worcester  for  their  sumptuous  repast,  the  return  march  was 
made  to  the  depot,  where  at  two  o'clock  the  "  all  aboard"  warning  was 
given,  and  the  train,  now  under  the  directorship  of  Julius  Webb,  moved  on 
amid  the  cheers  of  the  assembled  thousands,  which  were  answered  back 
with  a  will  from  the  platforms  and  windows  of  the  twenty-one  cars,  all 
filled  with  the  Twelfth  family  and  their  baggage. 

The  word  family,  as  here  used,  is  not  altogether  a  misnomer;  for  prob 
ably  no  regiment  from  New  England,  certainly  none  from  the  State,  had 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  23 

so  many  of  blood  and  marriage  relationship  to  each  other  in  its  ranks  as 
the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire. 

The  regiment  arrived  at  Allyn's  Point  about  dark,  and  were  soon 
embarked  on  board  of  the  beautiful  steamer  "  City  of  New  York,"  \vhich 
was  waiting  at  the  wharf  to  run  a  special  trip,  taking  no  other  passengers. 
An  evening  ride  of  refreshing  coolness  on  the  Sound,  after  the  heat  and 
dusty  journey  of  the  day,  was  a  most  welcome  change  that  none  failed  to 
appreciate ;  and  it  was  not  until  after  the  second  watch  that  many  sought 
their  first  slumber  on  board  a  steamboat. 

The  gorgeously  fitted  up  and  brightly  lighted  cabins  and  other  compart 
ments  were  a  novel  and  attractive  sight  to  them,  and  seemed  more  like  a 
floating  palace  of  Arabian  Nights  celebrity,  than  a  modernized  specimen 
of  the  genius  of  Robert  Fulton.  They  had  paddled  their  own  canoes  on 
"  the  beautiful  lake  in  the  highlands,"  on  or  near  the  shores  of  which  many 
of  them  had  been  born  and  had  grown  up,  and  were  no  strangers  to  the 
marvelous  handiwork  of  nature  in  all  her  display  of  grandeur  and  beauty. 
But  of  the  great  works  of  science  and  art  they  knew  little  beyond  what 
they  had  heard  and  read.  Their  whole  trip  to  Washington,  therefore,  was 
like  a  panorama  of  new  and  interesting  scenes. 

Before  daybreak  a  thousand  gas-lights  are  seen  dimly  shining  through 
the  thick  mist,  upon  the  starboard  side,  by  those  on  guard  over  their  sleep 
ing  comrades  and  the  piles  of  baggage,  and  they  learn  that  they  are 
passing  by  the  water-front  of  the  great  metropolis  of  New  York  ;  and 
soon,  while  the  eastern  sky  is  being  tinted  by  the  touch  of  coming  day,  the 
boat  swings  slowly  up  to  the  pier,  and  company  after  company,  filing 
across  the  gang-plank,  form  a  column  on  the  wharf,  and  march  to  the 
music  of  "Yankee  Doodle,"  up  the  streets  of  Jersey  City  to  the  depot. 
Here,  for  want  of  ready  transportation,  the  regiment  remained  until 
nearly  nine  o'clock  before  starting  for  Philadelphia. 

As  soon  as  the  citizens  were  up,  a  circular  survey  of  that  part  of  the  city 
was  quickly  made  by  the  boys  in  search  of  something  better  than  could 
be  found  in  their  haversacks  and  canteens.  And,  notwithstanding  it  was 
Sunday  morning,  eating  saloons  and  bakeries,  as  well  as  hotels,  found  it 
paid  well  that  day  to  keep  an  open  house  for  a  few  hours  before  church 
service. 

Just  as  the  men  were  getting  on  board  the  train  that  was  to  bear  them 
onward,  Governor  Berry,  on  his  way  home  from  Washington,  made  his 
appearance,  and  was  greeted  with  cries  for  Whipple,  instead  of  cheers  for 
himself. 

The  reception  of  the  regiment  at  Philadelphia,  where  it  arrived 
between  three  and  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  was  an  ovation  that  will 
never  be  forgotten  while  memory's  record  can  be  read  by  the  latest  sur 
vivor. 

Nearly  every  regiment  that  passed  through  this  city  for  the  front, 
during  the  war,  had  reasons  for  remembering  it  gratefully  as  the  "city 


24  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

of  brotherly  love,"  in  deed,  as  well  as  name.  But  now  it  was  joy,  as 
well  as  love,  that  prompted  the  citizens  to  extend  so  warm  and  friendly  a 
welcome. 

A  few  weeks  before  they  had  been  threatened  by  an  attack  of  General 
Lee's  army,  which  had  called  out  the  whole  force  of  their  state  militia 
and  many  volunteers,  to  protect  Harrisburg  and  their  own  city  ;  and  the 
arrival  of  fresh  troops,  under  the  new  call,  hastening  forward  to  drive  the 
invading  forces  back  and  save  their  city  from  further  danger,  called  forth 
new  and  still  stronger  demonstrations  of  gratitude  and  kindness. 

Tired  and  dusty,  hungry  and  thirsty,  the  cars  are  hardly  empty  before 
the  soldier  passengers  find  themselves  amid  "fountains  of  water  and 
mountains  of  food."  And  such  an  after-meeting,  Sunday  dinner  as 
followed,  never  before  was  eaten  by  any  band  of  New  England  soldiers, 
at  home  or  abroad,  from  the  days  of  Miles  Standish  down  to  that  very 
hour. 

Church  services  had  just  closed,  and  by  the  time  the  regiment  was 
ready  to  bid  a  reluctant  farewell  to  "  Cooper's  Volunteers'  Refreshment 
Saloon,"  and  its  savory  dishes,  the  surrounding  square  and  streets  were 
filled  with  men,  women,  and  children,  all  anxiously  intent  on  doing  some 
act  of  kindness,  or  showing  some  mark  of  respect.  Ladies,  richly 
dressed,  not  content  with  waving  handkerchiefs  and  sweet  smiles,  pressed 
forward,  many  of  them,  to  grasp  the  soldier's  hand,  express  their  sym 
pathy  and  gratitude,  and  bid  him  be  of  good  cheer  and  stout  heart  in 
their  country's  holy  cause  ;  while  men  and  boys  would  insist  on  carrying 
his  knapsack,  and  urgently  inquire  if  there  was  anything  they  could  do 
or  get  for  him  before  leaving  the  city.  Thus  for  more  than  a  mile,  from 
one  depot  to  the  other,  it  was  a  march  of  which  their  own  returning  citizen- 
soldiers,  fresh  from  the  fields  of  South  Mountain  and  Antietam,  might 
have  well  felt  proud. 

Just  as  the  sun  goes  down,  cheers  and  shouts  go  up  from  the  regiment 
for  the  grand  old  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  her  noble  hearted  citizens,  of 
whom  five  times  as  many  answer  back  with  responding  cheers,  com 
mingled  with  exclamations  of  "God  bless  you";  "There  can  be  no  city 
without  a  country";  "  When  you  come  back  we  will  treat  you  better," 
etc.,  etc.,  until  the  train  moves  out  and  onward  toward  different  scenes 
and  sounds.  Wilmington  is  soon  reached  and  passed,  not,  however, 
without  demonstrations  of  good  will  and  gladness  from  the  citizens,  and 
midnight  finds  the  regiment  at  Havre  De  Grace.  Here,  while  waiting  to 
be  ferried  across  the  Susquehanna,  and  some  of  the  boys  of  Company  F 
were  singing  songs  of  that  now  distant  home  of  which  some  of  the  rest, 
perhaps,  were  dreaming,  they  were  suddenly  saluted  with  a  volley  of 
sticks  and  stones,  smashing  in  one  of  the  car  windows,  and  scattering 
the  sash  and  glass  in  all  directions. 

So  sudden  and  violent  was  the  attack,  that  it  was  thought  at  first  to  be 
the  skirmish  fire  of  another  rebel  mob,  like  that  which  attacked  the  Sixth 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  25 

Massachusetts  in  Baltimore ;  but  a  ready  reconnoisance  in  force  found 
no  enemy  in  sight.  It  was  the  first  hostile  demonstration  ;  and  although 
weak  as  it  was  cowardly,  was  strong  enough  to  convince  one  soldier  at 
least,  who  was  hit  on  the  head  with  a  stone  or  club,  that  he  was  no  longer 
in  the  "  city  of  brotherly  love." 

By  4  o'clock  the  next  morning  the  regiment  was  marching  across 
the  city  of  Baltimore  to  the  Washington  depot.  And  though  all  was 
quiet,  and  the  spirit  of  rebellion  no  where  manifest,  none  failed  to  be 
reminded,  that  he  was  marching  on  the  same  streets  that  less  than  a  year 
and  a  half  before  were  stained  with  the  blood  of  New  Hampshire's  sons, 
pressing  forward  to  the  rescue  of  the  capital.* 

Here  the  regiment  remained  for  twelve  long  and  weary  hours,  waiting 
for  transportation  to  Washington ;  and  not  knowing  how  soon  it  would 
be  furnished,  the  men  had  but  little  chance  to  look  over  the  "Monu 
mental  City,"  where  a  short  time  before  treason  rioted,  and  the  assassina 
tion  of  Lincoln  on  his  way  to  the  national  capital,  was  an  oath-bound  plot 
of  her  aristocratic  sons. 

At  last  cattle-car  passage  was  secured  and  the  seats  all  taken  ;  and 
with  one  or  two  baggage  cars,  to  take  the  place  of  Pullmans  for  the 
officers,  the  regiment  was  again  upon  the  rail,  bouncing  and  jostling 
along  toward  the  great  capital  city  of  which  all  had  heard,  but  few  had 
ever  seen. 

Thus  far  good  luck  and  good  cheer  had  made  the  journey  pleasant, 
but  soon  a  sad  event  occurred  that  cast  a  dark  shadow  of  sorrow  upon 
Company  I,  and  left  a  feeling  of  sadness  in  the  mind  of  every  member 
of  the  command.  While  waiting  at  Mount  Clair  station,  a  few  miles 
from  Baltimore,  for  another  train,  also  loaded  with  soldiers,  to  pass, 
three  or  four  sharp  pistol  shots  were  heard,  and  the  little  puffs  of  smoke 
showed  that  they  came  from  the  passing  train.  These  shots  came  from 
the  windows  and  platforms  of  the  cars,  and  were  tired,  as  supposed, 
merely  in  fun  as  a  salute  ;  but  the  effect  was  none  the  less  fatal,  for 
Darius  Robinson,  of  Company  I,  who  was  standing  with  several  others 
in  the  side  door  of  one  of  the  cars,  was  struck  by  one  of  the  balls  and 
fell  dead  upon  the  floor.  A  telegram  was  sent  ahead  to  the  Relay 
House  to  stop  the  train  and  arrest  the  man  who  fired  the  shots,  and  when 
the  Twelfth  reached  there  Lieut.  Henry  Ashbey  of  the  Eighty-fourth 
New  York  Volunteers,  was  under  guard  awaiting  its  arrival.  He  was 
taken  on  board  and  put  into  the  same  car  where  Robinson  was  shot.  He 
was  as  pale,  almost,  as  the  face  of  the  dead  man  that  he  had  been 
arrested  for  killing,  and  the  body  of  whom  lay  before  him.  He  protested 
his  innocence,  even  of  any  carelessness,  and  his  story  that  he  discharged 
his  revolver  from  one  of  the  windows  of  his  car,  pointing  upwards,  and 
that  the  fatal  shot  must  have  been  fired  by  another  man,  was  probably 
true  ;  for  it  was  found  at  his  trial  the  next  day  in  Washington,  that  the 

*  Luther  C.  Ladd,  killed  in  the  Sixth  Massachusetts,  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire. 


26  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

bullet  taken  from  the  body  of  Robinson  was  too  large  to  fit  the  prisoner's 
revolver,  and  he  was  released. 

This  was  the  second  death  in  the  regiment,  both  in  Company  I,  and 
both  the  result,  probably,  of  criminal  carelessness.  But  many  believed 
that  the  fatal  ball  in  this  case,  was  purposely  directed,  as  the  man  who 
was  seen  to  shoot  from  the  platform  was  dressed  in  citizen's  clothes,  and 
was  thought  to  be  a  southern  sympathizer,  pretending  to  fire  a  salute  by 
swinging  his  revolver  round  in  a  circle,  but  intending  to  kill  by  firing,  as 
he  did,  when  it  came  down  so  as  to  do  its  work  of  death. 

The  night  ride  to  Washington,  if  ride  it  could  be  called,  and  the  unex 
pected  reception  there  were  both  so  individually  impressive,  that,  like  the 
sad  event  just  written,  they  are  very  vivid  in  memory  yet,  and  demand  a 
brief  record  here. 

The  night  was  very  warm,  and  crowded  into  the  cattle  cars  so  close,  that 
it  was  easy  to  faint  but  impossible  to  fall,  suffering  humanity  could  not 
long  withstand  the  pressure  ;  and,  making  a  life-saving  virtue  of  a  mili 
tary  necessity,  the  butts  of  the  muskets  were  quickly  turned  into  battering- 
rams,  and  soon  there  was  ample  ventilation  and  a  good  chance  to  breathe, 
if  not  to  rest. 

The  next  morning  the  train,  looked  as  if  it  had  just  run  a  gauntlet  of 
rebel  batteries,  or  been  last  loaded  with  eight  or  ten  mules,  and  a  swarm 
of  bees  in  each  car. 

Tired,  sleepy,  and  hungry,  another  thousand  or  more  of  the  sturdy  sons 
of  the  Granite  State  are  at  last  within  the  contour  of  Uncle  Sam's  exclusive 
jurisdiction,  and  looking  for  the  first  time  upon  the  dome  of  the  national 
capitol,  as  it  loomed  up  in  sombre  silence  to  catch  the  first  rays  of  the 
rising  sun. 

They  expected  something  like  their  reception  at  the  "  Quaker  City"  ;  but 
alas,  how  grievously  disappointed  ! 

Not  a  welcome  word  nor  a  greeting  cheer  was  heard  ;  and  the  miserable 
apology  for  breakfast,  and  the  filthy  place  in  which  it  was  served  was  an 
insult  to  the  soldier  and  a  disgrace  to  the  Government.  But  for  the 
capitol  and  a  few  other  government  buildings,  no  one  would  imagine  the 
beautiful  city  of  to-day  to  be  the  same  as  that  of  thirty  years  ago. 

It  was  then  not  only  "  a  city  of  magnificent  distances,"  but  was  so  filled 
up  with  "  niggers,  pigs,  and  shoulder  straps,"  to  say  nothing  about  bucket- 
slopped  streets  and  tumble-down  shanties,  that  the  greater  the  distance 
the  more  pleasing  the  view. 

Colonel  Potter  was  now  ordered  by  General  Wadsworth,  in  command 
at  Washington,  to  report  with  his  regiment  to  General  Casey  on  Arlington 
Heights  ;  and  it  was  with  no  feelings  of  regret  that  the  line  was  again 
formed  and  marched  across  Long  bridge  for  better  grounds  and  a  purer 
atmosphere. 

This  march  of  only  seven  miles,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  was  one  of  the 
hardest  the  regiment  ever  made. 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers,  27 

The  day  was  exceedingly  warm,  and  the  men  in  the  worst  possible 
condition  to  make  it. 

Take,  as  an  illustration,  a  green  colt  from  the  pasture,  and  send  him  off 
four  or  five  hundred  miles  on  the  railroad,  with  little  chance  to  rest  or  eat 
for  thirty-six  hours  ;  then  put  the  heaviest  kind  of  a  work  harness  upon 
him,  and  force  him  to  draw  what  would  be  a  great  load  for  a  veteran  truck 
horse  for  seven  or  eight  miles,  half  the  way  up  hill,  during  the  hottest 
hours  of  a  very  hot  day,  and  the  reader  will  get  the  best  idea  that  can  be 
given  why  this  march  from  the  capitol  building  to  Arlington  Heights  was 
one  not  soon  to  be  forgotten  by  those  who  made  it. 

Many  a  tramp  of  three  or  four  times  the  distance  through  the  heat  and 
dust,  or  the  mud  and  rain,  of  Virginia,  was  afterwards  made  with  much 
less  hardship  and  suffering.  Some  of  the  men,  being  immediately  put  on 
guard  and  exposed  to  a  heavy  shower  while  still  wet  with  the  perspiration 
of  the  march,  contracted  colds  from  which  they  never  recovered.  And 
thus  soon  did  sickness  and  disease  from  hardship  and  exposure  —  more 
destructive,  though  less  feared  in  war  than  the  weapons  of  the  enemy  — 
begin  their  work  of  decimation  in  the  strong  and  stalwart  ranks  of  the 
Twelfth. 

The  encampment  on  Arlington  Heights  —  called  "  Camp  Chase,1'  after 
one  of  New  Hampshire's  most  honored  sons,  then  secretary  of  the  treasury  — 
was  pleasantly  located  on  General  Lee's  estate,  overlooking  Georgetown 
and  Washington.  Little  could  the  patriotic  father,  the  brave  and  honored 
"  Light  Horse  Harry"  of  the  Revolution,  have  thought  or  dreamed  that 
the  beautiful  estate  upon  which  he  spent  his  last  years  would  in  the  next 
generation  become  the  camping  ground  of  troops,  raised  to  save  the  same 
flag  for  which  he  fought  from  the  traitorous  grasp  of  his  own  son.  It  is 
now  occupied  as  a  national  cemetery,  where  General  Sheridan  and  over 
sixteen  thousand  more  of  the  Nation's  brave  defenders  rest  in 

"  Their  silent  tents  of  green." 

In  compliance  with  orders  above  referred  to,  Colonel  Potter,  upon  reach 
ing  the  Heights,  reported  to  General  Casey  commanding  a  division  of  the 
Reserve  Army  Corps,  defences  of  Washington,  and  by  special  order  from 
his  headquarters,  dated  October  i,  1862,  was  temporarily  assigned  to  a 
provisional  brigade  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-seventh  New  York, 
One  Hundred  and  Fifty-seventh  New  York,  and  the  Twenty-first  Con 
necticut  Volunteer  regiments,  then  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Dexter 
B.  Wright. 

The  second  day,  after  pitching  tents  and  before  fairly  rested  from  their 
march,  the  men  received  their  first  lesson,  so  thoroughly  learned  by  future 
experience,  of  changing  base  by  moving  their  camp  a  short  distance  across 
the  road.  But  this  was  the  first  and  last  time  that  the  men  had  to  supply 
the  want  of  mule  teams,  by  carrying  in  their  arms  and  upon  their  shoulders 


28  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

all  the  regimental  baggage  and  camp  equipage  that  is  usually  hauled  on 
the  baggage  wagons.  On  the  6th,  by  virtue  of  a  special  order  of  the  day 
before,  from  General  Wright,  another  change  of  base  was  made,  and  the 
regiment  moved  about  three  miles  to  near  Fort  Corcoran  (now  called 
Fort  Meigs),  where  it  joined  General  Whipple's  division  of  the  Third 
Army  Corps,  as  an  independent  command. 

It  was  here  that  the  boys  found  rare  sport  in  trying  to  break  in  a  lot 
of  mules  that  were  as  green  in  knowing  what  to  do  as  their  instructors 
were  in  knowing  how  to  teach  them.  And  of  all  the  incongruous  mixtures 
of  army  life  there  was  nothing  that  could  compare  in  the  fun,  fuss,  arid 
fight  of  persistent  efforts  and  ludicrous  results,  with  a  few  New  England 
Yankees  and  a  lot  of  unbroken  mules.  In  lofty  tumbling,  neck-back 
riding,  balking,  bucking,  and  kicking,  they  could  discount  Dan  Rice  and 
his  trained  ponies,  whether  inside  the  ring  or  out.  Some  of  the  men, 
who  had  enlisted  as  teamsters  concluded,  after  a  short  but  sad  experience, 
that  they  had  rather  take  their  chances  with  a  rebel  than  with  a  mule  bat 
tery,  and  willingly  exchanged  the  whip  for  a  musket. 

In  the  brief  time  the  regiment  remained  at  Fort  Corcoran  but  little  of 
historic  interest  occurred,  except  the  exchanging  of  the  old  French  mus 
kets,  brought  from  Concord,  and  previously  captured  on  the  blockade- 
running  steamer  "Bermuda,"  for  Springfield  muskets  and  rifles;  the 
latter  being  given  to  the  right  and  left  companies,  C  and  F. 

To  effect  this,  the  march  to  the  city  and  back,  and  two  or  three  hours 
waiting  in  the  arsenal  yard  under  a  meridian  sun  that  sent  the  mercury  up  to 
ninety  or  more  in  the  shade,  was  a  sharp  reminder  of  the  march  made  a 
few  days  before  and  almost  as  tiresome. 

After  exchanging  muskets  the  regiment  was  marched  up  to  Pennsylvania 
avenue,  ranks  broken,  and  the  men  allowed  to  rest  and  refresh  themselves, 
each  to  his  liking,  for  an  hour  or  two  before  returning  to  camp.  Just  as 
the  order  to  break  ranks  was  obeyed  with  a  glad  clap  for  a  short  respite 
from  military  bonds,  a  regiment  much  resembling  the  Twelfth  comes 
marching  down  the  avenue  and  as  it  approaches  nearer  is  found  to  be 
the  Thirteenth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  and  is  greeted  with  a  cheer 
which  is  heartily  returned.  It  seemed  good  to  see  another  regiment  fresh 
from  the  old  granite  hills.  But  Colonel  Potter  was  not  so  well  pleased 
when  he  learned  that  the  muskets  they  carried  were  the  very  ones  he  had 
picked  out  and  ordered  shipped  to  Concord  for  his  own  regiment,  but 
not  arriving  there  until  after  his  departure,  had  been  turned  over  to  the 
Thirteenth  Regiment  instead  of  being  forwarded  to  his  own  command,  as 
they  should  have  been.  When  the  long  roll  was  beat  for  the  men  to 
rally  in  line  for  the  return  march,  one  of  the  musicians  did  not  respond. 
It  seems  that  he  had  caught  the  transfer  spirit  exhibited  by  the  musket- 
bearer,  and  had  exchanged  his  flute  for  a  walking  stick,  preferring  to  be 
a  counterfeit  gentleman  at  large,  than  an  honest  man  and  true  soldier  in 
the  service  of  his  country. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  29 

A  day  or  two  after  exchanging  muskets,  Prescott  Y.  Rowland,  of  Com 
pany  D,  had  his  right  hand  and  one  or  two  fingers  of  his  left  blown 
oft'  by  the  accidental  discharge  of  his  gun,  and  was  discharged  a  few 
days  later,  being  the  first  man  dropped  from  the  company  rolls. 

Arlington  Heights  being  the  great  rendezvous  camp  of  nearly  all  the 
troops  from  the  East,  preparatory  to  taking  the  field,  it  was  thought  neces 
sary  in  order  to  give  the  finishing  touch,  that  everything  should  be  strictly 
"according  to  Casey,"  whose  tactics  had  been  adopted  at  the  beginning 
of  the  war ;  and  hence  the  author  himself,  Brig.  Gen.  Silas  Casey  of  the 
regular  army,  had  been  put  in  command. 

Here,  therefore,  company  and  battalion  drills  were  the  order  of  the 
day  ;  and  the  officers  of  the  line  were  kept  busy  studying  and  practicing 
positions,  formations,  and  evolutions,  that  they  might  not  appear  quite  so 
green  and  awkward  as  they  felt.  White  gloves  and  red  tape,  in  regular 
West  Point  style,  had  to  be  worn  and  measured  by  officers  and  men, 
and  everything,  perpendicular  or  horizontal,  as  straight  as  a  line. 

This  strictness  of  discipline,  though  seemingly  frivolous  and  non- 
essential,  was  more  or  less  necessary  to  trim  oft'  and  smooth  down  the 
rough  friction  points  of  individual  independence  that  belongs  to  a  free 
citizen,  and  makes  him  a  smooth  running  part  of  the  great  military 
machine  known  as  an  army,  where  the  gate  and  the  brake  are  both  under 
the  absolute  control  of  one  man. 

To  show  the  reader  of  future  years  that  the  fe\v  days'  stop  at  Arlington 
Heights  were  not  idle  ones,  but  diligently  preparatory  to  the  coming 
strife,  we  will  give  the  regular  order  of  the  day  as  officially  promulgated 
from  headquarters  : 

Reveille  at  5  a.  m.  (roll-call  immediately  following)  ;  breakfast  call, 
6;  surgeon's  call,  6.45;  squad  drill,  7  to  8  ;  guard  mount,  8;  officers' 
drill,  8.30  to  9.30  ;  battalion  drill,  9.30  to  10.30  ;  first  sergeant's  call,  n  ; 
dinner  call,  12  :  inspection  of  quarters,  i  p.  m.  ;  company  drill,  2.30  to 
4;  dress  parade  —  first  call,  5.10,  second  call,  5.30;  supper,  6;  school 
of  instruction  (for  officers),  7.30;  tattoo,  9;  taps,  9.30. 

On  Sundays  there  was  company  inspection  at  8.30  a.  m.  ;  church  call, 
ii  ;  in  addition  to  the  regular  camp  calls,  except  for  police  and  fatigue 
duty  and  drills. 

But  drill  and  discipline  of  this  kind,  however  much  needed,  could  no 
longer  be  given,  for  the  call  from  the  field  was  more  urgent.  And  so  by 
three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  I7th  of  October,  the  regiment  had 
obeyed  the  order  of  the  night  before  to  be  ready  to  move  at  that  hour  in 
heavy  marching  order  and  three  days'  rations  ;  and  in  the  dim  light  of  an 
hour  later  it  was  on  the  march  for  Washington,  where  at  10  o'clock  it 
took  the  cars  for  Knoxville,  Md. 

The  train  was  made  up  mostly  of  baggage  and  stock  cars,  some  of  the 
latter  being  thickly  carpeted  with  manure  ;  and  the  men,  in  leaving,  as  in 
entering  the  capital  city,  were  strongly  reminded  of  the  cruel  necessities 
of  war. 


3O  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

But  experience  had  taught  them  a  good  lesson  which  they  did  not  fail 
to  make  both  practicable  and  profitable  on  this  as  on  the  former  occasion, 
and  good  vent  holes  for  bad  air  were  soon  made  through  the  sides  and 
tops  of  the  cars. 

The  regiment  passed  en  route  through  the  towns  of  Bladensburg 
(famous  as  the  old  dueling  ground  of  the  chivalrous  congress  members 
of  former  days,  and  for  the  battle  that  cost  us  the  national  capitol  in  the 
war  of  1812),  Bellsville,  White  Oak  Bottom,  Annapolis  Junction,  nearly 
to  the  Relay  House,  where  it  branched  oft"  onto  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio 
railroad  and  proceeded  slowly  and  cautiously  —  often  stopping  to  hear 
from  our  pickets  stationed  along  the  road  that  all  was  right  ahead  — 
through  Avola,  Elliot's  Mills,  Woodstock,  Sykesville,  Mount  Airy, 
Monoxa,  Point  of  Rocks,  and  Berlin,  to  Knoxville. 

The  train  reached  the  last  named  place,  about  three  miles  from 
Harper's  Ferry,  near  midnight,  where  it  was  relieved  of  its  living  freight 
and  dead  weight  of  men,  horses,  and  baggage,  and  by  the  light  of  fires 
that  were  quickly  kindled,  the  companies  found  their  proper  position  in 
line,  stacked  arms,  and  bivouacked  for  the  night. 

This  was  the  regiment's  first  experience  in  sleeping  uncovered  on  the 
ground,  but  the  night  was  warm,  and  the  men,  tired  and  sleepy,  will 
ingly  accepted  of  the  situation.  Indeed,  after  a  seven  miles'  march  and 
fourteen  hours  of  cattle-car  transportation,  rest  was  sweet,  and  Morpheus 
took  no  note  of  his  surroundings. 

At  the  roll-call  the  next  morning,  John  Nutter,  of  Company  F,  was 
missing.  The  last  seen  of  him  he  was  riding  with  many  others  on  the 
top  of  one  of  the  cars  where,  after  the  sun  went  down,  they  could  get 
fresh  air  to  breathe  and  a  cool  place  to  rest :  and  it  was  supposed  that 
during  the  night  he  fell  asleep,  rolled  off",  and  was  probably  killed.  But 
the  last  and  worst  part  of  the  supposition  happily  proved  incorrect,  for 
during  the  day  he  came  into  camp,  muttering  because  he  had  been  so 
unceremoniously  dumped  into  the  bushes  by  the  wayside  and  left  there  in 
the  night  to  find  his  way  into  camp  with  a  bruised  head  and  aching 
limbs. 

Others  would  doubtless  have  shared  the  same  fate,  or  a  worse  one,  if 
they  had  not  taken  the  precaution  to  fasten  themselves  to  the  car  before 
going  to  sleep. 

One  of  the  drummers  secured  his  anchorage  by  fastening  one  end  of  his 
drum  strap  to  his  waist  belt,  tucking  the  other  end  through  a  knot  hole, 
and  getting  one  of  his  comrades  inside  to  run  a  drumstick  through  the 
loop ;  and  in  this  way  he  swung  and  snoozed  to  his  journey's  end.* 

After  rather  a  late  breakfast  from  the  haversack  (some,  however, 
securing  a  hot  bite  from  the  frying  or  baking  pans  of  citizens  living  near 
by,  for  which  most  of  the  hungry  ones  too  dearly  paid,  if  any  account  is 
taken  of  acute  indigestion  in  addition  to  their  loss  of  "scrip,")  the  regi- 

*  But  for  this  drumstick  hitch  this  history  might  never  have  been  written. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  31 

ment  moved  a  short  distance  to  the  top  of  a  hill,  and  the  men  and  line 
officers  pitched  their  shelter  tents,  which  had  been  issued  to  them  before 
leaving  Fort  Corcoran,  for  the  first  time  with  many  a  joke  and  laugh. 
They  seemed  to  them  to  be  a  queer  and  scanty  covering  for  civilized  men, 
unused  to  being  cut  down  in  their  many  cumberous  domestic  comforts  to 
the  absolute  necessities  of  physical  existence  ;  and  some  were  reminded 
as  they  crawled  in  under  them  for  their  first  night's  trial,  how  true  it  is 

that 

"Man  wants  but  little  here  below 
Nor  wants  that  little  long;  " 

although  some  of  the  taller  ones  could  not  appreciate  the  wisdom  of  the 
last  word  when  trying  to  cover  six  feet  in  length  of  human  flesh  and 
bones  with  five  square  feet  of  cotton  drilling. 

These  shelter  tent  pieces  went  by  pairs  as  well  as  squares,  each  piece 
measuring  five  feet  each  way  with  buttons  and  loops  on  two  sides  so  that 
when  they  were  buttoned  together,  drawn  over  a  pole  supported  by 
crotched  sticks,  and  fastened  to  the  ground  by  small  stakes  through  the 
loops,  the  roof  and  two  sides  were  done. 

Then,  with  a  rubber  blanket  for  one  gable  end  —  the  other  remaining 
open  for  a  door,  and  to  allow  ample  stretching  room  for  the  long-legged 
ones  —  and  another  rubber  for  a  floor  if  the  ground  is  \vet,  and  the  Arab 
domicile  is  complete  and  ready  for  two. 

Near  this  first  shelter-tent  encampment  stood  a  church  —  not  quite  so 
costly  and  imposing  a  structure  as  some  whose  steeples  pierce  the  clouds, 
for  this,  after  the  style  of  all  the  country  churches  in  the  South,  had  no 
steeple  at  all.  As  the  door  of  the  vestry  in  the  basement  was  not  fastened, 
the  seats  therein  were  soon  pretty  well  filled  with  members  of  the  Twelfth, 
all  busily  engaged  in  writing  letters  to  inform  their  friends  and  relatives  at 
home  of  the  new  move  toward  "  Dixie,"  which  gave  it  the  appearance  of 
a  large  writing  school. 

The  next  day  was  the  Sabbath  ;  but  instead  of  attending  divine  service 
in  the  church  with  Chaplain  Ambrose  in  the  pulpit,  as  suggested  by  some, 
there  was  a  march  of  two  or  three  miles  and  another  spread  of  shelter- 
tents  on  the  east  side  of  South  Mountain,  near  Petersville.  Here,  on  the 
22d  of  October,  by  orders  from  "  Headquarters,  Army  of  the  Potomac," 
General  Whipple's  division  was  assigned  to  the  Twelfth  Army  Corps,  then 
commanded  by  Gen.  A.  S.  Williams. 

As  one  of  the  absurd  stories  that  would  often  be  circulated  through 
camp,  it  was  the  talk  among  the  men  about  this  time,  that  the  Twelfth  was 
an  independent  regiment,  and  could  not  be  holden  for  service  outside  of 
the  State  ;  and  was  therefore  going  back  to  New  Hampshire,  and  to  be 
stationed  at  Portsmouth. 

This  story,  which  was  believed  by  some,  —  the  wish  being  father  to  the 
thought,  —  started  from  the  fact  that  the  regiment  had  never  been  regularly 
brigaded,  and  now  that  another  assignment  had  been  made  without  being 


32  Hist  or  v  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

united  with  any  other  regiments  as  a  brigade,  the  wish  strengthened  into 
hope  with  many,  that  the  story  might  have  some  elements  of  truth  in  it. 

On  the  night  of  the  24th  the  division  marched  five  miles  to  Berlin,  and 
at  twelve  o'clock  the  Twelfth  bivouacked  until  morning  near  the  river. 
The  night  was  cold,  and  the  men  suffered  much,  lying  on  the  ground. 
Just  as  the  order  came  to  strike  tents,  the  stern  command  of  Death  ordered 
the  final  discharge  of  George  F.  Nichols,  of  Company  I,  who  died  after  a 
few  days  sickness  of  pneumonia.  There  was  hardly  time  to  bury  him,  and 
mark  his  grave  before  moving.  This  was  the  first  death  by  disease  in 
camp  since  leaving  Concord,  though  several  had  previously  died  away 
from  the  regiment,  and  Charles  A.  Norcross,  of  Company  F,  who  was  left 
with  several  others  sick  at  Berlin  when  the  regiment  crossed  the  river,  died 
there  a  few  days  afterward. 

"  Thus,  one  by  one,  from  the  ranks  they  fall) 
Untouched  by  sabre,  shell,  or  ball." 

After  one  more  day  and  night  on  the  north  side  of  the  Potomac,  the 
regiment  crossed  the  river  on  a  pontoon  bridge,  into  the  State  of  Virginia. 
The  hour  of  passage  was  n  A.  M.  ;  and  the  rain,  increasing  from  early 
morn  and  lasting  through  the  night,  made  its  introduction  to  the  "  Old 
Dominion "  somewhat  unpleasant.  And  a  few  of  the  members,  mostly 
from  Company  F,  anticipating  a  reception,  sooner  or  later,  more  unpleasant 
still,  never  even  waited  for  an  introduction,  but  left  the  night  before  for 
another  dominion  several  hundred  miles  nearer  the  north  pole. 

Once  fairly  on  the  "  sacred  soil,"  now  much  more  plastic  than  precious, 
the  boys  were  almost  immediately  seized  with  an  uncontrollable  desire 
to  test  the  nutritious  quality  of  the  grasses  it  produced,  as  compared  with 
that  of  their  native  hills ;  and  so  several  young  heifers  and  steers  were 
sliced  up  and  roasted  before  the  huge  camp  fires  that  were  kept  burning 
nearly  all  night  in  order  to  keep  warm. 

The  next  morning  was  clear  and  windy.  And  while  some  were  busy 
rekindling  the  fires  that  had  hardly  gone  out,  and  spreading  their  blankets 
for  the  sun  and  breeze  to  dry,  others  were  equally  diligent  in  gathering  in 
a  few  fresh  eggs  and  vegetables  to  be  quickly  cooked  and  served  up  with 
their  beefsteak  for  breakfast. 

A  sweet  potato  vine  was  at  that  time  a  great  curiositv  to  a  green  Yankee 
soldier,  but  it  did  not  take  him  long  to  find  out,  that  like  the  peanut,  it 
needed  Bulling  to  find  the  best  end  of  it. 

That  morning  Generals  McClellan  and  Burnside,  with  their  staffs,  rode 
by;  but  little  did  the  men  think,  as  they  looked  upon  them  for  the  first 
time,  that  President  Lincoln's  order  for  the  removal  of  one  and  the  pro 
motion  of  the  other,  was  on  that  very  day  to  be  issued  from  the  War 
Department. 

Before  night  the  Sixth,  Ninth,  and  Eleventh  New  Hampshire  regi 
ments  marched  by,  and  the  next  morning  the  Tenth  also  followed  in  the 
same  direction. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  33 

On  the  2pth,  by  Special  Orders,  No.  203,  Headquarters  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  Whipple's  division  was  temporarily  detached  from  the  Twelfth 
Army  Corps  and  ordered  "to  report  to  General  Burnside  for  special 
service."  The  same  day  the  regiment  moved  forward  about  two  miles  to 
Lovettsville  ;  and  the  day  following  it  marched  about  ten  miles  further  to 
Hillsborough,  where  it  encamped  for  two  days  in  a  very  pretty  grove  of 
trees,  too  pleasant  to  be  so  soon  abandoned  for  another  hard  days  march 
of  fifteen  miles  to  Snicker's  Gap.  Firing  was  now  heard  almost  every  day 
from  the  front,  where  our  cavalry  in  advance  were  engaged  with  the  rear 
guard  of  the  enemy.  Sometimes  the  distant  boom  of  their  light  artillery, 
sounding  nearer  as  our  forces  marched  farther,  when  the  rear  guard  of 
Lee's  army  would  for  a  while  check  their  advance,  would  make  the  raw 
troops  think  that  a  regular  battle  had  actually  commenced,  and  expect 
every  hour  that  they  would  be  ordered  to  halt  and  form  in  line  of  battle. 

Thus  from  Snicker's  Gap  through  Bloomfield,  Upperville,  and  Piedmont 
to  Orleans,  a  distance  of  about  thirty  miles,  the  regiment  by  easy  marches 
moved  southward. 

Here  the  regiment  remained  for  four  days,  and  as  no  rations  were  served 
until  the  supply  train  came  up  the  place  was  called  "  Starvation  Hollow." 
But  to  go  hungry  amidst  plenty,  seemed  as  unwise  as  it  was  unpleasant ; 
and  so  squads  from  each  company  went  out  to  invite  the  farmers  around 
about,  all  of  whom  claimed  to  be  good  Union  men,  to  contribute  a  little  to 
the  commissary  department. 

But  finding  their  willingness  to  give  in  inverse  ratio  to  their  professions, 
and  thinking  it  but  right  to  subsist  on  the  enemy's  country  when  necessity 
required,  it  took  but  few  denials  to  make  smart  thieves  out  of  poor  beg 
gars  ;  and  soon  the  fields  and  the  orchards  were  found  to  be  much  more 
liberal  than  their  owners. 

But  the  provost  guard  had  been  sent  out  by  order  of  the  division  com 
mander  to  keep  up  the  appearance,  at  least,  of  protection  of  private 
property,  and  one  hungry  squad  often  or  fifteen  of  "  Potter's  Pets"  were 
captured  one  day,  while  out  on  a  foraging  expedition  of  their  own,  and 
marched  to  division  headquarters.* 

Hearing  of  this,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Marsh  at  once  ordered  a  detail  of 
twenty  men  —  two  from  a  company  and  each  armed  with  his  musket  and 
a  sharp  knife  —  to  report  at  his  tent  immediately. 

Mounting  his  horse,  as  soon  as  the  detail  arrived,  he  said:  "Follow 
me  boys,  and  let  them  arrest  us  if  they  want  to." 

A  half-mile  march  across  fields  and  pastures,  and  —  not  the  enemy,  but 
a  flock  of  sheep  were  descried  quietly  grazing  a  short  distance  ahead. 
"  Deploy,  and  right  and  left  centre  swing,"  commands  the  colonel,  and 
though  not  found  in  Casey,  the  order  was  easily  understood  and  quickly 
executed,  the  sheep  retreating  into  a  corner  of  the  field. 

"Halt;  ready,  aim,  fire,"  came  in  rapid  succession  the  next  words 
of  command,  and  twenty  muskets  instantly  responded. 

*  See  anecdote. 


34  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

But  the  poor  sheep,  oh,  where  are  they? 
Badly  frightened  and  running  away, 
But  all  as  sound  as  before  the  fray, 

except  one  that  had  a  slight  limp  in  one  of  its  hind  legs,  probably  caused 
by  a  cramp-catch  at  so  sudden  a  start. 

"  Throw  down  your  guns  an'd  every  man  for  a  sheep,"  is  the  next 
order;  and  then,  with  a  run  and  a  rush,  the  hand-grab  charge  is  valiantly 
made,  and  ten  or  twelve  sheep  are  captured  and  brought  into  camp.  A 
few  minutes  later,  and  they  have  been  skinned,  dressed,  and  divided 
among  the  company  cooks. 

But  the  watchful  eyes  of  the  old  farmer  have  seen  his  sheep  captured 
and  carried  away,  and  soon  he  rides  into  camp  and  demands  pay  for 
them.  Colonel  Potter  has  seen  nothing  of  his  sheep,  and  thinks  the 
owner  has  probably  made  a  mistake  in  the  regiment,  as  his  men  would 
never  do  such  a  thing  without  orders ;  and  he  was  sure  that  he  had  never 
ordered  anything  of  the  kind. 

Still  the  old  man  persists,  but  finds  no  fresh  mutton,  nor  signs  of  any, 
in  the  camp,  wrhich  he  is  allowed  to  search.  Finally  the  lieutenant- 
colonel  tells  him  that  a  Union  man,  as  he  professed  to  be,  ought  not  to 
object  to  assisting  the  cause  by  contributing  a  few  sheep  to  satisfy  the 
appetite  of  the  hungry  soldiers,  and  asks  him  if  he  has  not  a  few  horses 
to  exchange  for  a  government  receipt  that  would  be  fully  paid  with  inter 
est  at  the  end  of  the  war,  upon  satisfactory  evidence  of  his  loyalty.  This 
inquiry  had  the  designed  effect  of  reminding  the  farmer  that  he  was 
needed  at  home,  in  which  direction  he  at  once  started,  after  assuring  the 
colonel  that  he  had  not  a  single  horse  he  could  possibly  spare. 

During  the  stay  at  Orleans  the  weather  was  very  cold,  several  inches 
of  snow  falling  one  day,  and  the  miles  of  rail  fence  that  disappeared 
must  have  demonstrated  the  fact  to  the  inhabitants  of  that  section  that  it 
is  nearly  as  expensive  to  warm  as  to  feed  an  army.  On  the  second  day 
the  Twelfth  moved  about  a  mile  and  pitched  tents,  in  regular  order,  on 
the  south  side  of  a  hill,  protected  from  the  cold  winds  by  woods  and 
affording  a  fine  view  of  the  country  in  the  opposite  direction. 

While  here  part  of  the  regiment  went  out  on  picket  for  the  first  time, 
and  Hutchins,  of  Company  I,  had  his  hand  shot  off. 

The  loth  was  bright  and  warm,  and  as  Commissary  Smith  started  the 
same  day  for  Washington  to  procure  rations,  it  was  hoped  the  regiment 
might  remain  there  for  a  few  days  ;  but  at  night  came  orders  to  march, 
which,  after  the  tents  were  all  struck  and  packed,  was  countermanded 
just  before  "  taps." 

The  next  forenoon,  the  order  being  renewed,  the  regiment  marched 
about  five  miles  to  Waterloo,  which  proved  to  be  a  very  small  place  for 
so  big  a  name ;  a  few  negro  huts  and  the  remains  of  an  old  woolen  mill 
being  about  all  the  buildings  it  contained.  The  encampment  here,  which 
was  on  a  high  rise  of  land  overlooking  the  town,  lasted  the  same  length 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  35 

of  time  as  at  Orleans  —  four  days  —  but  the  contrast  in  the  weather  rec 
ord  and  spirit  of  the  men  was  so  great,  that  it  might  have  been  appropri 
ately  called  Mount  Delight.  And  this  suggestion  will  be  acquiesced  in 
by  every  survivor,  when  he  remembers  that  here,  in  addition  to  a  fresh 
supply  of  sunshine  and  rations,  was  the  first  arrival  of  the  mail  after 
leaving  Arlington  Heights.  Although  less  than  a  month,  it  seemed  a 
long  time  without  hearing  anything  from  home,  and  all  were  indeed 
delighted  to  receive,  as  most  of  them  did,  one  or  more  letters  each  from 
relatives  and  friends  in  the  old  Granite  State. 

By  the  same  mail  news  came  of  the  removal  of  General  McClellan  as 
Commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  of  the  appointment  of 
Gen.  Ambrose  E.  Burnside  to  his  place,  the  latter  having  formally 
assumed  command  but  two  days  before. 

On  the  I4th,  the  division  was  inspected,  and  on  the  i6th  it  marched  to 
Washington,  where  it  again  joined  the  Third  Corps.  Here  the  sick  were 
taken  from  the  teams  and  ambulances,  as  well  as  many  from  the  ranks, 
and  sent  to  Washington. 

Edward  Pratt,  of  Company  C,  died  about  two  hours  after  getting  into 
camp,  and  others  soon  after  arriving  at  the  hospital  or  on  their  way 
there.  Of  the  latter  was  Stephen  Batchelder,  of  Company  F,  who  had 
been  made  by  the  rear  guard  to  march  during  the  day,  and  died  on  the 
cars  before  reaching  Washington  that  night. 

From  Washington  to  Falmouth,  via  Liberty,  Morrisonville,  Hartwood, 
and  Stafford,  the  much  more  rapid  movement  of  the  army  indicated  a 
new  impetus,  which  was  rightly  attributed  to  its  new  commander.  His 
plan  to  advance  against  Richmond  by  crossing  the  Rappahannock  at 
Fredericksburg,  instead  of  following  the  course  designed  by  McClellan, 
had  been  already  approved  of  by  the  President  with  the  suggestion  that 
delay  would  prove  fatal  to  its  success;  and  hence  ten  and  fifteen  miles, 
instead  of  five  and  six,  was  now  the  daily  progress  of  the  march. 

On  the  I9th,  while  on  the  march  from  Morrisville  to  Hartwood,  there 
was  a  threatened  attack  of  Stuart's  cavalry,  and  Whipple's  division  was 
halted,  formed  in  line  of  battle,  and  stood  to  arms  for  about  two  hours. 
The  Twelfth  was  drawn  up  in  support  of  Secom's  Excelsior  Battery,  and 
that  was  the  first  time  the  regiment  was  ever  formed  in  line  of  battle  in 
expectation  of  meeting  the  enemy. 

Companies  C  and  F  were  sent  out  toward  the  river  to  act  as  a  reserve 
for  the  out-posts,  in  case  the  enemy  should  advance.  That  night  the  reg 
iment  was  ordered  to  report  to  General  Pratt,  commanding  the  first  brig 
ade,  and  were  sent  out  on  picket  near  Beverly  Ford. 

For  three  or  four  days  before  reaching  Falmouth  much  rain  had  fallen, 
making  the  roads  so  bad  that  the  baggage  trains  were  left  far  in  the  rear. 
In  consequence  of  this,  as  was  then  supposed,  the  men  of  our  division 
were  put  on  limited  rations,  growing  smaller  and  smaller  each  day  until 
only  about  one  hard-tack  to  a  man  was  left  for  the  last  day's  march. 


36  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

''  Seven  miles  on  one  hard-tack,"  is  the  entry  found  in  one  soldier's  diary, 
and  it  is  strictly  true.  Many  marched  that  day  with  stomachs  as  empty 
as  their  haversacks,  and  but  for  their  comrades  sharing  with  them,  would 
not  have  had  a  mouthful  of  anything  to  refresh  them  but  water.  Hook 
er's  grand  division  of  the  army  reached  Hartwood  on  the  ipth,  and 
Whipple's  division  arrived  at  Stoneman's  Switch,  on  the  Fredericksburg 
and  Aquia  Creek  railroad,  on  the  23d.  From  this  time  until  the  2yth 
there  was  a  general  distribution  of  rations  throughout  the  whole  army, 
commissaries  of  regiments,  brigades,  and  divisions  that  had  a  little,  divid 
ing  with  those  that  had  less  or  none. 

By  reason  of  the  new  plan  of  operations  under  Burnside,  necessitating 
a  new  base  of  supplies,  the  army  was  obliged  to  subsist  on  short  rations 
for  several  days  before  and  after  reaching  Falmouth.  This  caused  a 
good  deal  of  grumbling  among  the  men,  who,  while  they  keenly  felt  the 
effects,  were  entirely  ignorant  of  the  cause.  It  was  believed  by  many 
that  Stuart's  cavalry  had  cut  off  and  captured  a  part  of  our  baggage 
and  supply  train,  and  there  was  no  little  apprehension  about  it,  for  troops 
were  then  surrounded  by  woods  on  every  side  and  had  no  chance  to  for 
age  for  themselves  as  at  Waterloo  and  other  places  on  the  march. 

From  the  lyth  to  the  27th  there  had  .been  much  rain  and  cloudy 
weather,  and  the  spirit  and  courage  of  the  army  were  gradually  on  the 
decline.  McClellan,  who  had  been  the  idol  of  the  old  soldiers,  and  still 
the  ideal  commander  of  many,  had  been  superseded  by  one  who,  though 
favorably  known,  had  never  won  that  distinction  that  inspires  confidence  ; 
the  different  commands  for  the  last  two  or  three  days,  waiting  in  the  rain 
and  cold,  where  they  had  last  halted,  for  orders  to  go  into  camp  or  move 
torward ;  the  large  number  that  were  sick  or  ailing,  especially  among  the 
new  troops  not  yet  inured  to  the  exposure,  privation,  and  hardship  of  the 
bivouac  and  the  march  ;  the  urgent  demands  of  hunger,  growing  daily 
more  imperative,  while  memory,  as  if  to  tantalize,  pictured  to  the  mental 
vision,  the  turkeys,  puddings,  and  pies  that  were  being  prepared  for 
Thanksgiving  at  home,  —  all  united  with  the  elements  to  make  the  soldiers 
ill-humored  and  despondent. 

But  the  reveille  of  the  27th  rings  out  cheeringly  through  the  clear  air 
of  a  cloudless  morn,  and  the  men  "  turn  out  for  roll-call"  with  a  new 
hope  that  their  dreams  of  rations,  good  and  plenty,  will  soon  be  realized. 
And  they  hope  not  in  vain,  for  the  bright  sun  has  hardly  risen  above  the 
tree  tops  when  for  miles  around  the  woods  resound  with  loud  and  gladsome 
cheers,  as  the  news  spread  that  pork,  beans,  and  hard-tack,  most  welcome 
guests,  had  actually  arrived  at  Falmouth  station  and  would  soon  be 
brought  into  camp.  "Cheer  up,  boys!  Stewed  beans  and  hard-tack 
for  Thanksgiving  dinner  !  "  And  the  remembrance  of  that  dinner  with 
every  member  of  the  Twelfth  (if  not  of  the  whole  army  who  were  there 
and  able  to  eat)  will  be  as  lasting  as  life. 

New  Englanders,  as  they  were,  they  never  before  knew  how  to  appre 
ciate  the  Thanksgiving  of  their  Puritan  fathers. 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  37 

Later  in  the  afternoon  Colonel  Marsh  took  the  regiment  out  to  go 
through,  as  was  supposed,  the  usual  drill.  But  instead  of  that,  after 
forming  the  companies  en  masse,  he  made  a  short  address,  referring  to 
the  day  and  its  pleasant  memories,  and  called  for  three  cheers  for  the 
loved  ones  at  home.  Seldom  do  cheers  and  tears  unite,  but  this,  as  may 
be  imagined,  was  a  notable  exception.  After  returning  to  quarters,  the 
boys  broke  ranks  with  three  times  three  for  Colonel  Marsh. 

Nearer  night,  when  the  shades  of  evening  added  solemnity  to  the  occa 
sion,  the  solemn  roll  of  the  muffled  drum  is  heard,  as  the  remains  of 
Benjamin  W.  Weeks,  of  Company  D,  are  being  carried  and  followed  by 
sorrowing  comrades  to  the  grave,  into  which  each  one  drops  a  sprig  of 
evergreen  in  token  of  their  respect  and  esteem,  and  over  which  the  farewell 
salute  is  fired  in  honor  of  a  faithful  comrade  gone.  He  died  the  day 
before,  of  measles,  and  was  the  first  man  to  die  in  the  company,  and  the 
first  one,  except  the  captain,  whose  name  was  dropped  from  the  rolls. 

George  H.  Follett,  of  Company  I,  who  was  left  at  Hartwood  sick 
with  the  same  disease,  died  on  the  25th. 

On  the  first  day  of  December  a  detail  from  each  company  commenced 
clearing  a  place  in  the  woods  for  a  camping  ground,  and  the  next  day 
the  regiment  moved  across  the  railroad  a  few  rods,  and  commenced  build 
ing  quarters  and  putting  up  tents  on  the  cleared  ground. 

From  this  until  the  Fredericksburg  campaign,  most  of  the  time,  except 
two  or  three  hours  each  day  for  battalion  drill,  was  occupied  in  cutting, 
grubbing,  and  burning  up  the  trees,  stumps,  and  brush  for  camp  and 
parade  ground,  and  soon  several  acres  of  the  pine  forest  had  disappeared, 
and  in  its  place  had  sprung  up  a  little  village  of  small  white-roofed  houses. 

These  houses  —  better  called  huts  —  were  all  of  about  the  same  size 
and  style  of  architecture,  and  were  erected  on  regularly  laid  out  streets, 
one  for  each  company,  all  parallel  with  and  equally  distant  from  each 
other,  and  running  back  at  right  angles  with  a  broad  avenue,  on  the 
opposite  side  of  which  were  the  more  imposing  canvas  wall  and  roof 
structures  occupied  by  the  official  dignitaries  of  field  and  staff. 

But  most  needful  of  all,  and  therefore  one  of  the  first  to  be  erected, 
was  a  hospital  tent,  for  the  more  rapid  marching,  bad  weather,  and  want 
of  sufficient  rations  since  leaving  Warrington,  had  again  loaded  up  the 
ambulances  and  baggage  teams  not  already  over-loaded  with  the  sick 
and  dying. 

Some  died  while  being  thus  conveyed  ;  some  were  left  to  die  at  houses 
on  the  march  ;  while  others  lived  to  reach  Falmouth,  but  were  the  first  to 
sleep  beneath  the  pines  where  so  many  were  afterwards  buried  who  once 
mustered  and  marched  in  the  ranks  of  the  Twelfth.  Among  the  latter 
were  John  G.  Brown,  of  Company  E,  and  George  R.  Clement,  of  Com 
pany  G,  who  both  died  on  the  pth,  the  latter  dying  with  his  testament  in 
his  hand  upon  his  breast,  and  was  buried  with  it  in  the  same  position. 


CHAPTER    III. 

FREDERICKSBURG. 

The  army  under  Gen.  Ambrose  E.  Burnside  had  been  organized  by  him 
into  three  grand  divisions,  and  formed  in  the  attack  on  Fredericksburg, 
the  right,  left,  and  centre,  commanded  respectively  by  Major-Generals 
Sumner,  Franklin,  and  Hooker. 

The  Centre  Grand  Division  was  composed  of  the  Third  and  Fifth 
corps,  then  commanded  by  Brigadier-Generals  Stoneman  and  Butter- 
field,  and  the  Third  Division  of  the  Third  Corps,  which  included  General 
Piatt's  and  Colonel  Carroll's  brigades  and  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire 
Regiment — an  independent  command,  taking  the  place  of  a  brigade  — 
all  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Amiel  W.  Whipple. 

The  better  to  understand  the  somewhat  inactive,  but  none  the  less 
important  and  trying  part  that  the  Twelfth  took  in  this  battle,  as  well  as 
to  refresh  the  memory  of  the  reader,  it  may  be  stated  here  that  General 
Burnside's  plan  seems  to  have  been  to  dislodge  General  Lee  from  his 
chosen  position  in  the  rear  of  Fredericksburg  by  turning  his  right  flank 
with  the  left  wing  of  his  own  army,  under  General  Franklin.  Sumner, 
in  the  meantime,  with  the  right  wing  was  to  cross  over  the  river  into  the 
city,  and  engage  the  enemy  in  front  to  prevent  him  from  reinforcing  his 
right;  and  to  carry  the  heights  and  break  his  centre,  so  soon  as  the 
success  of  Franklin  should  make  such  an  attempt  practicable. 

Hooker's  grand  division  was  to  assist  Sumner  as  needed,  but  to  be 
held  mainly  in  reserve. 

But  one  thing  was  evident,  clearly  and  emphatically,  that  Franklin 
must  succeed  or  Burnside  was  defeated ;  and  for  this  reason  he  was 
reinforced  before  advancing  by  two  divisions  from  the  Third  Corps  and 
one  division  from  the  Tenth  Corps,  increasing  his  command  to  sixty 
thousand,  with  which  to  meet  and  drive  back  General  Jackson  who  com 
manded  the  left  of  the  Confederate  army,  General  Longstreet  command 
ing  the  right.  This  left,  according  to  General  Burnside's  official  report, 
only  fifty-three  thousand,  about  equally  divided  between  Sumner  and 
Hooker ;  although  some  authorities  place  the  grand  aggregate  much 
higher. 

General  Burnside  testified  before  the  committee  on  the  conduct  of  the 
war  that  he  "  had  about  one  hundred  thousand  men  on  the  south  side  of 
river,  and  every  single  man  of  them  was  under  artillery  fire,  and  about 
half  of  them  were  at  different  times  formed  in  columns  of  attack."* 

*  Report  of  Com.,  part  1,  page  656. 


New  Hampshire    Volunteers.  39 

To  oppose  this  force  General  Lee  had  less  than  eighty  thousand 
(78,228)  men  ;  but  to  offset  the  balance  against  him  in  numbers  he  had 
"  Stonewall"  Jackson,  who  alone,  against  Franklin  was  equal  at  least  to 
a  corps  of  ten  thousand  veterans,  while  Longstreet,  impregnably  fortified 
as  he  was  by  nature  and  military  skill,  was  a  match  for  fifty  thousand 
more. 

In  fact  the  odds  were  so  overwhelmingly  in  favor  of  the  Confederates 
that  even  Jefferson  Davis  was  ashamed  to  own  that  they  had  over  twenty 
thousand  actively  engaged  in  the  battle.* 

It  will  be  remembered  that  General  Burnside's  original  design  was  to 
occupy  Fredericksburg  as  early  as  the  i8th  or  2Oth  of  November, 
before  Lee  could  concentrate  his  forces  there,  but  was  delayed  on 
account  of  the  failure  of  General  Halleck  to  supply  him  with  the  pontoon 
boats  that  had  been  promised.  And  now,  when  at  last,  but  too  late,  the 
boats  were  on  hand  he  determined  to  make  the  most  of  them.  He  there 
fore  ordered  "two  bridges  built  at  a  point  near  the  Lacey  house,  opposite 
the  upper  part  of  the  town  —  one  near  the  steamboat  landing  at  the  lower 
part  of  the  town,  one  about  a  mile  below  —  and,  if  there  were  pontoons 
sufficient,  two  at  the  latter  point." 

These  were  not  only  constructed  as  ordered  on  the  nth,  but  another 
was  laid  during  the  night  near  the  last  two,  making  six  bridges,  three 
opposite  and  three  below  the  city,  and  averaging  four  hundred  and  ten 
yards  in  length,  that  spanned  the  Rappahannock  on  the  morning  of 
the  I2th. 

From  what  is  written  it  will  be  seen  that  notwithstanding  the  pontoons 
had  come  and  bridges  were  plenty,  the  opportunity  to  successfully  use 
them  had  long  past ;  and  delays,  whether  needless  or  unavoidable,  had 
made  General  Burnside's  pre-determined  attempt  to  cross  the  river  and 
attack  the  enemy  at  Fredericksburg  a  very  hazardous  one.  But 
apparently  with  more  persistency  than  discretion,  he  determined  to  carry 
out  his  original  plan,  however  important  the  change  of  circumstances. 
And  so  on  the  loth  day  of  December,  just  as  the  sun  was  setting,  orders 
came  to  Colonel  Potter  to  be  ready  to  move  in  an  hour's  notice,  in  light 
marching  order,  with  sixty  rounds  of  cartridges  and  four  days'  rations. 

The  long  discussed  question  among  the  troops  whether  there  would  be 
any  aggressive  movement  made  by  the  army  that  winter  was  now 
decided  ;  and  by  6  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  regiment  was  in  line, 
and  soon  moving  toward  the  sound  of  cannon  in  the  direction  of  Freder 
icksburg.  Tents  were  left  standing  in  which  were  left  knapsacks, 
surplus  clothing,  and  camp  equipage  in  the  care  and  under  the  guard  of 
sick  ones  who  were  able  to  do  light  duty.  After  marching  about  two 
miles  a  halt  was  ordered,  and  expecting  to  resume  the  march  every 
minute  until  dark,  remained  there  until  8  or  9  o'clock  the  next  day. 

It  was  a  very  cold  night,  water  freezing  to  quite  a  depth,  and  the  men 
suffered  much. 

*  Rise  and  Fall  of  the  Confederate  Government,  Vol.  II,  page  356. 


40  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

During  this  halt  on  the  nth,  heavy  cannonading  was  heard  at  intervals, 
accompanied  with  considerable  musketry  firing,  and  it  was  supposed 
that  a  heavy  battle  was  in  progress.  But  the  firing  heard  and  the  delay 
of  the  troops,  as  soon  learned,  was  caused  by  the  efforts  of  the  enemy's 
sharpshooters  to  prevent  or  retard  the  laying  of  the  pontoon  bridges. 

Their  fire  was  so  effective  and  their  efforts  so  persistent  that  from  day 
light  until  3  or  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  notwithstanding  a  storm  of 
shot  and  shell  from  several  batteries  of  the  one  hundred  and  forty- 
seven  guns  planted  along  the  river  bank,  that  tore,  crashed,  and  swept 
through  the  houses  and  streets,  they  held  back  the  pontooniers  by  the 
unerring  aim  of  their  deadly  rifles.  And  it  was  not  until  three  or  four 
regiments  of  infantry  volunteered  to  cross  the  river  in  boats  and  drive 
them  from  their  protected  positions  behind  houses  and  in  cellars  and 
ditches,  that  the  bridges  were  completed. 

Thus  a  few  selected  sharpshooters  from  Barksdale's  brigade  of  Missis- 
sippians  held  the  whole  Union  army  in  check  for  nearly  the  whole  of 
one  day  ;  for  although  one  of  the  bridges  below  the  town  was  ready  for 
Franklin's  forces  to  cross  by  9  o'clock,  and  some  of  them  did  cross,  it 
was  unsafe  for  him  to  advance  without  the  cooperation  of  the  rest  of  the 
army. 

The  Seventh  Michigan,  Nineteenth  and  Twentieth  Massachusetts,  and 
the  Eighty-ninth  New  York  regiments  have  the  honor  of  finally  driving 
all  of  them  from  the  city,  that  were  not  captured,  and  opening  the  way  for 
the  army  to  follow. 

It  was  a  gallant  act,  made  necessary  by  the  determined  resistance  of 
men  equally  brave,  and  in  that  sense  no  less  worthy  of  praise. 

When  the  sun  went  down  on  this  day  of  active  preparation  for  the  awful 
sacrifice  soon  to  follow,  it  looked  like  a  ball  of  fire,  so  thick  were  the 
smoke-clouds  through  which  it  shone. 

On  the  morning  of  the  I2th,  after  a  cold,  uncomfortable  bivouac  on  the 
frozen  ground,  Whipple's  division  was  ordered  to  advance  to  the  head  of 
the  centre  bridge  in  front  of  the  city,  and  soon  the  Twelfth,  marching 
about  two  miles  farther,  received  the  order,  "  In  place,  rest,"  a  little  way 
to  the  left  and  rear  of  the  Lacey  house,  which  stands  on  the  high  plateau 
opposite  the  city  of  Fredericksburg.  A  part  of  Sumner's  forces  had  crossed 
over  the  river  and  occupied  the  town  before  daylight,  and  troops  were  still 
crossing,  while  thousands  awaited  their  chance  on  the  Falmouth  side, 
covered  from  the  enemy's  view  by  a  thick  fog  which  greatly  favored  their 
approach  and  passage.  Two  or  three  hours  later  General  Whipple  received 
orders  to  move  his  division  over  the  upper  bridge,  hold  the  approaches  to 
the  city  from  the  southwest,  and  to  protect  the  right  flank  of  General 
Couch's  command  (Second  Corps,  under  Sumner),  while  that  general  was 
moving  forward  to  attack  the  enemy  in  front. 

In  obedience  to  this  order  the  First  Brigade  —  General  Piatt's — attempted 
to  cross ;  but  when  the  head  of  it  entered  the  city,  the  troops  of  General 


Nezv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  41 

Couch  were  so  densely  massed  in  the  streets  and  on  the  river's  bank  as  to 
obstruct  the  passage,  and  the  column  was  compelled  to  halt,  the  pontoon 
bridge  being  crowded  full,  and  the  column  of  troops  stretching  far  back 
to  the  rear. 

It  was  past  noon  when  the  Twelfth  moved  up  toward  the  upper  bridge 
to  take  its  place  in  the  division  column,  and  in  a  few  minutes  it  was,  for  the 
first  time,  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy.  It  was  a  sudden  and  savage  intro 
duction,  and  forcibly  indicative  of  the  reception  that  awaited  it  upon  the 
other  shore.  The  kind  mists  of  the  elements  that  had  for  many  hours 
screened  the  movements  of  our  army  having  now  dissolved  into  thin  air, 
the  rebel  artillerists  seemed  determined  to  make  up  for  their  lost  time  and 
opened  a  rapid  and  concentrated  fire  upon  all  the  troops  within  the  range 
of  their  guns. 

The  regiment,  marching  in  column  over  the  bluff  near  the  Lacey  house, 
had  just  come  into  plain  sight  of  the  rebel  batteries  that  lined  the  heights 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  when  three  shells,  in  quick  succession, 
came  with  hissing  vengeance  to  warn  and  drive  it  back.  The  first  one, 
in  exact  range,  but  too  elevated,  passed  harmlessly  over ;  the  second 
buried  itself  in  the  bank  just  in  front ;  but  the  third,  with  fatal  accuracy, 
struck  and  exploded  in  the  rear  of  Company  K,  wounding  six  in  that 
company  and  two  in  Company  B.  Instantly  Colonel  Potter,  with  rare 
presence  of  mind,  gave  the  order,  "  Right  oblique,  double  quick,  march." 
This  brought  the  regiment  out  of  range  and  under  cover  at  the  same 
time,  and  never  was  an  order  more  promptly  obeyed  or  quicker  executed, 
although  it  is  not  claimed  that  when  the  men  halted  and  fronted  under 

D 

the  bluff,  that  every  file  leader  was  covered  by  the  same  rear  rank  man 
as  when  they  last  right-faced  into  column. 

Yet  the  comparatively  cool  and  steady  manner  of  the  men  was  most 
commendable  and  satisfied  their  commander,  that,  if  he  was  not  leading 
veteran  regulars  he  had  the  material  from  which  they  could  soon  be  made, 
and  upon  which  in  the  hour  of  coming  trial  he  could  safely  rely. 

The  following  officers  and  men  were  wounded  :  Lieut.  Charles  Marsh 
and  Everett  Jenkins,  of  Company  B  ;  Lieut.  William  F.  Dame,  Samuel 
S.  Eaton,  Benjamin  Ellsworth,  Cyrus  J.  Philbrick,  Homer  Eames,  and 
James  E.  Tibbetts,  of  Company  K  ;  the  last  two  mortally,  both  dying  a 
few  days  afterward.  Jenkins  was  also  very  severely  wounded,  lying  at 
the  point  of  death  for  a  long  time,  and  leaving  him  a  suffering  cripple  for 
life  ;  and  all  the  rest  were  permanently  disabled. 

Instead  of  crossing  over  the  river  that  day,  as  was  expected,  the  regi 
ment  remained  under  the  bluff  until  after  dark,  with  the  shells  bursting 
just  above  or  in  the  bank  beyond,  showering  it  with  mud  and  dirt.  It  then 
marched  back  over  the  bluff  about  half  a  mile,  and  bivouacked  in  a 
muddy  cornfield  which  had  been  sufficiently  thawed  out  by  the  mid-day's 
sun  to  offer  a  bed  rather  too  soft  to  be  comfortable.  Some,  who  slept 
regardless  of  their  surroundings,  awoke  the  next  morning  to  find  them- 


42  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

selves  anchored  fast  to  the  frozen  ground,  their  hair,  in  two  or  three 
instances,  being  the  main  cable.  With  such  a  place  for  a  bed,  and  a 
heavy  sheet  of  frost  for  a  covering,  it  required  no  great  effort  of  mind  and 
memory  to  draw  the  sad  contrast  between  that  and  the  live-geese  feathers 
and  woolen  blankets  of  home.  The  contrast  was  so  great,  and  the  incli 
nation  for  the  latter  so  strong,  that  a  few  unwisely  concluded  to  then  and 
there  rescind  their  contract  with  "  Uncle  Sam,"  and  go  where  they  could 
find  more  comfortable  quarters.  It  was,  indeed,  taking  the  day  and  night 
together,  a  most  disheartening  start-out  for  comparatively  raw  recruits 
from  New  England  homes,  unused  to  hardship  or  danger.  Thinking  it 
but  a  foretaste  of  what  was  to  come,  it  is  not  so  strange  that  some,  acting 
on  the  impulse  of  the  moment,  and  not  seriously  considering  the  far 
reaching  consequences,  should,  with  fear  and  suffering  to  impel,  so  far 
forget  the  obligations  of  honor  and  manhood  as  to  yield  to  the  craven 
behests  of  self-comfort  and  safety.  That  they  did,  however,  has  doubtless 
been  the  one  great  sorrow  and  regret  of  their  lives.  Some  of  them  after 
ward  apprehended  received  but  slight  punishment  and  served  bravely  and 
faithfully  to  the  end  of  the  war. 

The  next  morning  another  start  was  made  for  the  river,  but  by  a  cir 
cuitous  route  through  a  ravine  to  avoid  farther  molestation  from  the  rebel 
shells,  and  to  give  the  men  a  chance  to  warm  themselves  up  with  a  cup 
of  hot  coffee,  where  the  smoke  of  their  own  fires  would  not  draw  upon 
them  the  fire  of  the  enemy.  Heavy  volleys  of  musketry  are  soon  heard 
across  the  river,  and  our  heavy  guns,  still  remaining  on  the  Falmouth 
side,  thunder  back  defiance  to  the  enemy's  batteries  that  flash  along  the 
crest  of  Marye's  heights.  There  is,  also,  a  continuous  roar  and  crash  of 
artillery  on  the  left,  where  a  part  of  Franklin's  forces,  under  Mead,  are 
engaged  against  Stuart  and  Hill  in  the  attempt  to  turn  the  enemy's  right. 
About  10  o'clock  the  sun  burst  through  the  thick  fog  that  hung  over  the 
city,  and  the  Twelfth  moved  toward,  and  halted  near  the  head  of  the 
upper  pontoon  bridge. 

Nearly  two  hours  later,  while  the  battle  was  raging  in  all  its  fury,  the 
regiment  crossed  the  river  into  the  city,  and  halting  in  one  of  the  streets 
close  to  and  parallel  with  the  river,  awaited  further  orders. 

It  was  while  standing  here  in  the  mud  and  water,  that  the  wounded 
soldiers  in  ambulances  and  on  stretchers  were  carried  by,  bleeding,  groan 
ing,  and  dying  as  they  passed,  and  the  faces  of  some  of  the  regiment 
were  nearly  as  pale  as  the  poor  sufferers,  as  they  looked  for  the  first  time 
upon  the  heart-sickening  horrors  of  the  battlefield.  It  was  not  a  scene 
to  make  new  troops  feel  especially  eager  or  impatient  to  mingle  in  the 
deadly  strife  from  which  these  wounded  and  mangled  men  had  just  been 
brought,  and  into  which  the  sober  and  silent  lookers  on  expected  in  a  few 
moments  to  be  led. 

After  waiting  here  in  anxious  suspense  for  nearly  two  hours,  an 
orderly,  bare-headed  and  covered  with  mud  and  blood,  comes  dashing 


New  Hampshire    Volunteers.  43 

down  the  street,  followed  by  screeching  shells,  and  hands  a  paper  to 
Colonel  Potter. 

While  the  colonel  is  reading  it,  there  is  a  "zu-o-o-o-i-s-h"  and  a 
"  thud,'"  and  the  orderly's  horse  lies  dead  beneath  his  rider. 

'k  Attent-i-o-n,"  is  now  the  quick  and  stern  command  of  the  colonel,  as 
he  vaults  into  his  saddle  ;  but  it  is  little  needed,  for  business  is  too  important 
and  pressing  now  to  admit  of  any  lack  of  vigilance  on  the  part  of  officers 
or  men. 

The  regiment  at  once  advanced  on  the  double-quick  up  Amelia  street  to 
Princess  Anne  street  —  the  third  one  from  the  river,  and  about  half  way 
through  the  city  —  where  it  filed  off  right  and  left,  just  in  time  to  escape 
a  terrific  volley  from  the  rebel  artillery  that  swept  the  street  it  had  just 
left,  and  which  must  have  many  times  multiplied  the  casualties  of  the  day 
before,  had  not  Colonel  Potter  concluded  to  give  them  the  exclusive  right 
of  way  just  as  he  did. 

But  the  march  up  the  street,  although  lasting  but  a  few  moments,  was 
by  no  means  a  quiet  nor  a  safe  one,  several  shot  passing  just  over  the 
regiment  or  striking  near  by-  One  shell  struck  and  exploded  near  the 
head  of  the  battalion,  throwing  the  mud  in  all  directions  and  bespattering 
the  colonel  who  calls  out,  "  Steady,"  to  his  men,  as  he  coolly  takes  off  his 
spectacles  and  wipes  them  with  his  handkerchief ;  another  closely  winds 
Company  F,  and  kills  an  artillery  horse  close  behind  ;  while  a  third  leaves 
an  officer  mounted  for  an  instant  on  a  headless  horse,  as  he  was  crossing 
the  street  a  few  rods  in  advance.  Most  of  the  regiment  filed  in  column 
to  the  left  upon  reaching  Anne  street,  but  the  shells  and  solid  shot — some 
of  the  latter  in  ricochet  order  —  came  so  thick  and  fast  that  two  or  three 
of  the  rear  companies  cleared  the  street  by  the  left  flank,  and  thus  nar 
rowly  escaped  the  sweeping  volley  that  would  otherwise  have  torn  through 
their  ranks. 

Here  the  regiment  remained  under  cover  of  the  buildings — one  of 
which  was  a  church,  then  occupied  as  a  hospital,  and  the  steeple  of  which 
was  used  as  a  signal  tower  —  until  past  4  o'clock,  or  nearly  dark,  when 
it  again  advanced,  proceeding  this  time  to  the  outside  of  the  city,  toward 
the  enemy,  and  deployed  in  line  of  battle  on  Prince  Edward  street,  with 
the  right  resting  on  Fauquier  street,  and  nearly  in  front  of  the  residence 
of  Col.  Robert  S.  Chew,  who  was  then  in  the  rebel  service,  and  after 
ward  colonel  of  the  Thirtieth  Virginia  Regiment.  General  Whipple's 
division  was  the  only  one  of  the  Third  Corps  on  this  part  of  the  battle 
field,  the  other  two,  Berney's  and  Sickles's,  having  been  detached  from 
Hooker's  command  to  support  Franklin,  before  crossing  the  river.  In 
fact,  Hooker's  grand  division,  which  had  been  intended  as  the  "  Old 
Guard"  reserve  to  be  kept  intact,  and  held  back  for  the  finishing  stroke, 
was  broken  up  into  fragments  and  distributed  over  the  field  as  early  as 
2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  i3th,  leaving  him  but  the  two  small 
divisions  of  Humphreys  and  Sykes,  not  to  follow  up  a  retreating  foe  and 


44  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

complete  a  great  victory,  but  as  the  last  desperate  hope  of  a  shattered 
and  defeated  army. 

No  wonder  that  General  Hooker  remonstrated  and  re-remonstrated,  but 
all  in  vain,  against  the  worse  than  needless  sacrifice  of  those  brave  men, 
who  had  thus  far  escaped  the  fiery  ordeal  of  an  assault.  This  noble  effort 
for  mercy  and  humanity  is  one  of  the  brightest  rays  that  illuminates  his 
name. 

The  last  desperate  charge  of  the  Union  forces  against  the  impassable 
stone  wall  at  the  foot  of  the  ridge,  by  General  Humphrey's  division,  had 
not  ended  when  the  Twelfth  took  its  position  on  Prince  Edward  street,  as 
above  stated.  Although  the  crash  of  musketry,  seemingly  heavier  than 
before  heard  during  the  day,  too  plainly  told  of  the  dreadful  carnage  going 
on  but  a  short  distance  to  the  right  and  front,  yet  the  men  began  to  hope 
that  their  good  luck  would  last  a  little  longer,  as  they  gladly  saw  the 
sun  —  now  more  like  a  ball  of  blood  than  of  fire  —  go  down  behind  that 
fatal  crest,  whose  name,  henceforth,  was  to  be  as  lasting  as  the  history  of 
their  country,  for  the  safety  and  honor  of  which  more  than  seven  thousand 
of  her  heroic  defenders  now  lay  dead  or  wounded  on  the  plain  below. 

The  thick  smoke  that  hung  over  the  field,  mingling  with  the  fast  gather 
ing  shades  of  night,  soon  shut  off  all  view  of  friend  or  foe  at  the  front,  save 
the  flash  of  the  enemy's  guns,  as  they  still  kept  up  their  pitiless  fire  upon 
Humphrey's  retreating  forces,  some  of  them  "retiring  slowly  and  in 
good  order,  singing  and  hurrahing."  * 

General  Whipple,  it  appears,  had  received  orders  early  in  the  day,  to 
cross  the  river,  send  one  brigade  to  report  to  General  Wilcox,  command 
ing  the  Ninth  Corps,  under  Sumner,  and  with  the  remainder  of  his 
division  to  guard  the  approaches  to  the  city  from  the  west,  and  protect  the 
right  flank  of  Howard's  division,  that  was  to  attack  in  front.  But  such 
had  been  the  delay  from  various  causes,  but  chiefly  the  stubborn  resistance 
of  the  enemy,  that  the  Second  Brigade  and  the  Twelfth  Regiment  did  not 
get  into  position  outside  the  city,  as  already  noticed,  until  nearly  dark. 
To  this  delay,  together  with  the  further  fact  that  the  Third  Corps  had 
been  divided  and  subdivided  until  it  was  scattered  among  as  many  as  seven 
or  eight  different  commands  on  the  right,  left,  and  centre,  some  of  them 
three  or  four  miles  apart,  is  probably  due  the  fortunate  escape  of  this  part  of 
Whipple's  division,  which  had  been  detached  from  the  corps  before  cross 
ing  the  river,  and  ordered  to  the  support  of  the  two  or  three  separate 
commands  just  mentioned. 

The  Second  Brigade  being  the  first  to  cross  the  river  on  the  I3th,  was 
quite  heavily  engaged  in  support  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  losing  over  one 
hundred  in  killed  and  wounded,  or  nearly  one  eighth  of  its  whole  number 
engaged,  before  the  rest  of  the  division  had  taken  their  positions  upon 
the  field. 

These  positions,  as  assigned  and  occupied  before  dark,  were  as  follows  : 
One  Hundred  and  Twenty-second  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  were  deployed 

*  General  Humphrey's  report. 


Ne-w  Hampshire   Volunteers.  45 

as  skirmishers  on  the  Fall  Hill  road,  between  the  canals  above  the  city 
and  upon  the  crest  of  the  ridge  upon  which  stands  the  Mary  Washington 
monument ;  while  two  companies  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth 
New  York  Volunteers  were  advanced  in  front  of  the  Kenmore  mansion, 
in  support  of  which  was  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire.  The  remainder 
of  Piatt's  brigade  —  the  Eighty-sixth  New  York  and  the  other  eight  com 
panies  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth  New  York  —  was  held  in 
reserve,  occupying  the  streets  in  the  rear. 

Of  the  batteries,  four  pieces  were  placed  on  the  right  near  the  upper 
end  of  the  city,  to  sweep  the  flats  and  bridges  across  the  canal,  and  four 
others  fust  to  the  right  of  the  Twelfth,  to  command  the  approaches  from 
the  front.  It  should  be  mentioned  here,  that  on  the  side  of  the  street 
toward  the  enemy  there  were  no  houses  for  a  part  of  the  distance  occupied 
by  the  regiment.  When,  therefore  it  deployed  along  this  street,  with  the 
flash  and  roar  of  the  battle  but  a  short  distance  in  front,  it  was  expected 
that  the  next  order  would  be  to  advance  in  line  of  battle  to  the  relief  of 
the  troops  engaged.  "I  expected  this  time  certain,  that  we  were  going 
into  action,  but  we  filed  into  another  street,  while  the  shells,  grape-shot, 
and  bullets  whistled  over  our  heads  and  about  our  ears  almost  every 
moment  we  were  marching  up,"  writes  Lieutenant  Furnal,  referring  to 
the  advance  from  Princess  Anne  to  Prince  Edward  street. 

Daylight  of  the  next  morning,  which  was  Sunday,  found  the  regiment 
in  plain  view  of  the  frowning  batteries  of  the  enemy,  from  which  a  morn 
ing-salute  was  momentarily  expected.  Its  position  was  now  as  important 
as  it  was  critical,  and  it  is  not  strange  that  the  order  that  placed  them 
there  directed  that  it  be  held  at  whatever  cost  until  relief  should  come. 

If  the  enemy  should  conclude  to  assume  the  offensive,  as  many  expected 
he  would,  his  main  point  of  attack  was  pretty  sure  to  be  at  or  near  that 
part  of  the  line  held  by  this  part  of  Whipple's  division.  And  the  reasons 
were  that  by  occupying  the  monument  terrace,  their  artillery  could  be 
most  easily  and  effectively  massed  against  it;  and,  if  broken  and  carried, 
it  offered  the  best  prospect  of  turning  the  Union  right,  and  gaining 
possession  of  the  two  upper  pontoon  bridges ;  thus  cutting  off  the  main 
line  of  retreat,  and  driving  the  whole  army  occupying  the  city,  panic 
stricken,  into  the  river. 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  there  should  be  another  effort  made  to  drive  the 
enemy  from  his  intrenchments,  as  greatly  feared  by  those  troops  whose 
turn  would  come  next,  the  Twelfth,  now  occupying  the  front  line,  had  no 
longer  any  reasonable  ground  for  hope  to  escape,  and  its  situation  was, 
therefore,  critical  as  well  as  responsible. 

But  as  the  day  wore  on  with  no  general  attack  from  either  side,  and 
but  little  skirmishing,  it  soon  became  evident  that  while  General  Burnside 
did  not  care  to  renew  the  costly  attempt  of  the  day  before,  General  Lee 
was  content,  as  well  he  might  be,  to  remain  on  the  defensive. 

Thus  watching  and  waiting,  listening  and  fearing,  with  more  of  anxiety 


46  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

than  devotion,  that  long  Sabbath  day  numbered  itself  on  the  countless 
record  of  the  past,  and  darkness  again  was  welcomed  to  lessen  the 
chances  of  wounding  and  death  on  the  field  of  deadly  conflict.  The  men 
having  slept  on  their  arms  one  night  and  stood  ready  to  grasp  and  use 
them  any  moment  through  most  of  the  day,  concluded  it  would  be  more 
home-like  to  sleep  on  feather  beds  and  mattresses,  than  the  cold  muddy 
streets  or  hard  brick  sidewalks  ;  and  so  they  brought  them  from  the 
houses,  together  with  blankets  and  quilts  that  had  not  been  so  thoroughly 
aired  for  a  long  time,  and  made  for  themselves  more  comfortable  beds  than 
ever  before  or  afterward  enjoyed  while  sojourning  in  the  land  of  Dixie. 
While  looking  for  something  soft  and  warm  for  a  bed  other  things  were 
found,  good  and  healthy  for  supper,  and  the  few  remaining  "hard-tack" 
were  greatly  improved  by  a  liberal  dip  or  spread  of  honey,  apple-butter, 
or  peach  preserves. 

Some,  wanting  something  substantial  to  go  with  the  palatable,  built  up 
fires  and  commenced  the  business,  so  generally  imitated  the  next  day,  of 
supplying  the  urgent  demands  of  the  stomach  with  a  fresh  bite  of  their 
own  cooking,  and  "flapjacks"  and  honey,  washed  down  with  "apple 
jack"  and  wine,  was  a  rich  and  rare  treat  to  many  of  the  fortunate  finders, 

About  midnight  a  sergeant  from  each  company  was  called  up  to  draw 
one  day's  rations  ;  but  before  they  could  be  brought  up  and  distributed 
there  was  a  sharp  and  sudden  discharge  of  musketry  on  the  picket  line, 
nearly  in  front,  which  was  almost  instantly  followed  by  the  loud  com 
mand  of  Colonel  Marsh  to  "fall  in";  and  startled  and  shivering  men 
from  warm  beds  and  pleasant  dreams,  were  soon  marching  to  support 
the  batteries  covering  that  part  of  the  field,  where  they  were  ordered  to 
lie  down  flat  on  their  faces  and  remain  silent.  The  night  was  cold  and  the 
ground  wet,  and  the  sudden  change  from  the  dry  and  warm  to  the  damp 
and  cold,  chilled  some  of  the  less  strong  and  robust  to  the  very  marrow  of 
their  bones ;  and  disease,  suffering,  and  death,  in  some  cases,  was  the 
sad  but  swift  result. 

Thus  is  it  true  that  evil  more  often  than  good  comes  to  us  in  disguise, 
and  many  a  present  blessing  proves  but  a  future  curse. 

And  for  the  benefit  of  some  of  the  tenderly  nurtured  and  delicately 
constitutioned  young  men  who  may  read  it,  the  somewhat  impertinent,  but 
perhaps  all  the  more  effective,  remark  is  here  made,  that  this  is  not  the 
only  instance  where  a  soft  feather  bed  has  been  an  easy  conveyance  to  an 
early  grave. 

Not  knowing  how  long  the  regiment  would  remain  where  it  was  or 
what  would  be  the  next  call,  the  rations  that  had  been  drawn  were 
carried  out  by  a  sergeant  and  two  men  from  each  company,  and  given  to 
the  men  as  they  lay  upon  the  ground. 

The  regiment  remained  in  this  position  until  it  was  light  enough  to  see 
any  advance  movement  of  the  enemy,  and  then  returned  to  the  place  it 
so  quickly  left  three  or  four  hours  before,  when  some  of  the  men  tried  to 
mend  their  broken  naps  before  roll-call. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  47 

The  i5th  was  another  day  of  "masterly  inactivity,"  both  armies 
remaining  in  statu  quo,  and  all  was  comparatively  quiet  along  the  shores 
of  the  Rappahannock. 

But  some  of  the  boys,  seeing  no  signs  of  an  immediate  renewal  of  hostili 
ties  and  getting  a  little  more  indulgence  from  their  officers,  than  the  day 
before,  in  the  way  of  leaving,  a  few  minutes  at  a  time,  the  line  of  their  gun- 
stacks,  were  naturally  inclined  to  investigate  a  little  further  into  the  style 
and  practice  of  southern  domiciles  and  domestics,  especially  the  culinary 
department  which  was  the  main  object  of  their  search. 

Not  much  in  the  edible  line  save  fruits,  preserves,  etc.,  was  found  ready 
for  the  table  ;  but  the  material  was  not  lacking,  and  "  corn  pone,"  biscuit, 
doughnuts,  and  fritters,  with  fried  ham  and  eggs,  pork  steak,  and 
chicken  stew,  were  among  the  many  dishes  on  the  bill  of  fare  at  some  of 
the  free  lunch  houses  in  the  city. 

It  was  a  rare  opportunity  for  hungry  soldiers,  and  was  so  well 
improved  that  the  waist-belts  of  many  of  the  self-invited  guests  to  the 
rich  feast  had  to  be  let  out  an  inch  or  two  to  give  full  play  to  the  respira 
tory  organs. 

There  was  also  the  sound  of  song  and  music  to  enliven  the  feast, 
although  in  many  cases  there  was  more  sound  than  symphony,  and 
"Yankee  Doodle,"  "  Old  John  Brown,"  "Red  White  and  Blue,"  "Rally 
Round  the  Flag,"  "When  Johnny  Goes  Marching  Home,"  and  many 
other  amusing  and  patriotic  songs  were  sung  with  violin  and  piano 
accompaniment ;  while  others  equally  as  fond  of  music,  but  less  able  to 
produce  it  at  their  fingers'  ends,  would  undertake  to  interpret  the  "  Devil's 
Dream"  by  the  spirit-prompted  taps  and  raps  of  the  toe  and  heel. 

Some  of  the  houses  were  filled  with  costly  furniture  and  rare  collec 
tions  of  nature  and  art  to  interest  and  adorn,  the  families  having  only 
time  to  gather  up  some  of  the  most  valuable  before  vacating. 

It  would  be  as  foolish  as  it  is  false  to  deny,  that  from  such  houses  as 
well  as  others,  many  a  bric-a-brac  specimen  was  taken  as  a  keepsake 
reminder  of  the  city  of  Fredericksburg,  and  that  some  of  these  may  be 
found,  safely  kept  in  northern  homes  to-day. 

That  articles  of  little  or  no  intrinsic  value  should  be  thus  appropriated, 
and  free  use  made  of  all  articles  of  food,  was  no  more  than,  under  the 
circumstances,  could  have  been  expected  ;  but  there  were  doubtless  many 
other  things  of  more  value  and  importance  taken  or  destroyed  for  which 
the  author  regrettingly  acknowledges  no  justification  or  excuse,  unless  it 
may  be  said  in  extenuation  of  the  wrong  that  the  wealthy  and  educated 
citizens  of  the  South  included  nearly  all  the  political  leaders  that  were 
looked  upon  by  the  northern  soldiers  as  the  treasonable  instigators  of  the 
terrible  war  that  had  been  forced  upon  the  country,  and  that  their 
property,  if  not  their  lives,  was  rightfully  beneath  the  hand  of  the  avenger. 
In  addition  to  this  was  the  fact,  patent  and  palpable,  that  to  carry  out 
their  own  purpose  of  destroying  the  Government  they  did  not  hesitate  to 


48  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

destroy  their  own  property,  as  they  had  already  done  to  a  great  extent 
throughout  the  city,  which  was  likely  to  be  swept  again  with  shot  and 
shell,  if  not  by  the  flames,  before  the  battle  was  over. 

As  it  was,  there  were  comparatively  few  houses  in  the  city  that  had 
not  been  struck  one  or  more  times  by  shot  from  the  Union  or  Confederate 
cannon  —  by  the  former  when  trained  upon  the  city  to  drive  out  the 
rebel  sharpshooters  on  the  nth,  and  by  the  latter  in  trying  to  kill  and 
demoralize  the  Federal  forces  after  they  had  taken  possession  of  the 
city. 

Some  had  been  torn  and  shattered  by  the  artillery,  until  little  more  or 
better  than  standing  wrecks  in  the  midst  of  waste  and  ruin.  Several  had 
been  set  on  fire,  and  but  for  the  timely  efforts  of  the  Federal  soldiers  the 
whole  city  would  quickly  have  been  reduced  to  ashes.  So,  rightly  con 
sidered,  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  had  quite  as  much  for  which  to  thank 
as  curse  the  Yankee  troops,  since  a  home  invaded  is  better  than  a  home 
destroyed. 

Just  before  dark,  while  the  men  were  preparing  for  another  sidewalk 
bivouac  and  speculating  upon  the  probability  of  passing  a  night  as 
undisturbed  as  the  day,  the  regiment  received  orders  to  move  ;  and  reluc 
tantly  exchanging  a  supper  of  buckwheat  fritters  for  the  stern  reality  and 
hard  experience  of  war,  marched  out  again  to  the  support  of  a  battery 
near  the  canal. 

Here  it  remained  until  about  9  o'clock,  when  a  startling  volley  of 
musketry,  a  little  to  the  left,  breaks  the  stillness  of  the  night,  and  imme 
diately  there  is  a  commotion  strange  and  unexpected  in  the  city.  For 
some  reason  not  easily  explained  —  unless  because  suddenly  awakened 
and  frightened  by  the  volley — the  dogs  commenced  to  bark  and  howl, 
filling  the  air  with  every  note  in  the  canine  gamut,  from  the  sharp,  shrill 
snap  of  the  stub-nosed  pug  to  the  deep-toned,  doleful  howl  of  the  relentless 
bloodhound,  until  it  seemed  that  every  dog  in  the  city,  as  well  as  many 
of  the  hogs  and  cows  that  joined  in  the  chorus,  had  determined  upon  a 
midnight  attack  in  the  rear. 

Concerning  this  loud  outbreak  of  the  brute  creation  Corporal  Musgrove 
wrote  as  follows  :  "  The  dogs  in  the  city  set  up  the  most  hideous  howling, 
the  cows  and  even  the  pigs  joining  in  the  chorus.  It  seemed  as  if  all 
the  hosts  of  hell  were  let  loose  in  the  city." 

Soon  after  this  uproar  of  dismal  and  mournful  sounds  had  subsided,  the 
battery  was  relieved,  and  the  regiment  moved  a  little  further  into  the  open 
field  and  took  position  between  Piatt's  and  Carroll's  brigades  near  the 
canal. 

Here  the  men  rolled  themselves  in  their  blankets  as  they  lay  upon  the 
ground,  the  wind  blowing  so  hard  that  it  was  difficult  to  keep  covered,  and 
some,  unable  longer  to  keep  watchful  eyes,  soon  fell  asleep, — 

"  Lulled  by  the  night  wind,  and  pillowed  on  the  ground." 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  49 

At  2.30  A.  M.,  Colonel  Potter  received  orders  to  occupy  the  ground 
between  the  reservoir  and  the  Kenmore  house,  and  to  establish  pickets 
from  that  house  to  unite  with  the  pickets  of  Carroll's  brigade.  For  this 
purpose  Companies  F  and  C  were  detached  to  hold  that  position,  while 
the  remainder  of  the  regiment  marched  back  into  the  city  and  formed  a 
line  on  Princess  Anne  street,  in  front  of  General  Whipple's  headquarters 
and  near  the  same  place  it  occupied  on  the  afternoon  of  Saturday. 

Colonel  Marsh  was  sent  out  to  establish  the  line  of  the  two  companies, 
and  by  his  orders  twelve  men  in  charge  of  Sergeant  Randolph,  of  Com 
pany  C,  were  advanced  and  deployed  as  a  vedette  line  about  fifty  paces  in 
front.  Scarcely  was  this  done  when  the  moon,  which  was  just  coming 
up,  as  if  unwilling  to  disclose  their  position  to  the  enemy,  covered  herself 
with  dark  clouds,  and  soon  the  rain  poured  down  in  torrents,  washing  the 
earth  from  under  the  men  as  they  lay  still  and  watchful  upon  their  faces 
on  the  hillside. 

The  situation  of  the  Federal  army  was  now  becoming  every  hour  more 
critical.  To  advance  was  impossible  ;  to  remain  where  it  was  much  longer, 
defied  fate  and  invited  ruin  ;  and  to  retreat  was  extremely  hazardous. 

It  is  no  longer  a  secret  that  General  Burnside,  upon  the  disastrous 
failure  of  the  I3th;  became  furiously  impetuous  and  determined  to  renew 
the  attack  the  next  day,  regardless  of  the  chances,  if  he  had  to  lead  the 
assault  himself.  And  it  is  said  that  General  Lee  at  a  council  of  war  on 
the  night  of  the  i5th,  was  advised  by  General  Jackson  to  "drive  the 
Yankees  into  the  river."  Lucky  indeed  for  the  Union  army  and  cause, 
that  the  one  did,  and  the  other  did  not  listen  to  his  advisers. 

At  5  o'clock  the  regiment  left  its  position  in  the  city  and  retreated  across 
the  river. 

But  Companies  F  and  C,  where  were  they?  Alas  !  they  had  been  left 
without  notice  or  warning  of  their  danger,  and  were  still  in  the  face  of 
the  enemy,  anxiously  intent  to  discover  any  movement  in  their  front,  while 
all  unconscious  of  the  movements,  more  important  to  them,  that  were 
silently  going  on  in  their  rear. 

But  though  left,  they  were  not  forgotten  by  Colonel  Marsh,  who  asked 
permission  of  General  Whipple  to  go  back  and  take  them  off,  but  was 
refused  for  fear  the  attempt  at  so  late  an  hour  would  hazard  the  safety  of 
all  the  troops  not  yet  across  the  river.  Later,  when  most  of  the  forces 
had  crossed  safely  over,  the  request  was  renewed,  but  was  again  refused, 
as  it  was  then  almost  daylight,  and  could  only  result,  as  was  feared,  in 
bringing  a  storm  of  iron  hail  upon  the  pontoon  bridges  and  the  regiments 
still  within  reach  of  the  enemy's  guns.  Beside,  the  colonel  was  told  by 
General  Whipple,  that  his  orders  were  strict  to  see  that  no  field  or  staff 
officer  of  his  command  was  left  to  be  captured  by  the  enemy,  as  the 
colonel  would  surely  be  if  he  made  the  attempt.  But  Colonel  Marsh  was 
not  the  man  to  let  possible  contingencies  deter  him  from  what  he  consid- 


50  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

ered  a  present  duty,  or  to  excuse  himself  therefrom  by  pleading  a  major- 
general's  approval  or  disapproval. 

His  resolution  was  fixed,  but  before  he  could  act  he  must  obey  the  direct 
command  of  his  superior  to  cross  the  river  with  his  regiment. 

No  sooner  were  his  horse's  feet  on  the  opposite  shore, —  to  gain  which  he 
was  so  impatient  as  to  order  an  army  blacksmith's  wagon  that  impeded  the 
regiment's  progress  to  be  thrown  into  the  river,  against  the  angry  protests 
of  the  driver,  who  threatened  to  report  him  to  General  Hooker,  —  than  he 
turned  his  head  toward  the  city,  and  waiting  only  long  enough  to  reply  to 
Colonel  Potter's  remonstrance,  "  I  posted  the  men  there,  and  I  shall  take 
them  off  or  be  taken  with  them,"  he  put  spurs  to  his  horse  and  dashed 
back  across  the  river,  ordering  the  men  who  had  already  commenced  to 
take  up  the  bridge  to  desist  until  he  could  bring  down  the  troops  that  had 
been  left. 

Riding  out  as  far  as  he  dared,  without  attracting  the  attention  of  the  rebel 
pickets,  for  it  was  now  daylight,  he  dismounted,  and  hitching  his  horse, 
hurried  forward  on  foot  until  near  enough  to  whisper  his  orders  to  Captain 
Langley,  of  Company  F,  to  notify  Lieutenant  Smith,  in  command  of  Com 
pany  C,  and  all  followed  him  as  quickly  and  quietly  as  possible  to  the  river. 
It  was  now  a  race  instead  of  a  march,  until  the  Rappahannock  was  once 
more  between  them  and  the  foe  from  whom  they  had  so  narrowly  escaped. 
But  in  the  unexpected  call  and  hurry  to  obey,  the  vedettes  had  been  for 
gotten,  and  but  for  sheer  good  luck  would  have  been  captured.  One  of 
the  men  as  he  lay  on  the  ground  thought  he  heard  some  movement  of  men 
behind  them,  and  reported  the  same  to  Sergeant  Randolph,  who  sent  back 
Corporal  Osgood  to  the  reserve  to  ascertain  and  report  the  cause.  Day 
light  was  already  dispelling  the  darkness,  and  it  took  the  corporal  but  a 
few  minutes  to  discover  that  their  reserve  had  left,  and  that  a  battery  near 
by  had  also  gone.  Sergeant  Randolph,  who  had  served  in  the  English 
army,  was  too  good  a  soldier  not  to  understand  the  full  meaning  of  this, 
and  lost  no  time  in  taking  his  squad,  "single  file,  trail  arms,  double- 
quick,"  to  the  river,  just  in  time  to  cross  before  the  bridge  was  taken  up, 
section  after  section  being  swung  into  the  stream  close  behind  them. 

The  eight  companies  that  first  crossed  had  marched  some  distance 
toward  their  old  camping-ground  before  Sergeant  Randolph  and  his  men 
had  left  their  posts  in  front  of  the  enemy.  And  when  they,  with  the  two 
companies  left  behind,  came  in,  led  by  their  valiant  rescuer,  cheer  after 
cheer  rent  the  air  for  Colonels  Potter  and  Marsh  —  for  the  former,  because 
it  was  believed  he  had  saved  the  regiment  from  useless  slaughter,  and  for 
the  latter,  because  it  was  already  known,  that  he  had  saved  two  companies 
from  certain  capture.  Sergeant  Randolph  also  came  in  for  his  share  of 
praise  for  his  good  judgment  and  prompt  action  in  saving  his  men  on  the 
extreme  outposts. 

This  was  the  first  manifestation  by  the  regiment  of  good  will  for  Colonel 
Potter.  Before  this,  for  want  of  mutual  appreciation,  there  had  been  but 


New  If  amps /lire   Volunteers.  ^i 

little  sympathy  between  him  and  his  men.  But  the  bond  of  heart- weld i no- 
union  then  formed  has  never  been  broken. 

After  five  days  of  severe  exposure,  and  at  this  time  of  general  good 
luck  and  good  feeling,  the  colonel  thought  it  a  proper  occasion  for  the 
commissary  to  roll  out  a  barrel  of  whiskey,  which  was  accordingly  done, 
and  dealt  out  to  the  men  by  the  gill ;  many  getting  a  double  portion  by 
drawing  the  rations  of  those  who  were  temperance  men  in  the  army  as 
well  as  out.  But  drenched  to  the  skin  as  they  were,  and  still  raining, 
perhaps  the  men  who  refused  their  rations  were  more  ultra  and  less 
reasonable  than  those  who  drank  them. 

Thus  ends  the  history  of  the  Twelfth  at  Fredericksburg. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

THE  MUD  MARCH  AND  WINTER  AT  FALMOUTH. 

Upon  returning  to  their  old  quarters  it  became  known  to  the  officers 
and  men,  for  the  hrst  time,  that  a  serious  joke  or  an  egregious  blunder 
had  been  played  or  made  by  someone  in  their  absence,  as  the  bitter  com 
plaints  of  the  sick  who  had  been  left  behind  as  camp  guard,  fully  attested. 

It  seems  that  on  the  second  day  after  the  regiment  had  left,  an  officer 
rode  into  camp,  and  told  them  that  the  orders  were,  that  every  man  who 
could  possibly  walk  and  carry  a  gun  should  report  to  his  regiment  at 
Fredericksburg  at  once. 

This,  as  can  easily  be  imagined,  created  quite  a  commotion  among  the 
invalid  home-guard,  some  of  whom  were  doubtless  stouter  in  body  than 
at  heart;  and  most  of  those  who  could,  packed  up  and  started,  not,  how 
ever,  without  many  vehement  protests  and  not  a  little  grumbling  from  those 
who,  being  the  best  able  to  go,  had  the  least  reason  to  complain. 

After  marching  as  fast  as  they  could  —  half  of  them  nearly  falling  out 
by  the  way  —  the  few  that  reached  the  river  opposite  Fredericksburg 
were  a  sick  and  sickly  looking  squad  indeed. 

No  sooner  were  their  presence  and  condition  made  known,  than  they 
were  ordered  back  to  their  camp  quarters  again. 

There  was  much  indignation  felt  and  expressed  by  the  officers,  and 
especially  Dr.  Fowler,  at  so  cruel  and  unwarrantable  an  order ;  but  no 
one  seemed  to  know  who  authorized  or  who  brought  it.  It  not  only 
unnecessarily  harassed  and  exposed  the  sick,  but  left  the  camp  and  all 
there  was  left  therein  almost  entirely  unprotected.  A  court  of  inquiry 
was  talked  about  among  the  officers,  but  nothing  was  ever  done  about  it. 

General  Burnside  had  tried  and  failed,  but  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
though  sadly  diminished  in  numbers  and  wanting  in  esprit  de  corps,  was 
still  intact  and  strong  enough  to  oppose  any  aggressive  movement  of  the 
enemy. 

The  great  question  now  asked  in  and  out  of  the  armies,  both  North 
and  South,  and  that  which  especially  troubled  the  minds  of  our  chief 
directors  at  Washington  was,  "What  next?" 

The  loyal  North,  still  trustful  of  its  ever  true  and  loval  armv  upon  which 
the  Government  now  solely  depended  for  a  name  and  place  among  the 
nations  of  the  earth,  readily,  though  almost  tremblingly,  responded, 
"  Try  again''' ;  and  the  brave  and  unconquerable  heroes  of  that  army, 


Neiv  Hampshire    Volunteers.  53 

whose  names  should  be  as  imperishable  as  their  deeds,  answered  back, 
"  We  are  ready,  but  give  us  a  leader." 

But  those  belonging  to  the  anti-war  faction  of  the  loyal  States,  who 
loved  peace  so  well  as  to  be  willing  to  accept  it  at  the  price  of  their 
country's  dishonor  and  ruin,  said  the  next  thing  to  come  would  be  what 
they  had  confidently  predicted  from  the  first,  "Foreign  intervention  and 
a  recognition  of  the  Southern  Confederacy";  that  the  "abolition  war" 
must  soon  stop,  or  blood  would  surely  flow  in  the  streets  of  our  northern 
cities. 

To  all  this  the  great  Head  of  the  Nation,  and  commander-in-chief  of  its 
armies  and  navy,  patiently  listened,  determined  not  to  act,  even  in  the 
direction  of  the  popular  demand,  without  the  most  careful  and  thorough 
investigation  as  to  who  was  responsible  for  the  uncompensated  loss  of  life 
at  Fredericksburg. 

From  this  to  the  end  of  the  year  nothing  of  importance  occurred  in  the 
army  or  of  interest  to  the  regiment,  except  a  visit  of  Hon.  John  P.  Hale 
who  was  gladly  received  in  the  camps  of  all  the  New  Hampshire  regi 
ments,  and  honored  by  reviews  of  most,  or  all  of  the  division  commands 
in  which  these  regiments  were  found. 

One  could  not  help  thinking  of  the  time  when  he  stood  alone  in  the 
national  senate  chamber  in  his  valiant  fight  for  "free  men  and  free  soil," 
nor  wondering  at  the  mighty  change  in  the  public  mind  that  a  few  short 
years  had  wrought. 

Then,  not  only  the  Senate,  but  the  House  of  Representatives,  the  execu 
tive  patronage  and  power,  the  Supreme  Court,  and,  greater  than  all,  — 
and  therefore  here  emphasized  and  personified,  —  public  opinion  were 
strongly  and  unitedly  against  him  ;  now,  all  the  other  way,  and  the  posi 
tion  that  he  then  manfully  took  and  bravely  maintained  single  handed 
and  alone,  regardless  of  threats,  obloquy,  and  ridicule,  had  not  onlv  the 
approval  of  every  branch  of  the  Government  but  was  being  defended  by 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  million  men  in  the  field. 

January  i,  1863,  those  present  for  duty  in  the  regiment  appeared  on 
dress-parade  in  dark  blue  dress  coats,  worn  for  the  first  time,  and  sky 
blue  pants  drawn  from  the  quartermaster  but  a  few  days  before. 

They  looked  very  much  in  color,  though  sadly  wanting  in  number,  as 
when  they  first  donned  their  uniforms  at  Camp  Belknap. 

Colonel  Marsh  after  the  parade  exercises  made  a  short  speech  to  the 
men,  alluding  to  their  fine  appearance  in  their  new  clothes  and  good 
deportment,  and  ended  by  wishing  them  all  a  happy  New  Tear.  The 
chaplain  then  offered  up  a  fervent  prayer  for  their  lives,  their  homes,  and 
their  country. 

Thus  pleasantly,  if  not  auspiciously,  commenced  the  new  year  that 
before  its  end  was  to  bring  so  much  suffering  and  sorrow  to  many  brave 
hearts  and  loyal  homes. 

From  this  until  the  2oth  the  weather  was  quite  warm  and  pleasant,  and 


54  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

General  Burnside,  determined  to  retrieve  himself  if  possible,  was  making 
the  days  and  hours  busy  with  drills,  inspections,  and  reviews,  prepara 
tory  to  another  advance,  which,  as  if  the  very  fates  were  against  him, 
was  destined  to  be  equally  as  ineffectual,  though  not  as  disastrous  as  the 
other. 

On  the  i6th  came  marching  orders. 

The  regiment  was  to  move  "to-morrow  at  daylight  with  three  days' 
rations  and  sixty  rounds  of  cartridges."  The  lyth  this  order  was 
countermanded,  and  another  given  to  march  at  10  o'clock  the  next  day. 

This  order  was  also  countermanded  before  the  hour  of  its  execution, 
but  later  in  the  day  came  new  orders,  positive  and  emphatic,  to  march  at 
the  hour  of  2  p.  M. 

'•No  more  fooling  now,"  said  the  boys,  "for  you  can  always  safely 
bet  on  the  third  time,  even  from  'Old  Burned-Side.'"  But  new  rulers 
break  old  rules,  and  so  the  old  "third  time"  rule  was  broken  that  same 
day  bv  another  countermand! 

At  last  on  the  2oth,  after  three  or  four  days  of  strange  delay  in  drill 
ing  his  army  to  get  ready  before  it  started,  General  Burnside  gave 
the  fourth  and  final  order  to  march,  which  this  time  was  allowed  to 
stand,  so  far  at  least  as  the  Twelfth  Regiment  was  concerned,  until  it  had 
marched  about  half  a  mile,  when  a  halt  was  called  and  continued 
through  the  whole  afternoon  and  evening,  and  then  —  it  marched  back  to 
camp  again.  If  the  reader  could  use  his  ears  instead  of  his  eyes  and 
listen  to  what  was  then  said  by  the  soldiers  he  would  soon  learn  the  rank 
and  rile  dialect  of  "the  army  in  Flanders,"  and  wonder  how  the  Govern 
ment  could  be  so  indifferent  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  army,  as  to 
allow  but  one  chaplain  to  a  regiment.  He  would  also,  if  not  too  piously 
inclined,  be  greatly  amused  at  the  wit  and  sarcasm  that  the  quick- 
tongued  talkers  would  manage  to  sprinkle  in  between  their  impious 
expletives. 

"  Well,  Bill,  what  in does  this  mean?" 

"  Mean?  it's  mean  enough,  God  knows,  in  one  sense,  but  it's  too  

simple  to  mean  anything  like  common  sense." 

"  I  can  tell  you  what  it  means,  Dick  ;  it  means  that  '  Old  Burned-Side' 
forgot  to  countermand  his  last  order  to  march,  this  morning.  I  was  afraid 

he  was  making  a  fool  of  himself,  by  starting  before  he  got  ready, 

all  the  time." 

"  He's  waiting  now  for  his  pontoons,  I  guess,"  chimed  in  the  fourth, 
minus  the  oath. 

"  I  should  think  from  the  present  outlook  (already  raining)  he'd  better 
order  mud-scows,"  replies  the  fifth,  with  more  of  prophecy  than  was  then 
suspected. 

"  Oh,  say,  boys  !  can  you  tell  me  why  this  army  is  like  a  young  frog?" 

This  conundrum  comes  from  a  new  speaker,  who  had  evidently  been 
thinking  while  the  rest  were  talking,  for  all  things  original  are  born  of 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  55 

thought,  and  is  followed  by  several  answers  from  as  many  comrades  : 
"  Because  it  is  always  out  when  it  rains."  "  Because  it  is  always  found  in 
a  mud-puddle." 

"  We'll  give  it  up,  Artemus  ;  why  is  it?  " 

"  Because  it's  got  a little  head  for  so  long  a  tail." 

"  Pretty  good,  my  boy  ;  hit  him  again." 

And  then  there  is  a  general  laugh,  followed  by  continued  banter  and 
debate,  until  the  sweet-briars  and  laurel-roots  are  all  emptied,  and 
there  comes  the  usual  "tip-tap"  reminder  that  silence  and  sleep  is  the 
order  of  the  hour. 

There  was  also  much  discussion  among  the  men  whether  there  would 
be  another  start,  or  attempt  to  start,  on  the  morrow.  And  upon  this  ques 
tion  there  was  about  an  equal  division,  many  reasons  being  given  pro 
and  con. 

But  at  noon  the  next  day,  when  it  was  quite  unanimously  agreed  that 
there  would  be  no  further  attempt  to  move  for  two  or  three  days  at  least, 
the  rain  having  poured  dowrn  incessantly  since  the  evening  before,  orders 
were  again  issued  to  march. 

Amid  a  storm  of  curses,  from  officers  and  men,  they  reluctantly  make 
ready  again  to  meet  the  more  pitiless  storm  of  the  elements  raging 
outside. 

After  three  or  four  miles  of  wearisome  mud-punching,  there  is  a  spread 
of  shelter-tents  in  the  woods,  beneath  which  seventy  thousand  men  seek 
scanty  protection  from  the  cold,  sleet,  and  rain  of  such  a  night  as  can  only 
be  fully  realized  by  those  who  experienced  it. 

The  next  day  comes  and  goes,  but  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  moves  not, 
for  it  is  stuck  fast  in  the  mud.  Never  perhaps  was  a  great  army  in  a  more 
helpless  condition  ;  and  had  not  the  same  cause  that  made  it  so  also  pre 
vented  the  enemy  from  moving,  it  could  have  been  destroyed  or  captured 
like  a  fly  in  a  spider's  web. 

The  pontoon  wagons,  and  the  artillery  that  was  to  support  the  building 
of  the  bridges  and  passage  of  the  troops,  had  nearly  reached  the  river 
and  were  in  plain  sight  of  the  rebel  pickets,  who  jeered  and  joked  with 
the  advance  of  the  unfortunate  and  dispirited  army. 

They  would  shout  and  laugh,  and  derisively  ask  :  "  Where  did  you 
start  for  this  time,  Yanks?"  "  Don't  you  want  us  to  come  over  and  help 
you  pull  your  pontoons  and  guns  out  of  the  mud?" 

The  army  having  stopped,  the  rain  stopped  at  last  itself;  and  on  the 
afternoon  of  the  23d  the  welcome  sun  made  its  appearance  and  lighted  up 
a  scene  more  easily  imagined  than  described. 

The  ground,  with  its  clay  subsoil,  was  little  better  than  a  mire  bed  for 
man  or  beast.  But  while  the  former  could  manage  most  of  the  time  to 
keep  head  and  body  above  the  surface,  the  latter,  many  of  them  attached 
to  artillery  or  pontoon  wagons,  were  literally  buried  up  in  the  mud. 

Here  and  there  a  pair  of  mule's  ears  might  be  seen  sticking  up,  which 


56  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

served  to  indicate  their  condition  as  well  as  locate  their  position.  Eight 
or  ten  pairs  of  these  animals  might  be  seen  hitched  to  one  army  wagon, 
the  result  of  which  would  be  to  draw  some  of  the  hind  mules  in  more 
than  the  wagon  was  drawn  out.  While  the  artillery  horses,  with  double- 
hitch  to  each  piece,  would  struggle  and  flounder  along  until  they  could 
hardly  be  extricated,  after  being  detached  from  their  loads.  Many  of  the 
heavier  guns  had  to  be  abandoned  and  left  as  they  were,  resting  in  the 
mud,  with  wheels  buried  beneath  them,  until  they  were  dug  out  with  picks 
and  spades  after  the  ground  had  dried  sufficiently  to  haul  them  back  to 
camp. 

After  one  or  two  days'  work  building  corduroy  roads,  in  which  the 
Twelfth  bore  a  part,  and  a  much  needed  reinforcement  of  a  barrel  of 
"  Commissary,"  the  army,  all  that  had  the  strength  to  do  so,  returned  to 
its  old  quarters. 

And  here,  after  four  or  five  days  spent  in  marching  and  countermarch 
ing  as  many  miles,  was  the  end  of  what  will  be  known  in  history  as 
Burnside's  "  mud  march." 

Although  as  humiliating  as  it  was  aggravating,  bringing  upon  him  the 
ridicule  of  both  armies,  it  was  probably  well  for  the  Union  commander, 
and  the  cause  for  which  he  so  long  and  ardently  labored,  and  to  which  no 
heart  was  truer,  though  he  sometimes  doubtless  erred,  that  the  elements 
seemed  to  conspire  against  him.  For  another  attack  upon  the  enemy, 
with  many  of  his  generals  opposed  to  him  and  his  plans,  and  a  growing 
want  of  confidence  among  the  soldiers,  must  have  resulted  in  another 
defeat,  more  disastrous  perhaps  than  that  of  Fredericksburg. 

On  the  25th  of  January,  by  order  of  the  President,  General  Burnside 
was  relieved  of  his  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  Gen. 
Joseph  Hooker  appointed  in  his  place  ;  and  the  day  following  the  latter 
assumed  command,  and  issued  an  order  announcing  the  welcome  news  to 
the  disheartened  thousands  of  the  army,  who  listened  and  heard  with 
joyful  approval. 

At  this  time  the  morale  of  the  army  was  at  ebb  tide,  and  lower  than 
ever  before  or  afterward. 

Everything  was  bad  and  rapidly  growing  worse,  from  Headquarters  to 
the  private  on  his  "  beat."  The  slaughter  at  Fredericksburg,  followed 
by  the  "  mud  march,"  had  so  demoralized  the  soldiers  that  they  had  lost 
all  confidence  in  their  leader,  if  not  in  themselves  ;  and  an  army  without 
a  respected  head  is  but  little  better  than  a  mob. 

Nothing  seemed  to  be  looked  after  as  it  should  have  been,  but  every 
thing  was  left  to  care  for  itself  and  drift  undirected,  except  as  here  and 
there,  generals  of  divisions  and  brigades  would  try  to  bring  order  out  of 
chaos  in  their  respective  commands. 

But  worse  than  all  was  the  miserable  and  shameful  condition  of  the 
medical  and  sanitary  department  of  the  army. 

Thousands  died  in  the  hospitals  —  many  in  their  quarters  where  they 


JVezv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  57 

were  allowed  to  remain,  with  only  such  aid  and  attention  as  their  com 
rades  could  give,  until  death  released  them  —  in  want  of  proper  care  and 
necessary  food  and  medicines,  for  the  lack  of  which  there  was  no  reason 
or  excuse  whatever. 

Such  a  condition  of  things  could  not,  of  course,  last  long,  and  have  any 
army  left.  Already  had  the  work  of  disintegration  commenced,  and  was 
making  rapid  progress,  as  well  from  active  but  dishonorable,  as  from 
passive  and  honorable  means  of  diminution. 

Desertions,  encouraged  and  aided  by  letters  and  citizens'  clothing  from 
relatives  or  acquaintances  at  home,  were  becoming  every  day  more 
numerous — as  many  as  three  hundred,  as  stated  upon  good  authority, 
being  marked  "  absent  without  leave  "  in  a  single  day. 

At  the  same  time,  as  already  referred  to,  the  list  of  mortality,  considering 
the  season  and  locality,  was  almost  startling  to  contemplate. 

One  morning,  seven  of  the  Twelfth  lay  dead  outside  of  the  regimental 
hospital,  and  another  died  therein  an  hour  or  two  later,  before  the  others 
were  buried,  making  eight,  or  almost  one  for  every  hour,  that  had  been 
"mustered  out"  during  the  night,  and  whose  cold  and  motionless  forms 
awaited  the  parting  salute  by  their  sad  and  sorrowing  comrades  who  had 
reason  to  be  thankful  that  they  were  still  among  the  living,  and  with 
strength  enough  left  to  bury  their  own  dead. 

Because  so  many  who  had  started  home  on  furloughs  decided  not  to 
stop  until  they  got  to  Canada  the  granting  of  furloughs  was  cut  off 
entirely,  so  that  no  matter  how  urgent  the  necessity  it  was  useless  to 
apply  for  one. 

Yet  the  deserter,  when  apprehended,  was  punished  as  for  some  minor 
offence,  or  not  at  all ;  and  thus  was  sorrowfully  exemplified  the  truth  of 
the  saying  that  "mercy  to  the  guilty  is  injustice  to  the  innocent." 

Had  the  first  soldier  who,  without  palliation  or  excuse,  deserted  the 
flag  of  his  country,  been  shot,  as  he  ought  to  have  been,  and  all  others 
who  dared  to  follow  his  example  been  served  in  the  same  way,  how  great 
would  have  been  the  beneficial  effect  upon  the  army,  and  how  many 
noble  and  useful  lives  might  have  been  saved. 

If  the  reader  could  but  realize  what  the  sick  and  suffering  soldier  then 
so  keenly  felt,  and  not  only  the  sick  but  others  who  knew  that  those, 
dearer  to  them  than  their  own  lives,  were  lying  on  beds  of  languishing 
and  death  without  being  allowed  the  privilege  of  administering  to  their 
comfort  or  of  ever  receiving  their  last  farewell,  then  would  this  page  be 
wet  with  many  a  tear. 

Some  died  in  camp  or  hospital  of  little  or  nothing  more  than  home 
sickness.  Yet  let  no  one  accuse  them  of  want  of  courage,  for  had 
they  lived  they  might  have  shown  no  want  of  it  on  the  field  of  battle. 

"  Hope  deferred  makes  the  heart  sick,"  but  hope  abandoned  is  an  open 
grave. 

And  when,  after  long  waiting  the  chance  to  return  for  a  few  days  to 


58  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

the  dearest  spot  on  earth  to  them,  there  came,  instead  of  the  leave  of 
absence  so  ardently  desired  and  so  anxiously  looked  for,  an  order  that  no 
more  furloughs  would  be  granted,  it  froze  up  the  blood  valves  of  the 
heart ;  and  the  often  heard  roll  of  the  muffled  drum  told  how  many  were 
being  thus  needlessly  sacrificed. 

Some,  stung  to  madness  at  the  thought  of  home  and  the  sick  and  dying 
loved  ones  there,  heedless  of  every  risk  and  consequence,  answered  not 
at  the  morning  roll-call  because  already  on  their  way  without  leave  to 
that  home  in  obedience,  as  they  felt,  to  a  Higher  Power. 

For  those  who  performed  their  mission  of  love  and  affection  and 
immediately  returned,  it  was  well ;  but  others  who  had  not  the  moral 
courage  to  return  and  abide  the  result  were  obliged  to  keep  hidden  and 
disguised  or  go  out  of  the  country  until  allowed  to  return,  as  most  of 
them  did  under  President  Lincoln's  proclamation  of  pardon  for  all 
deserters  who  would  return  to  their  commands  within  a  certain  time. 

But  those  dark  and  never-to-be-forgotten  days  of  the  Government  and 
army  passed  slowly  and  sadly  away,  and  soon  after  General  Hooker 
became  commander-in-chief  hope  revived,  confidence  was  restored,  and 
the  long  cold 

—  "Winter  of  our  discontent 
Made  glorious  summer  by  this  son  of  York." 

From  the  commissary  came  less  whiskey  for  the  officers,  and  better 
rations,  including  vegetables,  for  the  men.  Hospitals  were  renovated, 
new  ones  built,  drunken  surgeons  discharged,  sanitary  supplies  furnished, 
and  the  sick  no  longer  left  to  suffer  and  die  without  proper  care  and 
attention. 

Officers  and  men  who  from  incompetence  or  disability  could  be  of  no 
further  use  to  the  service,  were  allowed  to  resign  or  were  discharged, 
and  those  who  were  playing  sick  in  hospitals  were  sent  to  their  regiments 
for  duty.  A  limited  number  of  furloughs  were  also  granted  to  the  sick 
and  deserving. 

In  a  word,  a  new  order  of  things  was  established,  and  new  life  infused 
into  every  department  of  the  army.  The  cavalry,  hitherto  only  such  in 
name,  was  reorganized,  and  made  one  of  the  most  effective  arms  of  the 
service. 

With  a  commander  thus  prompt  and  efficient,  it  is  not  strange  that  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  quickly  had  a  potential  existence  once  more,  and 
was  soon  ready  for  the  field  again. 

During  the  interim  between  the  "mud  march"  and  active  field  opera 
tions  under  General  Hooker,  a  period  of  little  more  than  three  months, 
but  little  of  importance  to  the  Twelfth  occurred,  and  its  history  for  that 
time  will  be  correspondingly  brief. 

Every  two  weeks  the  regiment  went  out  from  three  to  five  miles  on 
picket,  remaining  out  as  many  days. 


Ncu<  Hampshire   Volunteers.  59 

The  varied  and  sometimes  severe  experiences  of  picket  duty  on  the 
Rappahannock  during  the  winter  of  1862-3  would  fill  a  small  volume  of 
interesting  reading  by  itself ;  but  anything  like  a  full  history  of  the 
experiences  of  any  one  regiment  would  necessarily  demand  too  large  a 
share  of  the  total  quantity  to  allow  the  author  to  attempt  it  here.  One  or 
two  incidents,  however,  will  be  written  hereafter. 

When  winter  quarters  were  first  established  at  Falmouth  there  seemed 
no  lack  of  the  necessary  material  to  build  and  warm  them,  for  it  was  in 
the  midst  of  a  vast  forest  of  cedar  and  pine.  But  before  spring  the  men 
wished  they  had  been  more  sparing  at  first,  being  obliged  to  "tote"  their 
wood  a  long  way,  or  cut  up  the  stumps  and  roots  —  some  of  the  ground 
was  cut  over  two  or  three  times  —  that  were  left  nearer  camp. 

In  February,  at  date  given,  General  Whipple,  commanding  the  divis 
ion,  issued  the  following  order  : 

HD.  QRS.  30  Div.  30  A.  C. 
CAMP  NEAR  FALMOUTH,  Va.,   Feb.  19,  1863. 
General  Orders,  No.  17  : 

The  following  organization  of  Brigades  is  hereby  announced,  to  continue  in 
force  until  further  orders  : 

ist  Brigade. 
86    Regt.  N.  Y.  Vols. 
122     "        Penn.       " 
124    "       N.  Y.      " 
84       "        Penn.       " 

2d  Brigade. 

ist    Regt.  U.  S.  Sharpshooters. 
_'d        ••        ••     ••  " 

no     "        Penn.          Vols. 
12        "       N.  H.  " 

The  ranking  officers  in  each  brigade  will  assume  command  thereof. 

By  Com'd  of 

BRIG.   GEN.   WHIPPLE. 
(Signed)    HENRY  R.  DALTON,  A.  A.  G. 

Before  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  the  division  was  reorganized  — 
the  two  battalions  of  United  States  Sharpshooters  forming  a  third  brigade, 
and  the  Eighty-fourth  Pennsylvania  Regiment  being  changed  from  the 
First  to  the  Second  Brigade. 

The  Twelfth  until  now  had  never  been  regularly  brigaded,  but  had 
continued  to  be  an  independent  command — a  brigade  by  itself — and 
subject  to  no  orders  from  any  single-starred  general  unless  acting  as 
major-general  commanding  the  division,  as  General  Whipple  —  an  old 
regular  army  officer  and  friend  of  Colonel  Potter  —  was  at  this  time. 

Because  of  this  fortunate  fact  being  taken  advantage  of  by  Colonel 
Potter,  the  regiment  was  probably  saved  from  useless  sacrifice  at  Freder- 
icksburg. 


60  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

One  of  the  brigade  commanders  who  had  been  ordered  to  assault  the 
enemy's  works  requested,  more  as  a  command  than  an  invitation,  that 
Colonel  Potter  join  him  with  his  '•  New  Hampshire  Mountaineers." 

The  colonel,  looking  sternly  through  his  glasses,  replied  :  "  I  take  my 
orders  from  General  Whipple,  sir ;  and  I  don't  propose  to  needlessly 
sacrifice  my  men  while  I  have  the  power  to  avoid  it." 

This  sensible  reply,  indicative  of  the  true  soldier,  was  overheard  by 
some  of  his  men,  and  by  repetition  from  one  to  another,  it  soon  came  to  be 
understood  and  believed  that  Colonel  Potter  had  actually  been  ordered 
forward  by  proper  authority  and  refused  to  go.  And  there  are  some  who 
believe  it  even  to  this  day. 

The.  tide  having  turned  in  the  colonel's  favor,  as  referred  to  in  the 
preceding  chapter,  it  rose  higher  and  higher  until  the  little  brooklet 
became  a  river,  and  lip  praise  around  the  camp  changed,  as  will  be  seen, 
into  something  more  tangible  and  lasting. 

But  the  men  and  officers  having  learned  to  like  Colonel  Potter,  be 
gun  to  question  among  themselves  whether  they  had  not  done  great 
injustice  to  Governor  Berry  by  their  manifestations  of  ill  feeling  and 
disrespect,  for  appointing  him  ;  and  as  serious  reflection  is  the  first  step 
toward  sincere  repentance,  the  result  was  that  a  very  respectful  letter, 
signed  by  all  the  line  officers,  was  sent  to  the  Governor,  "  earnestly  and 
cordially"  inviting  him  to  visit  the  regiment  at  his  "earliest  possible 
convenience." 

In  reply  to  this  letter  was  received  the  following  noble  and  patriotic 
response : 

CONCORD,  March  20,  1863. 
To  the  Line  and  Staff  Officers  of  the  I2th  Regt.  N.  H.    Volunteers  : 

GENTLEMEN, — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  very 
interesting  communication  of  the  izth  inst.  with  the  gratifying  invitation  to  visit 
your  Regt. 

I  can  assure  you  that  were  it  in  my  power  consistently  to  comply  with  that 
invitation  it  would  give  me  great  pleasure ;  and  if  I  can  arrange  my  business  to 
enable  me  to  do  so,  I  will  visit  you  at  the  earliest  possible  opportunity.  In  view 
of  all  the  circumstances  connected  with  the  raising  and  organizing  of  your  Regi 
ment,  your  hardships,  sufferings,  and  privations  since  you  left  your  homes,  with 
all  their  associations,  and  your  native  State,  in  all  of  which  I  have  been  anxiously 
interested  and  have  deeply  sympathized  with  you  in  all  your  movements  and  his 
tory,  all  which  strengthen  my  anxiety  to  meet  you. 

I  have  mourned  the  loss  of  those  noble  men  who  have  fallen  from  your  ranks 
by  death,  as  if  they  were  "  bone  of  my  bone  and  flesh  of  my  flesh." 

Their  lives  have  been  offered  a  sacrifice  on  the  altar  of  their  country,  for  the 
rights  and  liberties  of  men.  History  will  record  their  names,  and  their  sacrifices 
are  never  to  be  forgotten.  You,  gentlemen,  with  the  men  of  your  noble  regi 
ment,  and  the  many  thousands  engaged  with  you,  are  bravely  trying  to  put  down 
the  most  wicked  and  powerful  rebellion  ever  known  in  the  history  of  the  world ; 
and  that  to  destroy  the  best  government  ever  instituted  by  any  nation  on  earth. 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  61 

I  am  aware  that  in  the  performance  of  your  duties,  as  privates  and  soldiers,  you 
must  suffer  the  hardships  of  the  camp  and  breast  the  perils  of  the  battlefield. 
But  be  of  good  cheer,  "endure  hardness  as  good  soldiers,"  and  I  have  no  doubt 
that  victory  ere  long  will  crown  your  efforts ;  our  nation  will  be  redeemed ;  the 
rebellion  will  be  crushed ;  and  union,  peace,  and  prosperity  again  bless  our  now 
distracted  and  bleeding  country. 

You  are  now  writing  history  for  generations  yet  unborn,  who  will  rise  up  to 
call  you  blessed. 

A  united  North,  with  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war,  would  very  soon  end 
the  strife.  But  a  divided  North  with  rebel  sympathizers  in  our  midst  will  protract 
the  struggle  and  add  to  the  sacrifice  of  life.  But  I  most  devotedly  believe  a 
glorious  future  awaits  the  end  of  the  war,  and  eternal  disgrace  and  infamy  awaits 
those  dastardly  rebel  sympathizers  and  deserters  of  their  country's  flag  in  this  her 
hour  of  peril  and  need. 

Could  the  sun  of  my  life  go  back  twenty-five  years,  I  would  be  in  your  ranks  to 
aid  you  in  the  great  struggle.  But  the  sands  of  my  life  are  too  far  run  to  aid  you 
with  my  physical  energy.  My  heart  and  sympathy  are  with  you  ;  and  my  con 
stant  prayer  to  Almighty  God  is  for  your  health  and  prosperity  and  salvation 
through  the  war,  and  your  eternal  salvation  in  that  better  land  where  war  is  known 
no  more. 

With  my  kind  regards  for  all  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  your  regiment,  I  am, 

gentlemen,  with  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

N.  S.   BERRY. 

To  Capt.  Thomas  E.  Barker  and  other  officers  of  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire 
Volunteers,  at  Camp  Falmouth,  Va. 

Eight  days  later,  Governor  Berry  was  a  welcome  guest  in  the  camp  of 
the  Twelfth  ;  and  his  reception  must  have  been  in  pleasing  contrast  to 
those  given  him  at  Concord  and  Jersey  City  a  few  months  before. 

Lieutenant  Durgin,  whose  tongue  was  always  as  ready  and  as  keen 
as  his  sword,  welcomed  him  with  a  short  speech,  quickly  seconded  by 
three  hearty  cheers  by  the  men,  who  were  now  as  ready  to  grasp  the 
Governor's  hand,  as  most  of  them  did,  as  they  once  were  to  curse  him,  as 
many  of  them  had. 

During  his  visit  he  was  invited  by  General  Whipple  to  a  review  of  his 
division,  and  the  regiment  appearing  on  that  occasion  in  new  hats  and 
pants  and  white  leggins,  made  a  splendid  appearance  and  were  highly 
complimented  by  Generals  Whipple  and  Bowman  ;  the  latter  remarking 
that  it  was  the  finest  looking  regiment  he  ever  saw.  After  the  review 
was  over,  both  of  these  generals  and  many  of  their  staff  officers,  visited 
the  camp  of  the  Twelfth,  and  General  Bowman  delivered  a  very  finely 
written  address,  eulogistic  of  the  regiment,  the  State  of  New  Hampshire 
and  its  honored  and  patriotic  Governor,  to  which  Governor  Berry  responded 
for  the  State,  and  Lieutenant  Durgin  for  the  regiment. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  General  Bowman's  address  was  not  procured 
and  kept  for  the  use  that  might  now  be  made  of  it  in  this  connection. 


62  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

But  the  visit  of  the  venerable  War  Governor  of  the  Granite  State  —  who 
is  still  living,  though  nearly  five  score  years  of  age,  in  comparative!}' 
good  health  and  strength  of  body  and  mind  —  was  but  the  precursor  of 
another  visit  to  the  army,  a  few  days  later,  of  one  as  warmly  welcomed 
by  General  Hooker  and  the  whole  army,  as  he  had  been  by  Colonel 
Potter  and  the  regiment  —  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 

April  6th  there  was,  about  a  mile  from  camp,  a  grand  review  by  the 
President,  of  all  the  cavalry.  There  were  from  fifteen  to  twenty  thousand 
horsemen  and  six  or  seven  batteries,  and  the  tramp  of  the  horses  through 
the  mud  sounded  something  like  the  sound  of  a  distant  waterfall.  It  was 
a  splendid  sight  to  see  ;  but  most  noticeable  of  all  was  the  tall  form  of  the 
commander-in-chief  of  the  army  riding  on  the  right  of  General  Hooker, 
with  little  "  Tad"  by  his  side. 

The  day  following,  the  President,  with  General  Hooker  and  a  company 
of  lancers  for  a  body  guard,  rode  through  the  different  encampments. 
As  he  passed  through  the  parade-ground  of  the  Twelfth,  already  formed 
in  line  to  receive  him,  it  presented  arms,  and  the  salute  was  acknowledged 
and  returned  by  the  raising  of  his  hat  and  a  bow,  while  a  half  smile 
lighted  up  his  sad  and  care-worn  countenance. 

In  a  complimentary  order  issued  by  General  Hooker  to  the  army  by 
direction  of  the  President,  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire,  the  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-fourth  New  York,  and  the  United  States  Sharpshooters  were 
mentioned  as  "  deserving  special  praise  for  the  clean  and  orderly  condi 
tion  of  their  camps,  and  the  soldierly  appearance  and  conduct  of  the 
men.'r 

On  the  third  day  of  his  visit  there  was  a  grand  review  of  the  whole 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  excepting  the  cavalry,  lasting  nearly  all  day.  It 
took  place  on  a  large  plain  in  sight  of  Fredericksburg,  and  was  said  to  have 
caused  quite  an  excitement  in  that  city.  Although  each  battalion  marched 
in  close  order  by  division,  at  half  distance,  it  was  more  than  three  hours 
before  the  rear  one  had  passed  the  reviewing  stand. 

It  was  at  this  review,  as  now  remembered,  that  a  movement  unexpected 
and  out  of  the  regular  order  occurred.  At  the  firing  of  the  artillery 
salute  the  horses  and  mules  hitched  to  some  of  the  baggage-wagons 
became  frightened  and  ran  away,  smashing  and  clashing  into  each  other, 
in  spite  of  every  effort  of  their  drivers  to  hold  or  control  them.  Many  of 
the  men  and  horses  were  more  or  less  seriously  injured,  and  among  them 
Levi  Whitney,  of  Company  G,  who  had  his  leg  broken. 

About  this  time  Colonel  Potter  was  made  the  happy  recipient  of  a 
splendid  horse,  presented  to  him  by  the  line  officers  as  a  useful  token  of 
their  love  and  respect. 

But  the  men  of  the  musket  were  not  to  be  outdone  by  a  few  shoulder- 
straps  ;  and  so  each  orderly  sergeant  held  secret  conference  with  his 
company,  and  soon  the  amount  of  $253  was  raised  to  buy  a  saddle  and 
bridle  for  the  new  horse,  and  Sergeant  Seavey,  of  Company  K,  was 


JVcw  Hampshire   Volunteers.  63 

selected  to  go  to  Washington  and  procure  it.  To  get  a  furlough,  even 
for  three  days,  when  the  army  was  just  ready  to  move  was  next  to 
impossible.  But  the  sergeant,  bound  to  receive  no  denial  unless  from  the 
lips  of  General  Hooker  himself,  quickly  presented  himself  before  that 
officer,  who,  after  hearing  his  case,  decided  in  his  favor.  His  instructions 
were  to  buy  a  saddle  worth  not  less  than  $200 ;  but  such  a  one  could  not 
be  found  in  the  city,  nor  anything  a  quarter  as  good  as  he  wanted. 

Disappointed  but  not  discouraged,  he  at  last  found  a  saddler  who 
engaged  for  the  sum  of  $200  to  make  him  a  saddle  worth  the  money, 
although  he  only  had  two  days  and  one  night  in  which  to  have  it  ready. 

With  one  more  hard  struggle,  which  nearly  ended  in  a  fight,  he  suc 
ceeded  in  getting  on  board  the  boat  with  his  saddle  and  bridle  and  a  score 
of  other  things  that  the  boys  had  sent  for — among  which  was  a  bass 
drum  for  the  drum  corps,  and  a  tenor  drum  for  Walter  Libbey,  to  replace 
the  one  that  the  boys  had  long  joked  him  about  throwing  away  when 
the  shells  struck  the  regiment  at  Fredericksburg  —  and  before  light  the 
next  morning  he  was  back  to  camp,  ready  to  deliver  and  report.  That 
evening,  just  after  dress  parade,  there  was  a  large  gathering  around  the 
colonel's  quarters,  and  so  well  had  the  secret  been  kept  that  the  other 
officers  were  as  much  taken  by  surprise  as  the  colonel  when  Sergeant 
Dinsmore,  of  Company  E,  "in  behalf  of  the  rank  and  file  of  the  regi 
ment,"  presented  him  with  a  saddle  and  bridle  which  cost  nearly  as  much 
as  the  horse  they  were  bought  to  adorn. 

The  colonel  was  much  affected,  and  when  called  upon  for  a  speech 
could  only  say,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  "You  know  I  can't  talk,  boys, 
but  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart  I  thank  you."  The  horse  was  now  led 
out,  all  bridled  and  saddled,  and  the  colonel  was  lifted  into  his  seat,  and 
requested  to  show  himself.  As  the  horse,  thus  richly  caparisoned,  proudly 
bore  his  grateful  rider  up  and  down  the  parade-ground,  his  bright  silver 
trimmings  reflecting  the  rays  of  the  setting  sun  as  he  pranced  at  the  loud 
cheers  of  the  men,  it  was  a  picture  which,  could  it  have  a  lifelike  repro 
duction  now,  the  survivors  of  that  hour  would  go  a  long  way  to  see. 

Sunday,  April  26,  the  members  of  the  Twelfth  present  had  the  pleasure 
of  listening  to  an  eloquent  discourse  by  Elder  John  Chamberlain,  from 
New  Hampshire,  his  text  being  the  first  verse  of  the  eighteenth  chapter  of 
Matthew.  He  had  a  voice  of  remarkable  clearness  and  power,  and  was 
gifted  as  a  singer  as  well  as  an  orator.  He  was  the  author  of  the  cele 
brated  "  Railroad  Hymn,"  which  he  sang  on  this  occasion  with  fine  effect. 

But  camp  life  was  near  its  end,  for  Hooker  was  making  ready  for  a 
move,  and  there  was  soon  to  be  a  different  kind  of  music  in  the  air. 


CHAPTER    V. 

CHANCELLORSVILLE. 

Of  this  great  battle  it  may  be  truthfully  asserted,  that,  notwithstanding 
all  that  has  been  said  and  written,  it  still  remains  a  mystery. 

No  two  of  the  principal  actors  seem  to  be  of  the  same  opinion,  as  to  the 
primary  causes  of  the  unfortunate  result,  though  all  admit  that  the 
breaking  of  the  Eleventh  Corps  was  accidentally  the  chief ;  nor  do  they 
agree  upon  some  of  the  essential  particulars,  without  which  no  correct 
opinion  can  be  formed.  And  even  the  committee,  appointed  by  Congress 
for  the  special  purpose  of  investigation,  did  little  more  than  decide,  that 
the  chief  actor  in  this  sad  and  bloody  drama  was  not  drunk,  as  had  been 
charged  against  him. 

It  is  greatly  to  be  regretted  that  General  Hooker,  who  had  intended  to 
give  his  own  detailed  account  of  this  battle,  with  the  reasons  for  his  fail 
ure,  died  before  the  work  was  little  more  than  in  the  expectation  of  his 
friends,  who  impatiently  awaited  it. 

General  Howard  wrote  a  long  magazine  article  that  has  been  exten 
sively  published  and  read,  but  it  is  quite  evident  that  he  designed  it  more 
in  justification  of  himself  than  as  an  explanation  for  others.  And  had 
Hooker  lived  to  write  his  own  history  of  that  campaign,  it  is  probable 
that  the  same  criticism  would  apply,  so  natural  it  is  to  defend  our  own 
cause  and  course,  especially  when  both  are  momentous,  and  the  result 
disastrous ;  for  few  have  sufficient  moral  courage  to  say  with  Frederick 
the  Great,  "  I  have  lost  a  battle  but  the  fault  is  all  my  own."  But  with 
every  word  a  jewel  of  truth,  and  self  secondary,  no  statement  or  descrip 
tion,  however  lucid  and  comprehensive,  from  the  pen  of  General  Hooker 
himself,  could  have  satisfactorily  accounted  for  his  defeat  on  that  sangui 
nary  field. 

The  same  mysterious  Providence  that  humbled  him  by  defeat  there, 
but  saved  his  army,  by  the  death  of  Jackson,  to  save  the  country  a  few 
weeks  later  at  Gettysburg,  can  alone  answer  the  question  why  Hooker 
tried  and  failed  at  Chancellorsville. 

"As  Fate  commands,  our  actions  turn." 

It  said,  "  Thus  far,  but  no  farther,"  to  the  great  Napoleon  at  Water 
loo,  and  writh  the  same  unmistakable  emphasis,  "  Not  yet,"  to  the  heroic 
and  impetuous  Hooker  at  Chancellorsville. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  65 

As  stated  in  the  preceding  chapter,  it  was  evident  that  some  important 
move  of  the  army  was  about  to  be  made,  and  this  was  now  confirmed  by 
an  order  to  turn  over  all  surplus  baggage  and  clothing  (including  the 
woolen  blankets  of  the  men,  and  allowing  officers  only  twenty-five 
pounds  each  to  be  carried  on  the  teams)  to  the  quartermaster  to  be  sent 
to  Norfolk  for  storage,  and  to  be  ready  to  move,  in  heavy  marching 
order,  with  sixty  rounds  of  ammunition,  and  eight  clays  rations  —  three 
cooked,  in  haversack,  and  five  raw,  in  knapsack  —  to  every  man  of  the 
rank  and  file. 

The  men  had  already  seen  service  enough  to  take  in  the  full  import  of 
this  order,  but  the  dull  routine  of  camp  life  had  become  irksome,  and 
they  were  getting  half  impatient  for  something  less  monotonous  and  more 
exciting,  even  though  the  work  and  risk  be  correspondingly  greater. 
And  hence  the  order,  suggestive  and  significant  as  it  was  of  what  was  to 
follow,  when  led  by  "Fighting  Joe  Hooker,"  who  had  issued  it,  found 
but  few  grumblers  in  the  camps  of  the  army,  excepting  some  of  the 
officers  who  did  not  like  to  be  denied  the  privilege  of  transporting  all  the 
unnecessary  baggage  with  which  they  had  previously  so  loaded  down  the 
teams,  that  no  sick  soldier  could  get  a  chance  to  ride,  no  matter  how 
desirous  to  keep  along  with  his  regiment,  or  how  unable  to  do  so  without 
assistance. 

Mindful  of  the  loved  ones  left  far  behind,  and  of  the  dangers  evidently 
but  just  before  them,  many  of  the  more  thoughtful  improved  the  oppor 
tunity,  the  last  perhaps  they  would  ever  have,  to  write  letters  home, 
telling  of  what  was  being  done,  and  what  was  expected,  while  others 
purposely  withheld  such  news  or  refrained  from  writing  at  all,  lest  it 
might  cause  unnecessary  anxiety. 

Alas  !  in  how  many  homes  of  the  North  to-day  is  carefully  preserved 
the  last  missive  of  love  and  affection  from  a  father,  brother,  husband,  or 
son,  dated  "  Falmouth,  Va." 

On  the  28th  of  April,  at  the  hour  of  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  orders 
came  to  strike  tents,  and  soon  the  regiment  was  forming  in  line,  while 
the  drum  corps,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  sergeant-major  —  for  it  seemed 
like  leaving  home  —  played  the  tune  of  "  The  Girl  I  Left  Behind  Me." 

In  less  than  an  hour  all  is  ready,  and  the  colonel,  riding  to  the  centre- 
front,  gives  the  command  :  "  Shoulder  arms  ;  right  face  ;  right-shoulder- 
shift  arms;  forward,  route  step,  march,"  and  "we  are  off  for  Richmond 
or  the  grave,"  as  the  boys  expressed  themselves. 

After  quite  a  long  march,  continuing  into  the  night,  the  regiment 
halted  and  bivouacked  near  the  river,  and  some  four  or  five  miles  below 
Fredericksburg. 

The  next  morning,  before  it  was  fairly  light,  the  army  awoke  to  a 
reveille  of  musketry,  accompanied  at  intervals  by  a  heavy  artillery  base, 
in  the  direction  of  Fredericksburg.  A  thick  fog  hung  over  the  city  and 
stretched  along  the  valley  of  the  Rappahannock. 


66  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

This  was  looked  upon  by  some  of  the  soldiers  as  greatly  in  our  favor, 
as  under  cover  of  it  the  troops  could  with  greater  security  lay  the  pon 
toon  bridges  and  cross  the  river.  But  had  they  better  understood  the 
game  that  was  being  played  by  their  commander  they  would  have  known 
that  the  fog,  by  screening  the  movements  of  this  part  of  his  army  from 
the  enemy's  view,  was  liable  to  materially  interfere  with,  if  not  entirely 
defeat  his  plans,  instead  of  assisting  him  to  carry  them  out ;  for  the  main 
design  of  this  movement  on  the  left  was  to  deceive,  and  not  to  surprise 
the  enemy.  For  this  reason  his  artillery  continued  active,  with  no  other 
object  —  Brooks'  division  of  the  Sixth  Corps  having  crossed  the  river 
before  light  and  driven  back  the  enemy's  pickets  —  than  to  indicate  to 
the  ear  of  General  Lee  what  could  not  be  seen  through  his  field-glass, 
that  the  Union  commander  was  intending  to  renew  the  effort  of  Burnside, 
to  drive  him  from  his  position  by  attacking  his  right  and  centre.  But 
Hooker  had  no  thought  of  following  in  the  bloody  footsteps  of  his  unfor 
tunate  predecessor.  His  plans  reached  farther,  and  promised  far  better 
results.  However  befogged  the  enemy,  as  well  as  his  own  men,  in 
trying  to  divine  his  intentions,  in  his  own  mind  all  was  bright  and  clear. 

When,  in  a  few  hours,  the  morning  mist  obeyed  the  "Sovereign  King 
of  Day  "  and  retreated  from  the  valley  to  the  cloud-capped  mountains,  it 
uncovered  to  the  anxious  gaze  of  General  Lee  a  large  part  of  the  Fed 
eral  army,  massed  on  the  opposite  and  lower  banks  of  the  river,  and 
apparently  making  preparations  to  cross  in  force  upon  the  bridges 
already  constructed  there,  and  turn  his  right  flank. 

Two  divisions  of  the  First  Corps,  with  the  Sixth  waiting  to  follow,  had 
already  crossed  the  river,  while  the  Third  Corps  under  Sickles  lay  further 
back  in  reserve. 

During  this  and  the  following  day  there  was  much  marching  and  coun 
termarching  around  and  between  the  hills  by  infantry  and  artillery,  and 
so  manoeuvered  by  General  Sedgwick  in  command  of  this  wing  of  the 
army,  as  to  make  it  appear  to  the  enemy  that  the  whole  army  was  con 
centrating  here,  and  that  a  general  attack  was  about  to  be  made. 

This  last  was  true,  but  the  Confederate  commander  was  watching  in 
the  wrong  direction  ;  and,  before  he  was  aware  of  it,  his  left  instead  of 
his  right  flank  was  turned  by  General  Hooker  at  the  head  of  over  forty 
thousand  men  at  Chancellorsville. 

Toward  noon,  General  Whipple's  division  of  the  Third  Corps  moved 
about  half  u  mile  further  down  and  nearer  to  the  river.  The  day  had 
been  dark  and  cloudy,  and  the  night  coming  in  cold  and  wet,  the  men,  in 
no  happy  mood,  gathered  around  their  camp  fires  and  begun  to  discuss 
the  situation  and  prospect  of  things. 

Some  of  the  nervo-sanguine  temperament  became  impatient,  and 
wanted  to  know  what  General  Hooker  was  waiting  for,  and  why  he  did 
not  advance  in  force.  And  some  ironically  expressed  the  opinion  that  he 
had  probably  built  two  or  three  pontoon  bridges,  a  la  Burnside,  to  give 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers.  67 

the  enemy  due  notice  that  he  was  coming,  and  where  he  intended  to  cross 
the  river.  Later,  as  the  rain  increased,  they  feared  it  would  be  another 
stuck-in-the-mud  tramp. 

Others,  more  inclined  to  look  upon  the  bright  side,  but  equally  in  the 
dark,  would  banter  their  fault-finding  comrades  by  telling  them  that 
"Old  Joe"  ought  to  have  consulted  them  before  he  started,  not  only 
about  the  weather,  but  concerning  his  general  plan  of  operations ;  that 
they  had  better  write  "  Uncle  Abe"  how  things  were  going,  or  waiting 
to  go,  and  petition  the  clerk  of  the  weather  for  a  dry  time  to  get  back  to 
camp  in,  etc.,  etc. 

While  others  still,  more  matter  of  fact  and  philosophic,  would  calmly 
discuss  the  advantages  and  disadvantages  of  this  and  that  plan  of  a  cam 
paign,  and  the  relative  probabilities  of  success  should  Hooker  decide  to 
adopt  one  or  the  other.  They  rightly  concluded  that  the  move  to  the  left 
was  nothing  more  than  a  feint,  but  were  wholly  unable  to  even  conjecture 
when  and  \vhere  the  real  attack  would  be  made. 

The  next  morning  all  that  were  able,  crawled  out  from  under  their 
water-soaked  shelters,  some  pleasant  and  smiling,  but  most  of  them  cold, 
crabbed,  and  cross  ;  and  it  was  noticed,  as  they  sat  shivering  around  their 
slowly  kindling  fires,  waiting  for  a  dipper  of  hot  coffee  to  warm  them 
up,  that  the  number  of  last  night's  grumblers  had  largely  increased, 
while  the  jokes  were  less  —  though  you  could  neither  freeze  nor  drown 
out  the  irrepressible  wit  of  some  —  and  the  reflective  ones  were  silent. 

Nothing,  unless  defeat,  dampens  the  spirit  of  an  army  in  the  field  like 
wet  weather. 

Slowly  the  morning  hours  pass,  but  the  storm  is  over,  and  just  as  the 
welcome  sun  breaks  through  the  scattering  clouds  —  bright  harbinger  of 
the  good  news  coming  —  a  courier  dashes  into  camp,  and  this  is  the  glad 
tidings  that  he  brings  : 

HD.  QRS.  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC, 
CAMP  NEAR  FALMOUTH,  VA.,  April  30,  1863. 

It  is  with  heartfelt  satisfaction  that  the  commanding  general  announces  to  the 
army  that  the  operations  of  the  last  three  days  have  determined  that  our  enemy 
must  either  ingloriously  fly  or  come  out  from  behind  his  defenses  and  give  us 
battle  on  our  own  ground  where  certain  destruction  awaits  him.  The  operations 
of  the  5th,  1 1  th,  and  i  2th  Corps  have  been  a  succession  of  splendid  achievements. 

By  command  of 

MAJ.  GEN.  HOOKER. 
S.  WILLIAMS,  Asst.  Adjt.  Gen. 

No  sooner  was  this  published  to  the  Third  Corps,  by  being  read  in 
front  of  every  regiment,  than  such  a  shout  went  up  with  a  cloud  of  caps 
and  hats,  that  one  who  was  there  lifts  his  pen  and  listens,  half  thinking 
he  can  hear  it  now. 


68  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

How  quick  and  great  the  change  ! 

"A  moment  ago  'twas  a  drear,  dumb  show,"  but  now  — 
The  doubting  and  pouting  together  are  shouting  "  hurrah  for  '  Fighting  Joe.' ': 

All  was  enthusiasm  and  excitement  now  among  the  troops,  as  they 
impatiently  awaited  the  momentarily  expected  order  to  march.  It  came 
at  i  P.  M.,  and  soon  the  whole  corps  were  on  the  road  to  United  States 
Ford.  For  twelve  long  hours,  or  until  i  o'clock  the  next  morning, 
without  a  single  halt  of  more  than  a  few  moments  at  a  time,  the  weary 
but  cheerful  soldiers  continued  their  march,  bivouacking  at  last  near 
Hartwood  Church,  and  having  by  this  forced  march  of  eighteen  or 
twenty  miles,  over  a  circuitous  valley  route  that  hid  them  from  the  enemy, 
placed  themselves  some  twelve  or  fourteen  miles  nearer  to  and  within 
supporting  distance  of  Hooker's  right,  which  they  were  to  reinforce,  and 
where  their  potent  presence  was  soon  to  be  felt,  as  well  as  needed. 

This  was  the  first  forced  march  the  Twelfth  had  ever  made.  But  the 
inspiring  send-off  it  received,  lasted  way  through,  and  kept  up  the  cour 
age  of  the  men.  Besides,  it  was  confidently  believed  that  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  had  at  last  got  a  leader  who  knew  what  to  do,  and  was 
going  to  do  it.  And  it  is  quite  as  necessary  to  have  confidence  in  your 
leader  as  courage  to  follow  him.  Certainly  neither  was  wanting  now, 
and  never  was  leader  or  led  more  sanguine  of  success,  or  more  willing  to 
fight  for  it.  But  in  war,  if  nowhere  else,  "it  is  the  unexpected  that 
happens." 

The  afternoon  had  been  quite  warm,  and  many  wished  before  night 
that  their  overcoats  were  with  their  woolen  blankets,  on  the  way  to  Nor 
folk.  And  some,  regardless  of  want  or  worth,  forgetful  of  the  night 
before  and  heedless  of  the  nights  to  come,  deliberately  threw  them  away 
—  to  be  picked  up,  perhaps,  by  other  soldiers  who  had  been  without  long 
enough  to  learn  the  need  of  them,  or  to  lie  until  the  army  had  passed, 
and  then  to  be  quickly  gathered  up  by  the  close  following  citizens  to  be 
sent  off  to  their  relations  and  friends  in  the  rebel  army. 

These  ready  finders  of  all  our  troops  were  foolish  enough  to  throw 
away  —  although  it  was  by  no  means  always  foolish  to  do  so  —  were 
typical  representatives  of  the  "poor  white  trash"  of  the  South  in  ante 
helium  days,  and  which  are  still  to  be  found  plenty  in  many  of  the  south 
ern  states.  An  old  horse  or  mule,  sometimes,  but  oftener  an  old  ox,  a 
steer,  or  a  cow,  strangely  tackled  by  means  of  an  old  harness  or  yoke, 
spliced  together  and  tied  up  by  ropes,  strings,  and  pieces  of  twisted  bark, 
to  a  primitive  kind  of  a  two-wheeled,  nondescript  kind  of  a  cart,  that  no 
Yankee  would  care  to  make  or  imitate  if  he  could,  with  an  old  man  or 
woman  or  a  young  boy,  and  sometimes  a  girl  for  a  driver  and  a  cord  or 
string  of  some  kind  tied  to  the  bits  or  horns — as  the  animal  motive  power 
might  belong  to  the  equine  or  bovine  order  —  for  reins,  and  the  pen- 
picture  is  by  no  means  complete,  but  only  a  scratch-sketch  of  some  of 


JVVw  Hampshire   Volunteers.  69 

the  picking-up  teams  of  the  stay-at-home  natives  that  used  to  follow  our 
armies  on  their  marches  through  the  South. 

Many  loads  of  "Uncle  Sam's"  dressing  goods  were  picked  up  in  this 
way,  not  only  of  overcoats,  but  of  blankets,  dress  coats  and  vests  ;  and 
even  of  caps,  boots,  socks,  shirts,  and  drawers,  together  with  many  other 
things  of  less  worth,  and  the  knapsack  in  which  they  had  been  carried, 
and  all,  that  could  be  of  any  use  to  them,  sent  to  help  clothe  the  ill-clad 
soldiers  of  the  rebel  armies.  And  thus  the  clothing  accounts  of  many  of 
the  Federal  troops  were  often  unwittingly  duplicated  for  the  benefit  of  the 
men  they  were  fighting.  From  this  source,  and  from  what  was  robbed 
from  our  men  who  were  taken  prisoners,  and  stripped  from  the  dead  and 
wounded  left  on  the  field,  the  rebel  soldiers  received  a  large  share  of 
their  clothing. 

General  Sickles,  with  his  corps,  being  now  within  supporting  distance, 
his  troops  were  allowed  to  rest  until  u  o'clock,  when  the  bugle  again 
sounds  "  Fall  in,"  and  soon  they  are  crossing  the  Rappahannock  at 
United  States  Ford. 

Soon  after  crossing  the  river  the  column  entered  the  woods,  and  word 
came  back  from  the  front  to  look  out  for  the  rebel  cavalry  that  were  re 
ported  close  upon  our  flank. 

Sound  of  distant  picket  firing  could  now  be  distinctly  heard  in  the 
advance,  and  orders  were  given  to  load. 

Just  after  this  order  was  received,  and  while  the  men  where  executing 
it,  there  was  a  sharp  and  sudden  crack  of  musketry,  as  it  seemed,  in  the 
immediate  front.  For  a  moment  it  was  thought  that  the  rebel  cavalry 
had  opened  upon  us  with  their  carbines,  and  some  of  the  boys  turned 
pale  from  fear  for  the  first  and  last  time  through  all  the  fighting  and  dan 
ger  that  they  were  in  during  their  whole  service  in  the  war.  A  company 
or  two  in  the  next  regiment  ahead  had  snapped  caps  to  clear  out  their 
gun  tubes  before  loading. 

"  Only  this,  and  nothing  more." 

This  little  incident  shows  how  the  best  of  troops  may  sometimes  be 
thrown  into  disorder  by  an  unexpected  attack,  just  as  the  Eleventh  Corps 
was  on  the  day  following. 

Orders  were  next  given  to  regimental  commanders  to  keep  their  com 
pany  files  well  closed  up,  ready  to  face,  front  or  rear,  into  an  unbroken 
line  of  battle  at  a  moment's  warning,  as  the  enemy's  cavalry  was  liable 
to  charge  upon  the  marching  column  and  cut  it  in  two,  unless  ready  to 
receive  them. 

After  marching  two  miles  further,  another  halt  was  called,  and  the 
order  given  to  unsling  knapsacks,  and  stack  them  up  in  company  files  by 
the  side  of  the  road.  One  man  from  each  company  was  left  behind  to 
guard  them,  and  the  regiment,  now  in  fighting  trim,  excepting  overcoats, 


yo  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

again  marches  forward,  while  the  increasing  musketry,  interspersed  with 
artillery,  sounds  "  nearer,  clearer,  deadlier,  than  before." 

Soon  is  seen  the  smoke  of  the  skirmish  line  —  for  it  is  little  more  than 
a  skirmish  as  yet—  and  then  the  brigade  is  deployed  in  line  of  battle, 
ready  for  action. 

The  lieutenant-colonel  rides  along  in  front  of  the  Twelfth,  saying, 
"  Don't  be  frightened,  boys  ;  I  never  knew  a  battle  to  be  fought  when  you 
expected  it."  This  was  done  of  course  to  strengthen  the  timid  ones,  if  any 
such  were  there,  but  it  had  a  quieting  effect  upon  the  nerves  of  all  who 
believed,  as  most  of  them  did,  that  the  regiment  would  be  engaged  before 
dark.  But  Colonel  Marsh  proved  as  good  a  prophet  as  he  was  soldier ; 
for  as  evening  approached  the  firing  gradually  died  away,  "  and  about 
10  o'clock,"  as  writes  one,  "  we  marched  back  to  our  knapsacks." 

Here,  with  the  dead  leaves  upon  the  ground  for  a  bed,  and  the  green 
branches  of  the  forest  pines  overhead  for  a  covering,  all  slept,  sound  and 
undisturbed,  through  the  night. 

Early  the  next  morning  the  men  were  aroused  from  their  sylvan  biv 
ouac,  and  while  awaiting  the  breakfast  preparation  of  "  Government 
Java,"  already  simmering  over  the  crackling  fires,  Lieutenant  Elder 
Durgin,  using  a  rotten  pine  stump  for  a  pulpit,  preached  a  five  minutes 
sermon  to  the  members  of  his  company,  and  such  others  as  quickly 
gathered  round,  telling  them  in  his  own  earnest  and  impassioned  style, 
that  the  day  of  duty  and  danger  had  come,  and  that  they  must  shirk 
neither,  but  stand  up  and  fight  like  men  worthy  to  bear  the  name  of 
"  New  Hampshire  Mountaineers,"  and  to  prove  themselves,  on  the  com 
ing  field  of  battle,  heroically  true  to  their  country  and  their  God. 

After  transferring  a  liberal  portion  of  their  cooked  rations  from  the  full 
haversacks  of  "  Uncle  Sam"  to  the  now  quite  empty,  old-fashioned  ones 
of  their  own  that  would  hold  the  hot  coffee  that  was  now  ready,  thereby 
both  lightening  their  load  and  increasing  their  strength  to  carry  it,  they 
strap  on  their  knapsacks  and  return  to  the  front.  During  the  forenoon 
the  regiment,  moving  with  its  brigade,  marched  up  the  plank  road  past 
the  Chancellor  House,  halting  and  waiting  at  two  or  three  places  along 
the  way,  and  near  the  hour  of  noon,  filed  off  on  a  cross  road,  leading 
into  the  woods  from  a  cleared  elevation,  now  known  as  Hazel  Grove. 

While  waiting  here  for  further  orders,  and  enjoying  the  refreshing 
coolness  of  the  forest  shade,  no  one  suspected  that,  within  less  than  half 
a  mile  of  their  pleasant  and  seemingly  safe  retreat  from  the  mid-day  sun, 
the  advance  of  General  Jackson's  rebel  troops,  with  muffled  dippers 
and  canteens,  were  silently  but  swiftly  marching  past  our  right  flank, 
upon  which,  ere  the  setting  sun,  it  was  to  fall  like  a  thunder-bolt  from  a 
clear  sky. 

So  near  indeed  were  some  of  our  men,  who  had  gone  further  into  the 
woods  in  search  of  water,  that  they  were  discovered  by  Jackson's  flank 
ers,  and  only  saved  from  death  or  capture  by  fear  the  latter  had  of  mak- 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers .  71 

ing  known  their  near  approach  and  thereby  imperiling  their  own  safety, 
and  the  ultimate  success  of  the  bold  and  hazardous  movement  of  their 
determined  leader. 

The  cursory  picket  firing  of  the  morning,  that  for  some  time  was 
anxiously  listened  to  as  prelusive  of  the  expected  battle,  had  gradually 
died  away,  until  no  sound  of  war  was  heard,  and  all  was  quiet  along  the 
silent  course  of  the  Rappahannock.  But  it  was  the  storm-brewing  calm, 
and  the  very  air  seemed  tremulous  with  apprehension  of  coming  danger. 

While  resting  and  waiting  in  the  shade  of  the  sweet-scented  pines,  and 
enjoying  the  rare  opportunity  of  washing  down  their  noon-day  lunch 
with  clear,  cool  water  from  a  neighboring  spring,  the  joke  and  laugh 
went  round,  and  it  seemed  more  like  a  school-boy's  picnic,  than  a  lucky 
hour's  respite  from  the  "  rough  and  rugged  ranks  of  war." 

"This  is  too  good  to  last,"  remarked  one  of  the  thoughtful  ones,  and 
it  did  not  last,  as  will  soon  be  seen  ;  for  even  while  the  boys  were  enjoy 
ing  their  post  prandial  amusements,  Colonel  Potter,  with  the  true  in 
stinct  of  an  old  soldier  and  Indian  fighter,  snuffed  danger  in  the  air,  and 
taking  a  hint  from  one  of  the  staff  officers  about  the  enemy's  movements, 
went  with  him  out  beyond  our  troops,  and  putting  his  ear  to  the  ground 
could  distinctly  hear  the  rumble  of  artillery  passing  by,  and  now  and 
then  the  well  known  click  of  the  wheel  hubs  against  the  shoulders  of  the 
axles. 

This,  with  other  information  of  like  import,  was  soon  communicated  to 
General  Hooker,  and  about  the  same  time  a  part  of  the  moving  column 
was  seen  about  two  miles  away,  near  the  "  Old  Furnace." 

About  12  o'clock  General  Sickles  requested  and  obtained  permission  of 
General  Hooker  to  advance  with  two  divisions  of  his  corps  and  intercept 
this  column,  and  ascertain,  if  possible,  whether  that  part  of  Lee's  army 
was  retreating,  as  some  thought,  from  the  direction  of  their  march  at  the 
point  where  they  could  be  seen,  or  whether  it  was  circling  round  to 
attack  our  flank  and  rear. 

General  Whipple's  division  being  selected  by  General  Sickles  as  a  part 
of  his  advancing  force,  the  Twelfth  Regiment  was  soon  again  beneath 
the  sun's  hot  rays,  trampling  the  dusty  road  in  search  of  the  enemy. 

Smoke  was  seen  rising  in  the  distance,  and  the  word  came  back  from 
the  front  that  the  enemy  was  surely  retreating,  and  burning  his  baggage 
to  keep  it  trom  falling  into  our  hands. 

This  report  was  believed  by  many  of  the  officers,  as  well  as  men,  and 
even  by  General  Hooker  himself,  as  recorded  by  some  of  his  corps  com 
manders. 

Among  the  men  of  the  ranks  there  was  a  division  upon  the  question 
between  the  old  and  the  new  enlistments  ;  the  latter  beginning  to  hope 
that  they  would  soon  be  in  Richmond  (as  some  of  them  were),  while  the 
former,  who  had  served  under  McClellan  and  Pope,  were  less  credulous, 
and  did  not  believe  that  Lee  or  Jackson  would  run  before  they  were  hurt. 


72  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

To  the  often  repeated  expressions  of  the  more  sanguine  that  "  Hooker's 
got  'em  " ;  "They  conclude  to  '  ingloriously  fly'  rather  than  fight  us  on 
our  own  ground";  "The  Johnnies  don't  like  the  relative  situation  of 
things  as  well  as  they  did  at  Fredericksburg  " ;  "There  is  no  stone  wall 
butting  or  stuck-in-the-mud  nonsense  this  time,"  etc.,  etc.,  would  be  heard 
the  ready  rejoinders  :  "  Never  crow  till  you're  out  of  the  woods  "  ;  "  We 
have  heard  enough  of  this  kind  of  talk  before";  "You'll  find  out  before 
you  know  it  (many  a  true  word  is  spoken  in  jest)  that  'Old  Lee'  is 
neither  a  fool  nor  a  coward,  and  that  his  men  can  fight  equally  well 
whether  behind  a  stone  wall  or  pine  trees"  ;  "  Go  slow,  Joe,  and  let  your 
hair  grow  ;  for  don't  you  know  that  'taint  all  so?  " 

But  while  sad  experience  had  taught  the  volunteers  of  '61  not  to  expect 
an  easy  victory,  yet  remembering  the  prowess  of  their  chief  as  shown  in 
the  battle  of  Williamsburg  and  other  engagements  on  the  Peninsula, 
and  the  laurels,  yet  green  upon  his  brow,  won  on  the  bloody  field  of 
Antietam,  they,  in  common  with  those  who  only  knew  him  by  reputation 
as  "  Fighting  Joe,"  had  full  confidence  that  when  an  order  to  retreat,  or 
an  offer  to  surrender  did  come,  as  soon  it  must  from  one  side  or  the 
other,  it  would  not  come  from  him. 

In  order  to  protect  and  cover  his  own  flank  while  moving  himself 
against  the  flank  of  the  enemy,  General  Sickles,  after  marching  a  mile 
or  more,  ordered  General  Whipple  to  move  his  two  remaining  brigades 
—  the  other  brigade,  Berdan's  sharpshooters,  having  already  been  de 
tached  to  act  as  skirmishers  and  flankers  —  obliquely  to  the  left  of  the 
road  upon  which  he  was  advancing,  so  as  to  check  any  aggressive  move 
ment  of  the  enemy  from  that  direction. 

Soon  after  leaving  the  road  the  two  brigades  were  deployed  in  line  of 
battle.  Colonel  Bowman's,  of  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  and  Eighty- 
fourth  Pennsylvania,  forming  the  right  in  the  order  named.  The  One 
Hundred  and  Tenth  Pennsylvania,  of  this  brigade,  had  been  left  back  to 
support  a  battery. 

In  this  formation,  preceded  by  a  line  of  skirmishers,  the  division 
advanced  down  through  a  ravine,  across  a  brook  nearly  waist  deep,  and 
then  ascended  a  steep  and  rugged  hill,  the  side  of  which  was  so  densely 
covered  with  trees  and  bushes,  entwined  and  interlaced  with  vines  and 
briars,  that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  keep  a  single  file  together,  to  say 
nothing  about  a  line  of  battle. 

Gaining  the  top,  the  line,  if  such  it  could  now  be  called,  was  reformed, 
while  Company  C,  of  the  Twelfth,  was  ordered  to  deploy  as  skirmishers 
and  move  obliquely  to  the  right  for  a  short  distance.  Finding  no  enemy, 
or  signs  of  any  in  that  direction,  it  soon  returned,  and  the  line,  swinging  to 
the  left,  moved  rapidly  down  the  opposite  side  of  the  hill  into  a  meadow 
across  which  the  rebel  pickets  were  exchanging  shots  with  our  skirmishers. 

The  bullets  soon  multiply,  as  the  rebel  reserve  comes  up,  into  quite  a 
horizontal  shower,  but  so  quickly  do  the  men  obey  the  order  to  lie  down, 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  73 

and  so  closely  do  they  hug  the  ground  at  the  edge  of  the  meadow,  that 
only  one  man  of  the  regiment  was  seriously  wounded.  This  was  Hutch- 
ins,  of  Company  I,  who  was  hit  in  the  elbow  by  trying  to  see  the 
"Johnnies"  and  avoid  their  fire  at  the  same  time. 

This  was  the  first  time  the  regiment  had  come  under  musketry  fire, 
although  it  had  become  well  acquainted,  if  not  too  familiar,  with  solid 
shot  and  shell  at  Fredericksburg. 

While  waiting  on  the  top  of  the  hill  for  Company  C  to  return  from  its 
reconnoissance,  one  of  the  non-commissioned  staff  of  the  Twelfth  went 
forward  to  the  skirmish  line,  where  one  of  them,  crouched  behind  a  small 
boulder,  was  exchanging  shots  with  a  rebel  sharpshooter  across  an  inter 
vening  valley. 

"  Cover  yourself,  quick,  if  you  don't  want  your  comrades  to  do  it  for 
you,"  cried  out  the  skirmisher  as  he  noticed  the  approach  of  his  visitor. 
But  before  the  latter  could  fully  comprehend  the  meaning  of  the  warning 
words,  to  say  nothing  about  time  to  obey  them,  there  came  a  swift  inter 
preter  in  the  shape  of  a  Minie-ball  that  whispered  in  his  left  ear,  and 
reminded  him,  just  then,  that  he  might  be  wanted  back  with  his  regiment. 
He  did  not  wait  for  another  reminder. 

Just  as  "yon  level  sun"  was  sending  the  shadows  of  the  forest  trees 
across  the  meadow,  there  was  a  roar  and  crash  of  arms  almost  in  the 
rear  and  seeming  to  come,  as  it  really  did,  from  the  very  place  that  the 
division  had  occupied  but  a  few  hours  before.  It  was  the  first  blast  of 
the  cyclone  that  swept  the  Eleventh  Corps  from  its  position  on  the  right 
of  the  Union  line  like  chaff  from  a  threshing  floor. 

The  solid  columns  of  General  Jackson's  advance  were  now  making  too 
desperate  and  determined  attacks  upon  the  rear  of  our  own  army  to  allow 
further  chasing  after  the  rear  guard  of  his,  and  the  division  was  at  once 
called  back  from  its  now  dangerous  position  in  front  to  meet  a  still  greater 
danger  in  the  opposite  direction. 

General  Whippie  now  leads  his  command  rapidly  from  the  meadow 
back  over  the  hill,  and  through  the  woods  toward  the  clearing  it  had 
occupied  at  noon. 

The  Twelfth  had  not  proceeded  far  when  Colonel  Marsh,  learning  that 
Companies  F  and  G  had  been  left,  by  order  of  Colonel  Bowman,  com 
manding  the  brigade,  down  in  the  meadow  to  cover  his  retreat,  came 
riding  back  and  found,  as  he  feared,  that  these  two  companies  had  been 
left,  and  were  still  waiting  orders  a  half-mile  or  more  in  the  rear,  where 
in  a  few  moments  more  they  would  be  marching  to  the  rear  of  the  rebel 
army  as  prisoners  of  war. 

Ordering  the  sergeant-major  to  run,  as  fast  as  he  could,  toward  the 
front  of  the  column  and  get  orders  from  Colonel  Bowman,  or  one  of  his 
staff,  to  take  the  companies  off,  Colonel  Marsh  rode  back  over  the  hill, 
and  waited  with  them  for  a  reply  to  his  message.  He  was  welcomed  with 
almost  tears  of  gladness  by  the  men  who  expected  every  moment  to  be 


74  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

surrounded  by  the  rebels  who  were  already  moving  to  cut  off  their  retreat. 
Anxiously  they  waited,  but  not  long,  before  they  heard,  as  a  voice  from 
the  clouds,  the  glad  words  that  came  down  to  them  from  the  sergeant  on 
the  hill-top,  "  Bring  them  up"  The  sergeant-major,  well  nigh  ex 
hausted  by  his  long,  hard  run  (for  he  had  done  his  best,  fully  realizing 
the  critical  condition  of  his  comrades),  sat  down  and  rested  as  he  waited 
to  accompany  the  little  rear  guard  that  was  coming. 

Soon  he  heard  the  double-quick  tramp,  and  then  the  labored  breathing 
from  their  hurry  up  the  hill,  and  the  next  moment  he  was  gladly  with 
them  in  their  rapid  march  to  catch  up  with  the  regiment. 

This  was  the  second  time  that  Colonel  Marsh  had  saved  two  companies 
of  the  regiment  by  his  vigilance  and  resolution,  —  Company  F  being 
twice  rescued  by  him  —  for  which  he  deserves  full  credit. 

The  shadows  of  night  were  fast  gathering,  as  Colonel  Bowman's  brig 
ade  emerged  from  the  woods.  The  blaze  of  musketry  and  the  flash  of 
artillery  at  Hazel  Grove  and  in  the  woods  along  the  plank  road  beyond, 
plainly  told,  even  if  no  sound  had  been  heard,  of  the  fierce  struggle 
between  the  Blue  and  the  Gray  for  its  possession.  The  stampede  of  the 
Eleventh  Corps,  flying  panic-stricken  from  the  field,  followed  up  by  the 
desperate  energy  of  Jackson's  charging  battalions,  crazy  with  the  excite 
ment  of  the  chase  —  for  it  had  been,  thus  far,  more  of  a  chase  than  a 
fight  —  had  carried  fear  and  consternation  into  the  ranks  of  the  Union 
forces  and  threatened,  at  one  time,  the  safety  of  the  whole  army.  But 
the  stubborn  resistance  of  Berry's  veterans  of  the  Third  Corps  with  the 
bayonet,  and  the  heroic  sacrifice  of  Major  Keenan  and  his  brave  four 
hundred,  who,  with  their  sabres,  cut  their  way  through  the  rebel  ranks  to 
undying  fame,  had  given  time  for  Generals  Sickles  and  Pleasanton,  by 
the  most  energetic  efforts,  to  get  together  and  align  a  sufficient  number  of 
guns  to  check  the  hitherto  resistless  tide  of  Jackson's  exultant  legions. 

In  the  mean  time,  and  at  the  most  critical  moment,  when  the  sword  of 
Damocles  hung  over  the  Federal  commander,  night  and  Jackson  fell  and 
the  arm)'  was  saved. 

It  was  just  after  twenty-two  pieces  of  artillery,  double-shotted  with 
canister,  had  covered  the  ground  with  rebel  dead,  and  driven  their  sur 
viving  comrades  back  under  cover  of  the  woods,  that  the  Twelfth  reached 
the  field  of  carnage,  and  was  at  once  ordered  up  to  the  support  of  the 
artillery.  It  was  placed  in  the  immediate  rear  of  one  of  the  batteries, 
and  Company  F  was  sent  forward  and  deployed  near  the  edge  of  the 
woods,  into  which  the  rebels  had  just  been  driven,  with  orders  not  to  reply 
to  the  enemy's  fire,  but  to  quickly  fall  back  behind  our  batteries  should 
he  again  advance  in  force  during  the  night.  This  was  to  give  the  artil 
lery  another  chance  to  reap  a  bloody  harvest. 

The  Third  Corps,  of  about  fifteen  thousand  men,  was  now  bunched  up 
on  a  few  acres  of  cleared  ground,  almost  surrounded  by  the  forest,  filled 
with  exultant  rebels,  who  had  already  paralyzed  and  almost  destroyed 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  75 

the  effectiveness  of  one  corps,  and  now  seriously  threatened  the  safety  of 
another. 

Their  charging  screech  and  yell,  that  sounded  like  a  commingled  pack 
of  wild-cats  and  wolves,  had  now  ceased.  But  here  and  there  in  the 
distance  a  similar  sound,  in  a  minor  key,  heard  at  intervals  until  late  in 
the  night,  told  that  the  news  of  Jackson's  great  success  was  being 
heralded  through  their  army,  and,  coming  from  almost  every  direction, 
reminded  some  of  the  Twelfth  boys  of  the  story  of  the  lost  traveler, 
spending  a  cold,  sleepless  night  alone  in  the  wilderness,  surrounded  by 
howling  wolves  and  beasts  of  prey. 

These  cheers  —  for  such  they  were  intended  —  heard  in  their  rear  as 
well  as  their  front,  were  not  very  cheering  sounds  to  the  silently  listening 
ranks  of  Sickles's  brave  men,  who  fully  realized  their  situation,  and 
seriously  anticipated  the  struggle  that  awaited  them. 

Thus  cut  off,  and  nearly  surrounded,  with  only  a  narrow  neck  of 
swamp  land,  almost  impassable,  connecting  him  with  the  main  army,  the 
question  for  General  Sickles  to  answer  was,  how  he  could  best  comply 
with  the  last  order  from  General  Hooker,  to  save  his  command  if  he 
could.  Having,  through  the  medium  of  a  courier  sent  across  the  swamp, 
obtained  permission,  he  resolved  to  make  a  midnight  attack  upon  the 
enemy,  which  was  so  gallantly  done  by  General  Birney's  division,  charg 
ing  with  fixed  bayonets  and  uncapped  pieces,  that  some  of  the  Eleventh 
Corps  guns  and  a  part  of  the  supply  train  lost  by  the  Third  Corps,  were 
recaptured,  and  the  enemy  driven  back  through  the  woods  beyond  the 
plank  road,  thereby  opening  easy  communication  with  Hooker's  head 
quarters  at  the  Chancellor  House. 

This  brilliant  charge  was  made  just  to  the  right  of  our  own  position, 
and,  lighted  up  by  the  flash  and  blaze  of  the  enemy's  artillery  and  mus 
ketry  along  the  dark  edge  of  the  dense  forest,  for  a  background,  was  a 
scene  that  no  one  who  saw  and  may  read  these  lines  will  fail  to  recall. 

"  By  heavens!  it  was  a  glorious  sight 
For  him  who  had  no  brother  there." 

Again  the  Twelfth  Regiment  was  fortunate  in  being  exposed  only  to  the 
stray  shots,  instead  of  the  direct  fire  of  the  foe,  as  it  would  have  been 
had  it  arrived  a  little  sooner  upon  the  ground  in  the  early  evening,  or  had 
been  a  part  of  the  charging  column  later  in  the  night.  But  its  turn  in  the 
sad  havoc  of  war  was  soon  to  come. 

The  men,  with  their  clothes  still  wet  from  fording  the  deep  brooks  in 
the  afternoon,  suffered  much,  lying  with  chilled  limbs  and  shivering 
bodies,  uncovered  upon  the  cold  ground,  with  no  chance  to  warm  or 
scarcely  to  move.  Few,  if  any,  closed  their  eyes  in  sleep  during  that 
eventful  night.  Had  their  physical  condition  allowed,  their  thoughts 
were  too  sadly  busy  for  the  mind  to  acquiesce.  The  events  of  the  day, 
the  situation  of  the  night,  and  the  unavoidable  strife  of  the  coming  mor- 


76  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

row,  when  the  great  battle  so  disastrously  commenced,  would  be  re 
newed  ;  the  piteous  cries  of  the  wounded,  still  lying  uncared  for  around 
them,  and  the  memory  of  home,  and  the  loved  ones  there,  whom,  as  all 
feared  and  many  felt,  they  should  never  see  again,  all  combined  to  give 
ample  scope  for  serious  reflection. 

Although  thus  far  there  was  greater  cause  for  joy  than  sorrow  in  the 
ranks  of  the  Twelfth,  yet,  as  "  coming  events  cast  their  shadows  before," 
there  was  a  general  feeling  of  apprehension,  that  the  morrow  would 
bring,  as  it  did,  the  harvest  of  death. 

Just  in  rear  of  this  night  battle-line,  for  every  man  lay  in  file  on  his 
arms,  there  was  an  old  stable,  into  which  many  of  the  wounded  had  been 
carried,  and  from  which  throughout  the  night  came  commingled  moans 
and  groans  of  the  wounded  and  dying.  The  piteous,  heart-piercing  cries 
of  one  poor  fellow,  continuing  until  the  angel  of  death  heard  and  came 
to  his  relief,  are  still  sounding  through  memory's  half-deserted  halls,  and 
can  only  cease  when  he  who  heard  them  hears  and  feels  no  more. 

Colonels  Potter  and  Marsh,  and  the  kind-hearted  "Old  Major,"  as  he 
was  called,  walked  up  and  down  the  line,  telling  the  boys  to  keep  quiet 
and  sleep,  if  they  could,  and  they  would  stand  guard  over  them  for  that 
night. 

They  too  well  understood  the  meaning  and  effect  of  Jackson's  unex 
pected  attack,  the  critical  situation  of  Sickles's  command,  and  the  terrible 
struggle  that  must  soon  ensue,  to  think  of  rest  or  sleep  for  themselves. 

The  moon,  though  full,  soon  veiled  herself  with  thin  clouds,  which 
spread  a  shade  of  sombre  sadness  over  the  earth  that  seemed  to  fore 
shadow  the  coming  strife. 

But  the  slow  and  chilly  hours  of  that  night  of  doubt  and  fear  went  by 
at  last. 

"And  Sabbath's  holy  morn  too  soon  appeared, 
To  bring  such  awful  strife." 

As  soon  as  light  both  armies  were  standing  to  arms  and  ready  for  action. 

Sickles  had  received  orders  from  his  chief  to  withdraw,  if  possible, 
from  his  perilous  position,  and  unite  with  the  main  army  on  his  right. 
This  was  a  request  much  easier  to  make  than  to  comply  with,  and  no 
sooner  is  the  attempt  made  than  the  enemy  objects,  and  the  battle  com 
mences. 

While  the  troops  nearer  to,  or  in  the  edge  of  the  woods,  are  engaged 
in  holding  the  forces  of  Jackson  —  now  commanded  by  General  Stuart  — 
back  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  the  rest  of  the  corps,  not  needed  for 
immediate  support,  is  being  rapidly  moved  off  to  the  new  lines  of  de 
fence,  surrounding  the  open  rise  of  cleared  ground  near  the  Chancellor 
House,  known  as  Fairview. 

Whipple's  division  being,  as  we  have  seen,  in  reserve,  and  farthest 
from  the  woods,  was  first  to  move.  Down  through  a  narrow  valley  of 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  77 

swamp  land,  partly  covered  with  bushes,  regiment  after  regiment  fol 
lowed  each  other  in  quick  succession,  until  it  was  evident  that  Hazel 
Grove  was  to  be  abandoned  to  the  surrounding  lines  of  "butternut  and 
gray,"  who  were  eagerly  pushing  forward  on  three  sides,  impatient  to 
possess  it. 

Hooker  has  been  severely  criticised  for  giving  up  that  position,  as  it 
gave  the  enemy  a  convenient  elevation  upon  which  to  mask  his  artillery 
and  enfilade  the  Union  lines. 

But  how  he  could  have  held  it  without  sacrificing  one  of  his  best  fight 
ing  corps,  we  have  never  seen  or  heard  explained. 

The  Twelfth,  passing  for  some  distance  beside  a  fence  in  this  quick 
and  short  retreat,  every  man  was  ordered  to  shoulder  a  rail,  the  special 
purpose  of  which,  to  the  explosion  of  a  multitude  of  conjectures,  was 
soon  found  to  be  the  filling  up  of  a  miry  creek  so  that  the  artillery  could 
be  safely  hauled  across.  It  was  a  novel  but  expeditious  way  of  building 
a  corduroy  road,  and  proved  useful  to  the  builders  as  well  as  to  the 
heavier  arm  of  the  service  that  was  to  follow. 

After  marching  about  half  a  mile  to  the  eastward,  and  on  a  line  nearly 
at  right  angles  with  the  plank  road,  on  either  side  of  which  the  Confed 
erates  were  already  savagely  pushing  the  fight,  the  regiment  was  halted, 
faced  into  line  of  battle,  and  ordered  to  lie  down  just  in  front  of  a  couple 
of  batteries  that  had  taken  position  on  the  crest  of  a  low  sand  ridge,  and 
which  now  opened  a  rapid  fire  upon  the  woods  in  front. 

So  close  under  the  mouths  of  these  guns  did  some  of  the  men  lie,  that 
they  were  obliged  to  stop  their  ears  and  cover  their  faces  to  keep  from 
being  stunned  and  scorched  by  the  terrific  howl  and  fiery  breath  of  these 
fierce  bull-dogs  of  war. 

But  soon  their  full-vented  fury  was  checked  by  the  order  to  cease  fir 
ing  ;  and  the  regiment,  marching  by  the  right  flank  a  few  rods,  is  again 
faced  to  the  front  and  advanced  to  the  edge  of  a  small  stream  —  some  of 
the  right  companies  passing  over  it  —  and  again  ordered  to  lie  down. 

The  battle  was  now  raging  fiercely  all  around,  and  especially  so  as 
regards  the  position  taken  by  Colonel  Bowman's  brigade,  his  being  the 
third  and  last  line  of  battle.  Let  us  take  a  sweeping  glance  of  this  posi 
tion  and  its  immediate  surroundings,  that  the  reader  may  better  under 
stand  the  situation,  and  realize  as  best  he  can  in  imagination,  the  intro 
ductory  exercises  of  the  occasion  as  witnessed  and  participated  in  by  the 
Twelfth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 

The  sun  —  not,  alas!  of  Austerlitz  —  is  now  up,  but  the  dew-exhaling 
mists  mingling  with  the  smoke  of  battle  fill  the  air,  through  which  his 
bright  rays  penetrate  with  a  strange  and  lurid  glare. 

From  the  woods  in  front  comes  a  continuous  roll  of  musketry.  On  the 
right  and  left  the  sounds  of  deadly  conflict  come  to  our  ears  in  startling 
detonations,  now  louder  and  nigher  and  now  again  decreasing  and  reced 
ing  like  the  wind  waves  of  a  mighty  tempest.  A  few  rods  to  the  rear  a 


78  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

score  or  more  of  brass  and  iron  twelve-pounders  are,  with  deafening 
reports  sending  twenty  shells  a  minute  over  our  heads,  each  screeching 
defiance  to  the  rebel  batteries,  which,  from  the  woods  in  front  and  from 
Hazel  Grove  elevation  on  the  left,  are  as  defiantly  answering  back  and 
sending  their  bursting  shells  all  around  us. 

Between  the  little  stream,  that  smoothly  and  quietly  glides  along  this 
"  perilous  edge  of  battle,"  as  if  undisturbed  by  the  agitation  of  its  kin 
dred  elements  of  earth  and  air,  and  the  darker  line  of  the  forest,  half  a 
gunshot  beyond,  there  is  an  open  space  of  ground  ascending  gradually 
toward  the  woods,  and  thickly  covered  with  dead  sage  grass,  still  stand 
ing  stiff  and  straight  upon  its  soft  carpet  of  vernal  green,  and  through 
which  the  leaden  messengers  of  death  are  cutting  their  way  into  our 
prostrate  ranks  lying  face  to  the  ground  and  head  to  the  foe. 

Nothing  but  smoke  can  be  seen  of  the  terrible  conflict  going  on  in  the 
woods  in  advance,  but  of  its  deadly  strife  the  ear,  though  half-paralyzed 
by  our  own  artillery  close  behind,  too  plainly  tells. 

Regiments,  torn  and  shattered,  are  seen  retreating  on  the  right  and  left, 
but  some  in  Zouave  uniform  with  apparently  full  ranks  falling  back  from 
the  enemy  before  having  hardly  engaged  him.  The  other  two  regiments 
of  the  brigade  —  Eighty-fourth  and  One  Hundred  and  Tenth  Pennsylva 
nia —  are  no  longer  to  be  seen  upon  the  left,  having  advanced  obliquely 
in  that  direction  into  the  fight,  followed  by  Colonel  Bowman,  who  leaves 
the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  to  look  after  itself.* 

Along  the  open  space  in  front,  staff  officers  are  swiftly  dashing  to  and 
fro,  and  riderless  horses  running  wild  with  fear ;  while  back  across  it, 
wounded  men  in  constantly  increasing  numbers  are  coming,  and  here  and 
there  irregular  squads  —  mostly  of  blue,  but  some  in  gray  —  like  fragments 
torn  from  the  contending  lines  by  the  shock  of  battle,  are  seen  hastily 
retreating. 

On  the  right  front,  and  about  midway  between  the  brook  and  the 
woods,  lies  another  regiment,  half-hidden  in  the  tall,  dead  grass,  await 
ing  like  the  Twelfth,  the  momentarily  expected  order  to  advance. 

Such,  briefly  sketched,  was  the  position  and  situation  of  the  regiment 
on  the  early  morning  of  the  third  day  of  May,  1863. 

That  it  was  not  a  very  pleasant  or  encouraging  one,  the  reader  and 
writer  will  probably  agree.  It  was  certainly  a  realistic  dramatization  of 
the  first  part  of  Dante's  Inferno,  and  such  as  none  who  were  there  would 
care  to  witness  or  listen  to  again. 

Is  it  any  wonder  that  some,  who  were  not  too  anxious  for  their  own 
safety  to  think  of  anything  else,  should  have  asked  of  themselves  ques 
tions  like  these  :  "  Was  it  to  avoid  such  a  scene  as  this,  that  He,  who 
knew  and  saw  all  from  the  beginning  to  the  end,  said  '  resist  not  evil  ? '  ' 
"Must  reason  serve  when  passion  rules;  and  yet  reason,  a  Godlike 
attribute  of  man  that  raises  him  above,  and  contradistinguishes  him  from 

*See  Colonel  Hall's  letter  and  Colonel  Bowman's  report,  post. 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  79 

the  brute?"      And  more   natural,  if  less  philosophical:    "  What  -would 
they  think  at  home  if  they  could  see  us  now?" 

How  long  the  regiment  lay  in  this  passive  but  trying  position,  obliged 
to  receive  but  unable  to  return  the  enemy's  fire,  no  one  can  tell  or  will 
ever  know.  To  some  it  seemed  not  more  than  ten  minutes,  and  to  others 
an  hour ;  probably  half-way  between  the  two  extremes  would  not  be  far 
from  the  correct  time.  It  was,  at  any  rate,  long  enough  to  make  many 
vacant  places  in  the  ranks  of  three  or  four  of  the  companies. 

Charles  M.  Oilman,  of  Company  A;  Winsor  P.  Huntress,  of  Company 
B  ;  and  Henry  R.  Kidder,  of  Company  D,  were  all  struck  in  the  head  by 
musket  balls  and  instantly  killed.  William  B.  Worth,  of  Company  G, 
was  shot  in  the  side  or  breast,  and  died  an  hour  afterward  in  the  log 
house  near  by,  while  others  were  more  or  less  severely  wounded. 

A  staff  officer  now  rides  up  to  Colonel  Potter,  and  informs  him  that  the 
regiment  at  the  right  front  —  regard  for  the  State  that  sent  it  out,  as  well 
as  for  its  colonel  and  a  few  of  its  officers  and  men,  require  that  its  name 
be  not  given  —  is  to  advance  first,  and  his  to  follow  and  support  it.  A 
few  moments  later,  and  the  long  and  loud  command  of  attention  is  heard 
from  the  colonel  of  that  regiment,  as  he  rises  from  the  ground,  but  only  a 
few  of  his  officers  and  men  are  seen  to  obey  his  order  by  showing  their 
heads  above  the  grass ;  and  despite  threats,  curses,  and  kicks,  with 
sword-pointed  pricks,  and  broadside  slaps,  the  men  do  not  and  will  not 
move  forward,  or  even  rise  from  the  ground,  choosing  to  die  like  cowards 
where  they  lay,  rather  than  to  stand  up  and  fight  like  men. 

Colonel  Potter,  seeing  the  vain  attempt  of  getting  the  regiment  that  he 
was  to  follow  started,  called  upon  his  own  ;  and  all,  save  the  dead  and 
dying,  immediately  arose  and  moved  forward  to  the  edge  of  the  woods, 
along  which  a  few  trees  had  been  felled  the  night  before  as  a  slight  pro 
tection  from  the  enemy's  fire. 

Here  a  halt  was  ordered,  the  colonel  not  caring  to  advance  further,  hav 
ing  already  exceeded  his  instructions,  without  further  orders.  He  had  not 
long  to  wait ;  for  scarcely  had  the  wounded  who  had  been  disabled  on 
the  advance  from  the  brook  been  sent  to  the  rear,  before  another  order 
was  delivered  by  the  same  officer  who  brought  the  last  —  both  coming 
direct  from  General  Whipple  —  which,  considering  its  import  and  conse 
quences,  is  here  given  in  full :  "  You  are  ordered,  Colonel  Potter,  to  im 
mediately  advance  your  regiment  into  the  woods,  engage  the  enemy 
there,  and  hold  him  in  check  as  long  as  possible ,"  or,  as  some  remember 
it,  "  until  the  last  man  falls  " 

Such  an  order,  at  such  a  time  and  place,  was  enough  to  make  the  stout 
est  heart  quail ;  for  obedience  to  it  meant  that  upon  one  single  regiment  of 
less  than  six  hundred  officers  and  men,  now  for  the  first  time  under  mus 
ketry  fire,  must  soon  fall  the  whole  weight  of  at  least  three  times  their 
number  of  the  powder-stained  veterans  of  "  Stonewall "  Jackson,  whose 
fall  the  night  before  they  had  sworn  to  avenge,  and  who  were,  at  that 


80  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

very  moment,  pressing  eagerly  and  exultingly  forward  to  complete  a  vic 
tory  which  they  confidently  and  correctly  believed  was  already  within 
their  grasp. 

The  reader  will  notice  that  the  order  was  not  to  advance  and  drive  the 
enemy  from  the  woods.  Oh,  no  !  not  that;  for  General  Whipple  did  not 
need  his  field-glass,  as  he  stood  upon  the  top  of  the  little  hill  in  the  rear 
of  his  batteries,  to  see  how  wide  the  breach  that  the  Twelfth  was  now  left 
alone  to  fill.  But  it  must  be  filled,  or  his  division  would  soon  be  cut  in 
twain,  and  all  his  batteries,  in  the  enemy's  possession  or  flying  from  the 
field.  And  hence  the  emphasis  that  this  staff  officer  gave  to  the  last  and 
most  important  part  of  the  order.  "Hold  in  check"  were  the  words, 
and  they  implied  all,  and  more,  than  could  be  expected  from  any  single 
regiment,  for  any  length  of  time.  But  he  knew  Colonel  Potter  and  his 
brave  and  able  assistant  Colonel  Marsh,  both  of  whom  had  fought  with 
him  in  Mexico ;  and  he  knew  that  they  led  men  who  were  the  descend 
ants  of  the  heroes  of  Bunker  Hill  and  Bennington,  and  hoped  that  to 
such  officers  and  men  the  words  "as  long  as  possible,"  or,  "until  the 
last  man  falls"  might  not  be  in  vain,  and  he  was  not  disappointed. 

Here,  so  far  as  can  be  seen  through  the  smoke  of  the  conflict,  the 
Twelfth  stands  isolated  and  alone  ;  for  even  the  cowardly  skulks,  who 
disgraced  the  flags  of  both  their  State  and  country,  have  disappeared  to 
the  flank  or  rear  to  save  their  craven  hearts  from  the  fate  that  awaited 
them  in  front. 

Whipple's  batteries,  on  the  sand  hill  behind,  are  still  being  served  as 
rapidly  as  the  over-heated  guns  will  permit,  and  the  battle  is  yet  raging 
unabated  on  the  right  and  left,  where  our  line  is  evidently  being  driven 
slowly  but  surely  back. 

Directly  in  front  there  is  a  lull,  portentous  of  the  fury  of  the  quick 
recurring  blast,  whose  coming  is  being  heralded  by  that  savage-like 
screech  so  well  known  to  every  old  soldier  as  the  "  rebel  yell." 

With  nothing  confronting  them,  they  are  cheering  at  their  success  and 
are  rushing  onward  to  meet  and  defeat  the  next  Yankee  line  that  dare 
oppose  them.  Indeed,  from  the  very  start,  after  reaching  the  woods,  it 
was  for  the  Twelfth  a  forlorn  hope. 

"  Forward,"  comes  the  quick  and  stern  command  from  Colonel  Potter, 
as  he  jumps  forward  himself  from  the  top  of  the  breastworks  upon  which 
he  had  been  standing  to  get  a  better  view  of  the  ground  before  him. 

The  right  and  centre  at  once  obey,  but  on  the  extreme  left  the  line 
officers  not  hearing,  or  failing  to  repeat  the  order,  there  was  a  slight  delay 
in  the  starting  of  that  wing,  which  the  sergeant-major  perceiving,  but 
mistaking  the  cause,  stepped  to  the  front  of  the  left  company  and  ex 
claimed  "Forward,  forward  is  the  order;  now  is  the  time  to  show  our 
selves  men." 

But  the  men  no  less  than  the  officers  understood  and  realized  their 
duties  and  dangers,  and  were  as  ready  and  willing  to  meet  them. 


Nciv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  Si 

Observing  that  he  was  ascending  quite  an  elevation  that  grew  steeper 
as  he  advanced,  and  wishing  to  reach  its  height  before  the  enemy,  Colo 
nel  Potter  gives  the  order  to  "  double  quick,"  and  in  less  time  than  it 
can  be  written  the  regiment  gained  the  crest,  and  sent  a  volley  of  "  buck 
and  ball,"  flanked  by  rifle  Minies,  into  the  close  advancing  lines  of  their 
country's  foes. 

No  sooner  did  Colonel  Potter,  who  had  gallantly  led  his  command 
from  the  time  it  entered  the  woods,  discover  the  enemy's  near  approach, 
than,  facing  about,  he  halted  the  regiment,  more  by  the  motion  of  his 
extended  arms  than  verbal  order,  and,  pointing  with  his  sword  to  the  line 
of  "butternut  and  gray,"  said,  "There  the  devils  are,  give  them  hell." 
The  almost  simultaneous  volley  that  instantly  followed  must  have  sharply 
reminded  some  of  them  that  the  battle-field  is  about  as  near  that  woful 
place  as  any  other  spot  to  be  found  on  this  mundane  sphere. 

The  right  companies  had  no  sooner  given  their  first  volley  to  the  front 
than  their  attention  is  directed  to  quite  a  large  battalion  of  the  enemy 
marching  obliquely  past  them,  as  if  intending  to  outflank  their  position 
and  attack  them  in  reverse.  Companies  C,  K,  and  B  half  face  to  the 
right  and  open  a  well  directed  fire  upon  their  flank.  At  the  same  time 
one  of  our  batteries,  on  or  near  the  plank  road,  gave  them  such  a  grape 
and  canister  reminder  of  their  temerity,  that  they  went  back  over  the 
hill  much  quicker  than  they  came. 

The  musketry  duel,  that  now  ensued  between  the  "New  Hampshire 
Mountaineers  "  and  the  Virginia  Chivalry  opposed  to  them,  was  one  of 
the  most  desperate  and  destructive,  for  the  time  and  number  engaged, 
that  ever  was  fought  on  any  battle-field  of  the  war.  It  was  the  fiery  im 
petuosity  of  the  South  against  the  granite  endurance  of  the  North,  never, 
on  a  small  scale,  better  illustrated. 

Though  not  quite  the  irresistible  meeting  the  immovable,  it  was  a 
most  desperate  and  determined  "/  will"  against  an  equally  determined 
and  more  stubborn  "you  2uont" 

The  men  began  to  fall  as  soon  as  they  began  to  fire,  the  line  so  rapidly 
thinning  that,  within  one  half-hour,  fully  one  third  of  the  regiment  were 
killed  or  wounded. 

Soon  the  tall,  commanding  form  of  Major  Savage  is  no  longer  to  be 
seen  standing  firm  and  resolute  in  the  midst  of  the  battle,  for  a  bullet  has 
pierced  his  lower  jaw,  compelling  him  to  leave  the  field  with  a  ghastly 
wound.  His  brother,  Captain  Savage,  of  Company  A,  is  breathing  his 
last  beside  the  stream  in  the  rear  to  which  he  has  been  carried.  Captain 
Keyes  lies  dead  on  the  battle-line,  where  he  fell  while  defiantly  waving 
his  sword  in  the  face  of  the  foe.  Captain  Durgin  has  been  shot  through 
the  body  and  lies  dying,  as  supposed,  at  the  foot  of  a  tree  ;  and  Lieuten 
ant  Cram,  just  promoted  from  the  ranks,  is  lying  lifeless  among  his  dead 
comrades,  while  Captain  May,  disabled  at  the  edge  of  the  woods,  and 


82  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

other  line  officers  have  been  more  or  less  seriously  wounded,  and  every 
company  has  been  two  or  three  times  decimated  in  its  rank  and  file. 

Yet  the  battle,  so  desperately  begun,  goes  bravely  on,  the  fire  of  the 
enemy  seemingly  increasing  as  that  of  the  regiment  diminishes. 

About  this  time  there  was  an  attempt  of  about  fifty  of  the  enemy  to 
make  a  charge  upon  our  centre-  and  capture  the  colors.  But  it  was  only 
an  attempt,  for  part  of  the  number  turned  back,  when  little  more  than 
well  started,  and  the  bravely  foolish  few  who  kept  on,  were  most  all  cut 
down  by  the  converging  fire  of  the  right  and  left  centre  companies. 

Directly  following  this,  as  if  maddened  by  their  failure  to  either  drive 
or  capture,  the  storm  of  leaden  hail  that  poured  into  the  now  fast  thin 
ning  ranks  of  the  regiment  seemed  like  a  withering  blast  that  must 
soon  destroy  all  opposition. 

So  hot  was  the  fire  upon  the  centre,  that  the  color  bearers  were  both 
wounded,  and  a  few  of  the  men  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  colors  gave 
back  a  little,  seeing  which,  Colonel  Potter  sprang  forward  and  urged 
his  men  to  stand  firm  and  hold  their  line  good.  There  was  no  attempt 
to  retreat  or  purpose  to  yield  any  ground  to  the  enemy,  for  every  man 
standing,  except  the  wounded,  still  faced  the  foe,  but  it  was  like  the 
tough  oak  in  the  tempest  blast,  which  bends  but  does  not  break. 

A  moment  later  and  Colonel  Potter  himself  was  wounded  and  carried 
from  the  field,  followed  bv  Sergeant  McDufFee,  who,  though  severely 
wounded,  still  held  on  fast  to  his  standard  —  the  state  colors  —  that  up 
to  this  time  he  had  bravely  up-borne,  a  part  of  the  time  in  advance  of 
the  line. 

The  national  colors  are  still  waving  defiantly  in  their  place  on  the 
battle-line,  but  the  stout  and  brave-hearted  Sergeant  Tasker  can  no  longer 
bear  them,  for  he  has  been  disabled  by  a  severe  wound. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Marsh,  who  has  been  everywhere  present  on  the 
right  wing  of  the  regiment  directing  the  fire  and  praising  the  steady, 
veteran-like  action  of  the  men,  receives  a  bullet  in  his  leg  just  after  the 
colonel  was  disabled  by  a  similar  wound,  and  is  obliged  to  leave  the 
field. 

Captains  Lang,  Barker,  and  Shackford,  all  nobly  worthy  to  command 
the  heroic  fighters  of  their  respective  companies,  are  no  longer  permitted, 
by  reason  of  wounds,  to  lead  them;  while  Lieutenants  Smith,  Huntoon, 
Edgerly,  Tilton,  Milliken,  Sargent,  Heath,  Fernal,  and  Bedee  have  all 
received  blood-signed  and  bullet-sealed  passes  to  the  rear,  but  the  last 
named  refuses  to  use  his  for  that  purpose,  preferring  to  stay  and  fight 
with  the  few  brave  men  left  on  the  field,  some  of  whom,  like  himself,  are 
bleeding  from  their  wounds. 

Two  first,  and  three  or  four  second  lieutenants  —  among  whom  are  Mor- 
rill,  French,  and  Dunn,  not  already  mentioned  —  are  the  only  commissioned 
officers  now  left  alive  on  the  field ;  and  of  the  five  and  one  half  hundred 
of  the  rank  and  file  that  opened  fire  upon  the  enemy  an  hour  and  a  half 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  83 

ago,  not  more  than  one  fourth  remain  to  hold  the  ground  upon  which  are 
lying  so  many  of  their  dead  and  wounded  comrades. 

But  still  the  fight  goes  on,  and  the  steel-nerved  and  iron-hearted  men 
from  New  Hampshire  are  proving  about  as  firm  and  reliable,  and  making 
themselves  a  name  as  enduring  as  the  granite  of  their  native  hills. 

But  the  terrible  experience  of  the  last  hour  and  a  half  has  taught  them 
a  lesson  that  each  one  is  now  practicing ;  for  every  man  has  his  tree 
behind  which  he  is  fighting,  though  most  of  the  trees  are  too  small  to 
afford  but  a  partial  protection  from  the  rebel  bullets. 

Some  have  already  used  their  last  cartridge,  and  are  getting  more  from 
the  cartridge-boxes  of  the  dead.  Many  of  the  muskets  have  become 
useless  and  been  discarded  for  others  picked  up  from  the  ground,  or 
taken  from  the  hands  of  the  wounded,  while  those  remaining  whole  have 
become  so  foul  that  the  cartridges  can  only  be  driven  down  their  barrels 
by  punching  the  ramrods  against  a  tree. 

From  their  advance  into  the  woods  up  to  this  time  the  unflinching 
heroes  of  the  Twelfth  have  breasted  the  battle-storm  alone,  no  other  regi 
ment  having  been  seen  that  wore  the  blue,  except  one  belonging  to 
another  brigade,  that  had  been  lying  in  the  edge  of  the  woods,  some 
distance  to  the  right  and  rear,  and  which  arose  and  gallantly  charged  the 
flanking  column  of  the  enemy,  before  referred  to,  just  after  its  discom 
fiture  from  the  oblique  fire  of  the  Twelfth  and  the  battery  that  opened 
upon  it,  capturing  one  of  the  rebel  battle-flags,  and  then  fell  back  over 
the  brow  of  the  hill  and  was  seen  no  more. 

But  now,  or  about  this  time,  a  Zouave  regiment  appears  on  the  left  and 
the  remaining  braves  of  the  Twelfth,  who  have  only  been  saved  so  long 
by  fighting  in  Indian  style,  hope  for  such  active  cooperation  as  will  at 
least  engage  the  attention  of  the  foe  in  front  and  detract  somewhat  his 
concentrated  fire  upon  themselves.  But  their  hope  is  vain,  for  as  seen  at 
the  opening  of  the  battle,  there  was  more  show  than  fight  in  most  of  the 
Zouave  troops.  No  sooner  do  they  get  up  near  the  level  range  of  flying 
lead,  than  they  flatten  out  upon  the  ground,  under  cover  of  the  brow  of  the 
hill,  where  they  remain  a  few  minutes,  and  then  rising  up  and  discharging 
one  volley  —  their  bullets  going  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  above  the  heads  of  the 
rebels  —  they  retreat,  as  their  historian  will  probably  say,  quickly,  but  in 
good  order  to  avoid  capture.  And  such  a  statement,  considering  the 
situation,  ought  not,  perhaps,  to  be  considered  altogether  inexcusable, 
although  it  would  be  doing  much  less  violence  to  the  truth  to  substitute 
the  word  fighting  in  the  place  of  "capture"  ;  for  there  was  quite  as  good 
a  chance  to  practice  the  one  at  the  risk  of  the  other,  as  when  the  Twelfth 
was  ordered  in,  and  found  not  even  the  fragment  of  a  regiment  engaged 
with  the  enemy  or  anywhere  in  sight. 

The  situation  of  what  remained  of  the  regiment  had  now  become  des 
perately  critical  and  hazardous  —  a  mere  handful  of  men  trying  to  fill 
and  hold  a  wide  breach  which  must  soon  be  closed  up  by  the  enemy. 


84  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

f^It  is  only  a  question  of  a  few  swift-flying  moments.  Yet  more  swiftly 
from  the  hot-barreled  muskets  of  three  or  four  score  men,  behind  as  many 
bullet-scarred  and  shell-splintered  trees,  round  ball,  buck-shot,  and  Minie- 
bullets  are  still  being  hurled  against  the  foe.* 

About  this  time  Lieutenant  Morrill,  of  Company  D,  seeing  that  but  a  score 
or  two  of  men  remained,  and  thinking  doubtless  that  further  resistance 
would  be  more  foolish  than  brave,  informed  Lieutenant  Bedee,  command 
ing  Company  G,  that  he  was  the  ranking  officer  left  on  the  field,  and  that 
retreat  or  capture  seemed  the  only  alternative. 

This  officer,  who  had  been  too  earnest  and  active  in  the  fight  to  notice 
before  that  most  all  the  officers  were  killed  or  wounded,  and  he  in 
command  of  what  was  left  of  the  regiment,  at  once  aroused  himself 
to  a  full  sense  of  the  responsibility  so  unexpectedly  thrown  upon  him. 
But  retreat  being  to  him  a  better  word  for  the  timid  than  the  brave,  and 
remembering  that  the  order  to  Colonel  Potter  was  to  hold  the  ground  to 
the  last  moment,  determined  to  continue  the  fight  while  he  took  a  swift 
survey  of  the  field,  to  see  if  that  moment  had  actually  arrived. 

But  fearing,  from  the  way  the  bullets  were  still  flying,  that  unless 
something  was  at  once  done  there  would  be  none  left  for  either  capture 
or  retreat,  he  gave  the  command,  "  Lay  down,"  wisely  intending  to  save 
his  men  while  he  decided  what  to  do.  But  Sergeant-Major  Bartlett,  who 
had  been  watching  the  enemy's  movements,  knowing  that  to  obey  the 
order  would  be  but  saving  the  few  fortunate  enough  to  be  alive,  for 
lingering  deaths  from  starvation  in  rebel  prisons,  immediately  sprang  to 
the  side  of  Lieutenant  Bedee  and  commenced  to  remonstrate.  But 
scarcely  had  he  uttered  a  word  before  the  latter,  looking  in  the  direction 
indicated  by  the  sergeant's  finger,  where  a  force  of  the  enemy  could  be 
plainly  seen  marching  close  around  their  left,  instantly  straightened  up 
from  his  slightly  bent  position  (as  he  stooped  to  listen  to  the  sergeant  who 
was  shorter  and  stood  lower),  swung  his  sword  around  and  high  above  his 
head,  and,  with  a  voice  that  must  have  been  heard,  if  not  understood,  by 
the  rebels  themselves,  gave  this  order  :  "  RALLY  'round  the  flag,  boys,  and 
get  OUT  of  this." 

Thinking,  by  the  first  part  of  the  order,  that  the  lieutenant  could  see  one 
of  the  flags  somewhere  there  was  a  moment's  delay  in  obeying  the  last 
and  much  more  important  part.  But  it  was  only  a  moment,  or  nearer  the 
sixtieth  part  of  one,  before  every  man  was  using  all  the  reserve  strength 
left  in  him  to  "get  out"  in  the  quickest  possible  time. 

Someone  has  said,  who  pretended  to  know,  as  being  present,  that  the 
little  squad  left  of  the  regiment  retreated  as  coolly  and  deliberately  as 
they  fought ;  that  they  rallied  around  and  formed  a  line  on  the  colors, 
both  in  the  centre,  and  marched  out  of  the  woods  as  slowly  and  in  as 
good  order  as  they  marched  in.  This  all  sounds  and  reads  well  enough, 

*  Some  of  the  rebels  said  after  the  battle,  that  It  was  the  first  time  they  ever  knew  grape  and  can 
ister  used  by  infantry. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  85 

but  nothing  could  be  further  from  the  truth.  First,  there  were  no  colors 
in  sight  to  rally  round,  and  second,  instead  of  "  slowly"  and  in  "  good 
order,"  it  was  every  one  for  himself,  and  the  Devil,  or  one  of  his 
hell-pens  of  the  South,  for  the  hindermost. 

How  the  state  colors  were  saved  by  their  gallant  bearer  has  already 
been  related,  and  how  the  stars  and  stripes  were  saved  from  capture  will 
be  found  recorded  in  the  history  of  the  colors. 

From  the  quick  change  of  orders,  and  the  vehement  and  explosive  em 
phasis  that  Lieutenant  Bedee  put  upon  the  word  "out"  in  his  last  one, 
the  men  at  once  understood  that  retreat  had  been  already  too  long  de 
layed,  and  that  it  was  their  legs  and  not  their  muskets  that  must  now  save 
them.  But  they  did  not  then  know  that  the  door  to  the  narrow  and  only 
avenue  of  escape  was  swiftly  swinging  to  its  close. 

Ten  minutes  later  and  it  would  have  been  shut  and  bolted,  and  every 
one  captured  or  shot. 

The  enemy,  on  either  side,  was  far  beyond  the  position  held  by  the 
Twelfth  before  that  position  was  abandoned.  On  the  right,  he  had  ad 
vanced  along  the  plank  road,  near  which  the  regiment  fought,  more  than 
half  a  mile  to  its  rear,  captured  a  part  of  a  battery  on  Fairview,  and 
was  already  engaging  the  rallying  line  of  the  Third  Corps  near  the  Chan 
cellor  House  ;  while  on  the  left,  the  rebel  force  had  taken  and  held  the 
whole  of  the  ground  from  Hazel  Grove,  where  the  fight  first  commenced 
in  the  morning,  to  the  western  slope  of  the  Chancellorsville  plateau. 

Thus  it  can  be  seen,  as  will  be  proved  by  the  best  authority,  that  the 
Twelfth  for  some  time  had  been  fighting  and  desperately  trying  to  hold 
its  ground  in  the  very  midst  of  the  enemy  ;  that  it  had  fought  for  at  least 
two  hours,  and  held  in  check  for  that  time  a  much  larger  force  of  the 
enemy,  without  assistance  or  support  worthy  of  mention,  and,  except  for 
a  few  minutes,  single  handed  and  alone;  and  that  at  the  time  of  its 
retreat  it  was  over  half  a  mile  in  advance  of  the  nearest  organized  Union 
force,  small  or  great,  in  the  corps,  or  anywhere  in  that  part  of  the  field.* 

It  should  be  stated  here  that,  of  the  fifty  men  and  officers  that  were 
taken  prisoners  in  this  battle,  nearly  all  had  been  wounded  and  were 
captured  as  far  back  as  the  brook  and  sand  hill  directly  in  the  rear  of 
where  the  regiment  was  then  fighting. 

On  the  retreat,  after  crossing  the  brook,  most  of  the  scattered  squad 
obliqued  a  little  to  the  right  in  order  to  flank  the  steepest  part  of  the,  hill, 
and  came  very  near  running  directly  into  the  rebel  lines ;  a  sharp  turn 
and  a  favoring  angle  of  elevation  saving  many  of  them  from  the  leveled 
rifles  of  the  waiting  rebels,  who  demanded  their  surrender. 

Though  thus  narrowly  escaping  capture  or  death,  their  course  was  the 
best  left  them,  for  had  they  taken  a  direct  one,  many  more  would 
have  been  shot  down  before  reaching  the  top  of  the  hill.  That  any  of 
the  few  who  took  the  latter  course  lived  to  reach  the  Chancellor  House  is 
little  less  than  a  miracle. 

*See  General  Sickles's  statement  and  Captain  Hall's  letter  at  the  end  of  this  chapter. 


86  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

That  the  national  colors  of  the  regiment,  that  went  down  with  him  who 
bore  them,  were  not  captured  by  the  exultant  and  sanguine  victors  of  the 
field,  pressing  close  behind,  ere  they  ever  safely  scaled  the  hill-top,  was 
certainly  providential. 

When  the  nearly  exhausted  few  —  not  more  than  twenty-five  or  thirty 
at  the  most — emerged  from  the  ravine  where  they  last  encountered  the 
foe,  and  showed  their  blue  uniforms  on  the  lower  side  of  Fairview,  the 
quick  eye  of  General  Sickles,  who  was  watching  the  swift  approaching 
lines  of  gray,  caught  sight  of  them,  and  spurring  his  horse  to  the  front 
of  his  guns,  double  shotted  with  grape  and  canister,  shouted  out  in  frantic 
tones  to  his  gunners  about  to  pull  the  lanyards:  "  Hold  on  there;  hold 
yourjire;  those  are  my  men  in  front!" 

The  foremost  line  of  the  enemy  —  if  line  it  could  be  called,  for  they 
came  out  of  the  woods  in  squads  so  eager  were  they  in  their  pursuit  — 
had  reached  the  top  of  the  hill,  in  plain  sight  of  the  reserve  line  of  the 
Third  Corps,  when  the  small  remnant  of  blue  suddenly  came  into  view 
but  little  ahead  of  their  pursuers,  and  taking  a  diagonal  course  that 
brought  them  directly  between  the  Confederate  advance  and  a  part  of 
Sickles's  artillery  that  in  a  moment  more  would  have  opened,  as  a  few 
minutes  later  it  did,  and  swept  the  field. 

Thus  by  the  quick  eye  and  timely  action  of  their  gallant  corps  com 
mander,  the  bullet-proof  survivors  of  the  last  regiment  of  that  corps  to 
leave  the  field  were  rescued  from  final  destruction  about  to  burst  from  the 
muzzles  of  their  own  guns. 

Seeing  the  reception  awaiting  them  at  the  Chancellor  House,  near 
which  General  Sickles  had  placed  his  artillery,  the  rebels  stopped  to  close 
up  and  reform  their  lines. 

In  the  mean  time  Lieutenant  Bedee,  getting  himself  and  men  into  some 
thing  of  the  shape  of  leader  and  led,  with  Second  Lieutenants  French 
and  Dunn  and  his  lieutenant-colonel  and  major,  had  reached  the  reserve 
line  and  reported  to  General  Sickles  himself,  who,  amid  the  cheers  of  his 
men,  rode  forward  to  meet  him. 

"  What  regiment,  and  -where1  s  the  rest  of  it  ?" 

"  Twelfth  New  Hampshire,  and  here's  what's  left  of  it" 

"  Fall  in,  my  brave  men,  and  help  us  hold  this  line." 

"  But  we're  all  out  of  ammunition,  General" 

"  Pass  to  the  rear  then,  quick,  and  give  my  guns  a  chance.'1'' 

A  minute  or  two  later  and  the  rescued  few  were  seeking  a  safe  spot  to 
rest  in  the  woods  in  the  rear,  while  our  artillery  was  cutting  wide  gaps 
through  the  enemy's  lines  in  the  opposite  direction. 

The  Third  Corps,  which  from  early  morn  had  borne  the  brunt  of  the 
fight,  and  been  pushed  slowly  back,  until  despairing  of  any  assistance,  it 
had  here  taken  its  last  stand,  its  brave  commander  plainly  seeing  that  his 
further  retreat  was  General  Hooker's  defeat,  for  the  Federal  line  would  be 
severed  at  the  centre. 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  87 

He  had  called  and  called,  but  all  in  vain,  for  reinforcements  ;  and  even 
then  a  single  division  from  the  First  or  Fifth  Corps,  impatiently  waiting 
within  quick  supporting  distance  for  the  long  expected  order  to  move  for 
ward  to  the  relief  of  their  comrades,  would  have  changed  the  disastrous 
opening  of  the  day  into  a  glorious  victory  before  its  close. 

But  the  decisive  hour  came  and  went,  and  with  it  the  last  chance  to 
retrieve  the  sad  fortune  of  that  sad  Sabbath  service  to  the  God  of  battles 
and  His  holy  cause  of  freedom. 

General  Hooker,  disabled  by  a  shell,  could  no  longer  direct  nor  con 
trol  ;  General  Couch,  second  in  command,  did  not  know,  it  seems,  what 
to  do,  nor  have  the  courage  to  do  what  he  knew  ;  and  General  Mead,  at 
the  vital  moment,  while  Hooker  was  still  unable  to  act  and  Couch  could 
not  be  found,  though  requested  by  his  superiors  and  earnestly  solicited  by 
his  subordinates,  dare  not  take  the  responsibility,  and  refused  even  to  send 
a  single  regiment  from  his  own  command  to  the  support  of  General 
Sickles,  whom  he  well  knew  was  hard  pressed  and  could  not  longer  hold 
his  important  position. 

"Thus  all  in  vain  are  thousands  slain, 
For  want  of  a  little  nerve  and  brain." 

General  Doubleday  says  :  "  The  Third  Corps  left  their  last  position 
at  Chancellorsville  slowly  and  sullenly.  *  *  *  A  single  division 
thrown  in  at  this  time  would  have  retrieved  the  fortunes  of  the  day."* 

From  what  has  already  been  written,  it  will  be  seen  that  when  General 
Sickles  retreated  back  to  his  last  position,  near  the  Chancellor  House, 
he  left  one  of  his  regiments,  still  stubbornly  fighting  the  enemy  in  the 
woods,  more  than  half  a  mile  in  front  of  his  new  line  of  defense ;  and, 
as  will  be  seen  hereafter,  that  neither  he  nor  either  of  its  own  division  and 
brigade  commanders  knew  where  it  was,  or  what  had  become  of  it. 

Why  this  regiment,  whose  actual  part  and  place  in  the  battle  of  Chan 
cellorsville  is  but  little  better  known  now  than  then,  so  far  as  any  official 
report  of  its  heroic  acts  has  ever  been  made,  was  thus  left  to  fight  out  its 
own  fate,  without  others  to  support  or  orders  to  retreat,  is  one  of  the  many 
army  blunders,  softly  called  oversights,  the  cause  of  which  thorough  in 
vestigation  would  discover  not  far  from  the  wall-tent  entrance  of  official 
incompetency. 

One,  who  had  the  best  mind  and  means  to  know  whereof  he  affirmed, 
has  said,  "  It  was  because  the  d n  staff  officers  didn't  know  any 
thing."  But,  whoever  was  responsible,  field  commanders  or  their  staff, 
the  consequences  were  none  the  less  lamentable,  and  many  brave  men  of 
the  Twelfth  on  this  day,  like  scores  of  thousands  during  the  war,  were 
needlessly  sacrificed. 

And  yet  there  are,  perhaps,  better  reasons  to  pity  than  to  blame  ;  for  it 
is  only  those  rare  intellectual  faculties,  that  are  still  more  rarely  found 

*  See  Scribner's  "  Campaign  of  the  War,"  pages  50-55. 


History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

united  in  the  same  subcranium  organization,  that  can  make  a  great 
general. 

And  of  the  thousands  of  subordinate  officers  necessary  to  the  make-up 
of  a  great  army,  there  are  comparatively  few  who  are  cool  and  collected 
enough  to  perceive  their  duty,  and  brave  enough  to  perform  it  on  the  field 
of  battle. 

Scarcely  had  Lieutenant  Bedee  taken  his  little  command  through  the 
line  before  he  was  hit  in  the  head  by  a  piece  of  shell,  which  crazed  him 
for  a  time,  and  Lieutenant  French,  wearing  straps  without  a  single  bar, 
had  now  the  honor  of  commanding  the  regiment. 

From  colonel  to  a  second  lieutenant,  twenty-eight  officers  reduced  to 
two,  and  only  about  a  score  left  together  out  of  more  than  five  hundred 
and  fifty  enlisted  men  that  went  into  the  fight,  is  a  sad  but  truthful  pen 
picture  of  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  Regiment  as  it  fell  back  beyond 
the  reach  of  rebel  bullets  at  Chancellorsville. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

CHANCELLORSVILLE. 

(CONCLUDED.) 

The  battle  was  now  nearly  over,  and  yet  the  day  was  not  half  spent. 
Wellington  at  Waterloo,  when  it  seemed,  as  the  sun  was  going  down,  that 
he  could  but  little  longer  withstand  the  terrible  assaults  of  Napoleon's 
victorious  legions  without  immediate  assistance,  is  said  to  have  prayed  for 
Blucher  or  night. 

Hooker  needed  neither  reinforcements  to  advance,  nor  darkness  to  cover 
his  retreat,  for  thirty-five  thousand  fresh  troops  stood  waiting  at  his  elbow. 
Why  he  did  not  use  them  will  be  considered  later  in  this  chapter. 

The  Confederates  had  "  fought  like  devils,''  but  the  very  desperation  of 
their  onslaught  had  well  nigh  exhausted  them,  and  but  little  more  than 
the  momentum  of  the  crushing  and  almost  resistless  battle-ball  hurled  by 
them  with  such  force  earlier  in  the  day,  was  left  to  complete  the  victory. 

But  the  Federal  troops  had  been  as  stubborn  to  resist  as  the  Confeder 
ates  had  been  impetuous  to  attack,  and  even  more  so  in  some  parts  of  the 
field.  The  Third  Corps  held  its  ground  for  more  than  three  hours  against 
superior  numbers  on  its  front  and  flank,  and  exposed,  part  of  the  time,  to 
an  enfilading  fire  from  the  enemy's  guns  at  Hazel  Grove  ;  retreating  at 
last,  as  we  have  seen,  "  slowly  and  in  good  order,"  and  wanting  but  little 
support  to  have  held  their  position  to  the  last. 

Had  the  enemy  followed  up  his  advantage  with  the  same  boldness  and 
energy  that  he  showed  and  exercised  in  gaining  it,  the  effect  might  have 
been  a  complete  rout  of  the  Union  forces,  and  the  result  much  more  dis 
astrous  than  it  was. 

That  General  Lee  did  not  push  his  advantage  Sunday  afternoon  evinced 
quite  unmistakably  that  his  best  foot  had  been  put  forward  at  the  start, 
and  that  the  other  was  getting  lame  and  weary.  That  he  was  losing 
strength  much  faster  than  he  was  gaining  ground  was  apparent  to  every 
corps  commander  on  the  field. 

It  has  frequently  been  said  by  ex-Confederate  soldiers  who  were  there, 
and  nearly  always  referred  to  by  them  when  speaking  or  writing  of  this 
battle,  that  the  Yankees  fought  more  determinedly  at  Chancellorsville 
than  in  any  other  battle  where  they  ever  had  the  honor  of  exchanging 
compliments  with  them.  And  this  is  undoubtedly  true,  for  in  no  other 


90  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

battle  of  the  East  did  the  Union  troops  have  so  much  confidence  in  their 
leader  or  so  strong  a  hope  of  winning  a  complete  and  decisive  victory. 

But  however  good  their  courage  and  strength,  there  were  some  regi 
ments  that,  like  the  Twelfth,  had  long  breasted  the  storm  at  the  front, 
sadlv  wanting  now  that  the  battle  for  them  was  over,  in  the  last  named 
element  of  combativeness.  The  courage  of  the  few  brave  "  Moun 
taineers"  who  had  escaped  the  terrrible  carnage  of  the  field,  though 
somewhat  diminished,  was  still  sufficient  again  to  dare,  but  their  strength 
to  do  was  almost  gone. 

No  one  who  has  never  been  there  himself  can  have  any  adequate  idea 
how  exhaustive  to  the  vital  forces  is  the  struggle  for  victory  between  con 
tending  forces  on  the  field  of  battle.  The  muscular  power  is  usually 
severely  taxed  by  long  and  forced  marches,  and  want  of  sleep  and  rest, 
before  reaching  the  field  of  conflict ;  and  then  comes  the  great  strain  upon 
the  nerves,  without  the  aid  of  which  all  the  muscles  are  but  inert  weight 
to  cumber  instead  of  aid.  So  that  when  the  excitement  of  the  battle  is 
over,  and  the  nerves  relax,  the  combatant  finds  himself  almost  as  weak 
and  fatigued  as  if  he  had  just  recovered  from  a  long  sickness. 

Such  was  the  condition  of  the  survivors  of  the  Twelfth,  as  they  passed 
through  the  reserve  line  to  the  rear  and  sought  a  place  of  rest  in  the 
woods  beyond.  It  was  at  this  time  that  Captain  Hall,  of  Whipple's  staff', 
who,  by  the  order  of  his  chief,  had  been  for  some  time  hunting  for  it, 
found  the  regiment  and  conducted  it  back  out  of  range  of  the  enemy's 
shells.  Up  to  this  time,  nothing  had  been  known  of  the  position  or  con 
dition  of  the  regiment  by  either  Colonel  Bowman  or  General  Whipple. 

After  several  hours  of  rest,  lying  at  full  length  upon  the  dry  leaves, 
where  most  or  all  of  them  fell  asleep,  the  fifty  or  more  that  had  already 
found  and  gathered  around  the  colors  formed  a  rallying  nucleus  for  those 
who  were  still  hunting  for  the  regiment ;  and  toward  night,  they,  with 
others  that  had  come  in,  were  ordered  back  to  the  river  to  find  a  place  to 
bivouac  and  reorganize. 

Marching  slowly  and  wearily  along,  and  halting  every  little  while  to 
rest,  they  at  last  reached  the  river,  as  tired  as  if  they  had  marched  all  day 
instead  of  only  two  or  three  miles.  Here  fires  were  kindled  and  efforts 
made  by  those  who  were  able  —  for  some  actually  were  not  —  to  make  a 
cup  of  coffee  and  to  roast  a  piece  of  pork,  for  notwithstanding  a  large 
part  of  their  five  days'  uncooked  rations  was  still  in  their  knapsacks,  their 
stomachs  were  as  empty  as  their  cartridge-boxes. 

About  12  o'clock  that  night  the  whole  division  was  called  to  arms 
by  a  sudden  and  spiteful  outburst  of  musketry  on  the  picket  line ;  but  in 
a  few  moments  all  was  again  quiet  along  the  Rappahannock,  and  the  men 
gladly  resumed  their  restful  slumber. 

The  next  morning's  roll-call  found  but  ninety-seven  men  and  four  offi 
cers  of  the  Twelfth  present  for  duty.  This  remnant  was  organized  into  a 
small  battalion  of  four  companies,  commanded  by  Lieutenants  Fernal, 


Hampshire   Volunteers.  91 

Smith,  French,  and  Dunn  ;  and  Capt.  John  F.  Langley,  who  had  been 
for  some  time  acting  as  assistant  inspector  of  the  brigade,  was  returned 
to  his  regiment  and  took  command.  Lieutenant  Dunn  wrote  in  his 
diary,  under  this  date:  "Who  would  have  thought,  nine  months  ago, 
when  I  enlisted  as  a  private,  that  I  should  have  command  of  the  remnants 
of  two  companies  of  the  regiment  now?" 

General  Whipple,  having  got  the  regimental  fragments  of  his  division 
into  marching  shape,  if  not  fighting  condition,  once  more,  advanced  again 
to  the  front.  But  he  had  fought  his  last  battle,  and  this  was  his  last 
march.  An  hour  or  two  later  he  was  shot  by  a  rebel  sharpshooter,  and, 
while  being  carried  from  the  field,  expressed  the  hope  that  he  might  live 
long  enough  to  give  Colonel  Potter  and  his  brave  men  a  just  report. 
That  he  did  not  is  greatly  to  be  regretted.  But  the  fact  that,  while  bleed 
ing  and  dying,  the  thought  should  have  even  entered  his  mind,  to  say 
nothing  of  its  open  expression  as  one  of  his  last  and  most  earnest  wishes, 
proves  conclusively  that  he  fully  recognized'  and  appreciated  their  heroic 
deeds  and  great  services,  and  had  determined  that  full  justice  should  be 
done  them  upon  the  lasting  records  of  their  country. 

There  was  no  fighting  during  the  day,  and  the  whole  division  was  priv 
ileged  to  rest  in  reserve.  At  midnight,  when  all  save  the  corps  com 
manders  and  the  watchful  pickets  were  sleeping,  a  council  of  war  was 
held  in  the  tent  of  the  commander-in-chief.  Of  all  the  things  done,  or  left 
undone,  in  General  Hooker's  whole  military  career,  none,  as  it  has  seemed 
to  many,  was  so  indefensible  and  so  strangely  in  contrast  with  himself— 
read  and  judged  by  his  past  military  record  —  as  his  decision,  with  three 
to  two  of  his  corps  commanders  against  him,  to  retreat  without  further 
effort  from  the  battle-field  of  Chancellorsville. 

The  following  was  a  day  of  preparation  to  do  what  the  previous  night 
had  decided.  One  hundred  men  from  the  Twelfth  —  leaving  but  a  guard 
behind  —  in  charge  of  Lieutenants  Fernal  and  Smith,  were  sent  down 
near  the  river  to  throw  up  entrenchments.  They  were  ordered  to  leave 
their  knapsacks,  muskets,  and  all  equipments  except  their  canteens  in  the 
care  of  those  who  were  to  remain  in  camp. 

Near  noon,  thick,  threatening  clouds  quickly  gathered  overhead,  from 
which  soon  fell  such  torrents  of  rain  as  drenched  everything  above  the 
ground  and  flooded  that.  An  army  overcoat  was  about  as  much  protec 
tion  against  it  as  a  linen  duster  in  a  smart  April  shower.  In  short,  it  was 
the  eruption  of  an  aerial  volcano  from  which  came  not  only  a  deluge  of 
water,  but  fish,  toads,  frogs,  and  snakes,  that  are  not  supposed  to  have 
their  habitations  above.  Fish  six  or  eight  inches  long  were  found  on  the 
ground  after  the  shower. 

This  cloud-burst,  as  it  seemed  to  be,  though  anything  but  pleasant 
to  the  men  watching  or  working  in  the  trenches,  was  a  merciful  God 
send  to  the  wounded,  many  of  whom  were  still  lying  on  the  field  unpro 
tected,  except  by  the  shade  of  the  trees.  It  allayed  the  inflammation  of 


92  History  of  the  T^velfth  Regiment 

their  wounds,  checked  the  fever  that  was  burning  them  up,  and  gave 
them  a  fresh  and  bountiful  supply  of  ozone  from  nature's  own  laboratory. 
Thus  by  the  copious  tears  that  the  heavens  shed  upon  the  wounded  and 
dying,  after  every  great  battle,  are  the  sufferings  of  thousands  relieved, 
and  the  lives  of  hundreds  saved. 

As  night  approached  it  had  become  an  open  secret  to  even  the  rank 
and  file,  that  a  speedy  retreat  was  contemplated  ;  though  some  would  not 
allow  themselves  to  believe  what,  at  the  same  time,  from  accumulating 
evidences,  they  could  not  well  doubt. 

The  men  on  detail  had  not  yet  returned,  and  much  anxiety  was  ex 
pressed  lest  their  muskets,  equipments,  and  knapsacks  would  have  to  be 
destroyed.  These  fears  were  realized  when,  just  as  it  was  growing  dark, 
orders  came  to  destroy  everything  that  could  not  be  carried. 

Knapsacks  were  piled  up  and  burned,  together  with  what  muskets  and 
equipments  remained  after  the  men  had  taken  as  many  as  they  could  or 
would  carry  across  the  river.  Many  a  dearly  cherished  keep-sake  or 
picture  of  mothers,  wives,  and  children  at  home,  or  who  had  gone  to 
their  long  homes  since  the  Twelfth  boys  last  bade  them  adieu  were  con 
sumed  in  the  flames  that  burned  up  their  knapsacks  and  clothing.  Some 
of  their  owners,  finding  that  the  army  was  to  retreat,  and  permission  to 
return  for  their  knapsacks  denied  them,  took  their  chances  to  do  so, 
despite  orders  to  the  contrary,  and  hurried  back  in  the  darkness  to  find 
only  a  pile  of  smouldering  ashes  in  the  place  where  they  had  left  them. 

From  about  8  o'clock  until  near  midnight  the  regiment  stood  in  line, 
under  a  drizzling  rain,  ready  to  march,  with  strict  orders  for  no  man  to 
leave  the  ranks.  This  delay  was  because  of  the  swollen  condition  of  the 
river,  making  it  almost  impossible  for  the  pontonniers  to  keep  the  bridge 
from  being  swept  away.  But  bridge  or  no  bridge  to  retreat  over,  sleep  the 
men  must  have,  for  they  were  falling  asleep  and  into  the  mud  at  the  same 
time.  The  men  were  therefore  allowed  to  lie  down,  in  place,  and  sleep 
in  the  bed  of  mud  and  water  until  between  one  and  two  in  the  morning, 
when  they  were  aroused  from  their  water-soaked  and  mud-stuck  rubber 
blankets,  and  started  at  last  for  the  crossing.  It  was  all  daylight  before 
the  regiment  recrossed  the  river,  on  the  safe  side  of  which  were  found 
some  of  its  officers  and  men  pleading  sickness  or  slight  wounds  as  an  ex 
cuse  for  not  being  in  the  fight  at  all  or  leaving  the  regiment  and  field 
before  their  comrades  who  stuck  by  the  colors,  and  whom  they  now 
seemed  very  glad  to  see  and  join  on  their  homeward  march  back  to  camp. 
A  field  hospital  had  been  established  here  which  the  rebels  a  day  or  two 
before  had  shelled.  A  squad  of  rebel  prisoners  near  by  complained  for 
being  exposed  to  the  fire  of  their  own  guns.  "  I  reckon  youans  can  stand 
it  if  weiins  can  "  was  the  mimicking  response  of  one  of  the  wounded  lying 
helpless  on  the  ground. 

It  was  a  long,  hard  march,  through  mud  beneath  and  rain  above,  from 
United  States  Ford  back  to  the  old  camping-ground  at  Falmouth. 


New  Hampshire    Volunteers.  93 

Not  even  the  glad  thought  that  they  were  still  alive,  and  marching 
toward  safety  and  rest  in  their  old  quarters,  was  enough  to  sustain  many 
of  those  who  had  not  half  recovered  from  the  shock  and  strain  of  battle, 
and  they  were  obliged  to  fall  out  all  along  the  march,  some  within  sight 
of  their  own  company  grounds,  their  wearied  limbs  being  unable  to  sus 
tain  them  further  without  rest. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  before  the  wet  and  wearied  few  who  were 
strong  enough  to  keep  along  with  the  colors,  ended  their  slow  and  toil 
some  march  ;  and  sad  and  solemn  indeed  was  the  scene  of  their  late 
happy  encampment,  now  silent,  tentless,  and  disconsolate. 

As  the  shades  of  evening  gathered  around,  and  no  sound  of  fife  or 
bugle  reached  the  ear,  it  seemed  like  the  silent,  solemn  gloom  of  the 
grave. 

But  the  men  were  too  tired  even  for  serious  reflections,  and  as  soon  as 
their  shelter-tents  could  be  spread  as  a  roof  over  their  water-soaked 
quarters,  they  lay  down  in  their  wet  blankets  to  steam  and  dream  away 
their  first  full  night's  rest  since  the  last  they  spent  there. 

For  the  following  two  days  the  usual  routine  of  camp  duties  were  en 
tirely  suspended,  and  rest  alone  was  all  that  was  required  of  officers  or 
men. 

But  what  a  solemn,  death-like  silence  reigned.  The  camp  seemed  like 
a  graveyard,  and  every  tenantless  and  dismantled  quarter,  with  its  walls 
and  chimney  standing  as  left,  like  a  tombstone. 

Who  that  was  there  ever  did  or  ever  will  forget  the  first  roll-call  in  that 
camp  after  its  reoccupancy? 

With  tearful  eyes  and  choked  utterances  the  living  present  respond 
as  their  names  are  called,  for  the  occasion  too  sadly  reminds  them  of  the 
brave  and  loved  comrades  and  tent-mates  among  the  absent  wounded  and 
the  dead.  And  when  at  the  close  of  the  same  day  the  drum-corps,  for 
the  first  time  after  its  return,  played  the  "retreat";  it  sounded  like  a 
funeral  dirge. 

The  following  memoranda  are  copied  from  the  author's  diary  : 

May  7,  1863.  — Ruined  last  night,  cloudy  and  sombre  like  to-day.  Tremen 
dous  cold  storm  ;  everything  drenched  and  covered  with  water  and  mud.  It  is 
sad  and  gloomy,  like  a  funeral,  as  indeed  to  us  it  is,  of  many  brave  and  cherished 
comrades.  The  many  vacant  quarters  in  the  company  lines  tell  but  too  plainly 
of  the  terrible  havoc  of  war. 

May  8,  1863.  — Rain  again  in  the  night,  and  another  dull  and  cloudy  day.  It 
seems  as  if  the  heavens  weep  by  night  and  put  on  the  veil  of  mourning  by  day 
m  sorrow  for  the  fallen  heroes,  who  but  yesterday  were  here,  but  to-day  sleep 
beneath  the  blood-soaked  sod  where  they  fell. 

On  Saturday  news  came  that  Chaplain  Ambrose  was  killed  near  the 
Chancellor  House,  where  he  had  been  last  seen,  assisting  the  wounded 
off  the  field. 


94  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

The  next  day  the  chaplain  of  Berdan's  Sharpshooters  kindly  volun 
teered  to  preach  a  sermon  of  sympathy  and  consolation  to  the  sorrow- 
stricken  remnant  of  the  once  large  and  happy  family  of  the  Twelfth  ; 
and  the  skeleton  squads,  marching  out  of  the  company  grounds  to  form 
a  regimental  line,  for  the  first  time  since  the  retreat  from  Chancellorsville, 
was  a  sight  too  sad  for  eyes  undimmed  with  tears. 

The  day  following,  the  whole  division  was  called  out  to  listen  to  the 
announcement  of  General  Jackson's  death. 

On  the  1 5th  the  camp  was  joyfully  surprised  by  the  arrival  of  Colonel 
Potter  and  Chaplain  Ambrose  from  the  battle-field  ;  the  former  a  paroled 
prisoner  and  badly  wounded,  on  his  way  to  Washington,  and  the  latter 
safe  and  sound,  though  believed  to  be  dead,  to  continue  his  work  of 
mercy  and  kindness  in  hospital  and  camp. 

The  loss  of  the  colonel  to  the  regiment  was  deeply  felt,  but  the  loss  of 
the  chaplain  would  have  been  much  more  lamented. 

"  It  seemed  good  to  hear  his  voice  again"  wrote  one  of  his  little  flock 
after  listening  to  his  first  sermon  to  them  after  returning  to  camp. 

From  the  i8th  to  the  2^th  the  men  were  busy  tearing  down  and  clear 
ing  away  the  old  quarters,  mostly  unoccupied  since  the  battle,  and  erect 
ing  new  and  smaller  ones,  to  accommodate  the  few  left  for  duty. 

About  this  time  a  petition  to  Governor  Berry  was  circulated  and  signed 
by  most  all  of  the  officers  and  men,  asking  that  the  regiment  be  sent 
home  to  recruit. 

This,  as  understood,  was  favorably  received,  and  but  for  the  early  move 
of  the  army  in  the  chase  after  General  Lee  toward  Washington,  efforts 
would  have  been  made  through  the  War  Department  for  that  purpose. 

A  letter  was  received  from  Governor  Berry  stating  that  he  would  try 
and  get  permission  for  the  regiment  to  go  home  and  recruit,  or  a  place  for 
it  in  some  fort.  There  was  some  fear  that  the  regiment  would  be  broken 
up  and  the  men  put  into  other  organizations.  This,  as  the  reader  will 
remember,  would  have  been  a  violation  of  the  original  compact,  and  the 
venerable  and  patriotic  Samuel  Berry,  of  Barnstead,  N.  H.,  wrote  a  let 
ter  to  the  Governor,  earnestly  remonstrating  against  such  a  course  and 
eloquently  pleading  that  its  record,  though  brief,  was  too  glorious  to  end 
until  the  war  ended. 

May  27th,  there  were  only  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  men  for  duty. 
Three  days  later  the  whole  regiment  —  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  men 
and  five  officers —  went  out  on  picket  for  the  same  length  of  time.  It  was 
fine  weather  and  some  of  the  younger  ones  amused  themselves,  when  not 
on  duty,  in  building  miniature  dams  across  a  creek,  and  erecting  rude 
mill  structures  thereon  with  improvised  gates,  water-wheels,  etc. 

Colonel  Berdan,  noticing  the  playwork  while  riding  by,  stopped  and 
curiously  inspected  the  same,  and  then  remarked,  "  None  but  New 
England  boys  could  do  that,"  and  expressed  the  hope  that  he  should  see 
them  building  real  mills  on  a  larger  scale  some  day.  Though  a  matter 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  95 

of  little  or  no  importance,  it  is  alluded  to  here  because  it  illustrates  how 
little  things  are  noticed  by  great  men,  and  especially  if  they  happen  to 
tangent  upon  or  come  within  the  circle  of  their  own  genius. 

Colonel  Berdan  was  a  New  England  boy  himself  and  had  passed  some  of 
the  happiest  of  his  youthful  days  in  constructing  water-wheels  of  different 
kinds  and  sizes  and  seeing  them  revolve  in  the  little  brook  that  ran  close 
by  his  father's  house.  It  was  the  first  indication  of  that  inventive  and 
creative  power  that  afterward  produced  the  Berdan  rifle,  which  was 
adopted  by  the  Government,  and  many  other  useful  inventions  that  gave 
him  a  national  reputation.  In  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  he  com 
manded  the  Third  Brigade  of  Whipple's  division.  This  brigade  was 
composed  of  the  First  and  Second  United  States  Sharpshooters,  and  were 
armed  with  Sharpe's  breech-loading  rifles.  The  men  wore  a  dark  green 
uniform,  as  least  likely  to  betray  their  presence  and  position  to  the  enemy 
when  lying  in  the  grass  or  skirmishing  through  the  woods.  Selected,  as 
they  were,  from  among  the  best  shots  in  the  army,  and  armed  with  the 
best  small  arm  then  in  general  use  in  the  service,  with  a  chaplain  who 
sometimes  went  with  them  to  the  front,  carrying  a  telescope  rifle  with 
which  he  could  dismount  a  general  field  officer  a  mile  or  more  away,  it  is 
no  wonder  that  they  were  greatly  feared  by  the  rebels  who  called  them 
"  Green  Coated  Devils,"  or  "  Snakes  in  the  Grass." 

They  were  chiefly  employed  as  skirmishers  and  flankers,  for  which 
places  they  were  especially  fitted,  but  sometimes,  as  in  Chancellorsville, 
presented  themselves  in  solid  line  of  battle.  It  is  hazarding  but  little  to 
say  that  no  body  of  troops  of  twice  their  number  did  more  effective 
service. 

June  came  in  with  a  hurricane  wind  that  filled  the  tents  with  dust  and 
sand  and  blew  over  many  of  the  chimneys.  The  tent  ropes  of  the  offi 
cers'  quarters  had  to  be  tightened  by  driving  the  stakes  more  securely 
into  the  ground,  and  extra  efforts  were  necessary  to  keep  the  regimental 
hospital  tent  from  blowing  down. 

It  had  been  warm  and  dry  for  some  time,  with  a  few  days  exceedingly 
hot  for  May,  and  the  dust,  which  had  been  getting  daily  more  and  more 
unpleasant  and  annoying,  filling  the  air  at  every  movement  and  slight 
breeze,  was  now  up  and  out  in  full  force,  as  if  on  a  holiday  march,  and 
sweeping  down  the  parade-ground  in  solid,  cloud-like  battalions  at  every 
recurring  gust.  Of  course  such  violent  exercise  of  the  aerial  element 
soon  produced  perspiration,  and  the  next  day  it  rained. 

The  regiment  was  called  into  line  at  the  first  dawn  of  light  on  the 
morning  of  the  ^th,  and  stood  to  arms  ready  to  march  at  a  moment's 
notice  for  two  hours  or  more.  This  was  because  of  a  reported  movement 
of  the  rebel  cavalry. 

June  5th,  heavy  firing  was  heard  in  the  afternoon  in  the  direction  of 
Fredericksburg,  and  it  was  soon  correctly  reported  in  camp  that  a  part  of 
our  forces  had  again  crossed  the  river  at  or  near  that  place. 


96  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

It  was  now  quite  evident  to  General  Hooker  that  the  Confederate  army 
was  on  the  move,  and  this  reconnoissance  across  the  river  was  to  ascertain 
if  anything  more  than  a  strong  picket  show  had  been  left  at  Fredericks- 
burg.  Finding  the  enemy  still  there  in  force,  General  Hooker,  though 
satisfied  that  a  part  of  Lee's  army  had  been  withdrawn,  decided  to  wait 
and  watch  until  he  could  get  more  definite  information  of  his  movements. 
He  soon  became  convinced  that  the  army  of  Northern  Virginia  with  Lee 
at  its  head  was  moving  rapidly  northward.  It  could  mean  but  one  thing, 
and  that,  another  bold  raid  into  the  North. 

The  next  day  occasional  firing  was  heard  at  or  near  Fredericksburg, 
and  the  sick  in  camp  were  removed  to  the  division  hospital.  It  was  use 
less  to  dispute,  for  indications  and  reports  all  pointed  toward  that  conclu 
sion,  that  another  campaign  was  about  to  open  and  that  there  was  more 
hard  marching  and  fighting  soon  to  come  for  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

LETTEK  FROM  COLONEL  HALL. 

The  following  is  from  a  letter  written  March  21,  1892,  by  Col.  Daniel 
Hall,  late  Department  Commander  of  New  Hampshire,  G.  A.  R.,  who 
was  captain  on  General  Whipple's  staff  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  : 

I  well  remember  Ihe  Twelfth  Regiment  and  when  it  was  posted  in  the  edge  of 
the  woods  below  the  Chancellor  House.  It  got  separated,  by  some  chance, 
pretty  essentially  from  the  rest  of  the  division.  I  rather  think  its  separation  was 
brought  about  by  its  fighting  better  and  more  doggedly  maintaining  its  position. 
Part  of  the  division  was  on  the  right  and  part  on  the  left  of  the  plank  road,  and 
not  closely  connected.  The  Pennsylvania  regiments  (very  small  ones)  brigaded 
with  the  Twelfth  were  not  ranged  with  it  on  the  line  of  battle,  but,  as  I  now 
remember,  were  posted  in  reserve  or  to  guard  its  flanks  and  were  dispersed  or 
driven  back  before  the  Twelfth  was.* 

General  Whipple  and  his  star!"  were  attending  rather  more  to  the  rest  of  the 
division,  because,  as  I  remember  perfectly  well,  he  had  full  confidence  in  the 
Twelfth  and  its  commander,  Colonel  Potter,  and  believed  it  would  hold  its 
ground  as  long  as  possible. 

After  our  line  was  broken  almost  everywhere  and  the  army  was  practically 
driven  from  its  position,  and  a  retreat  or  rout  was  imminent,  this  regiment  was 
still  maintaining  itself  and  had  not  given  up  its  ground.  Then,  when  about  the 
whole  line  had  retreated  toward  the  Chancellor  House,  the  situation  of  the 
Twelfth  began  to  be  a  matter  of  inquiry,  and  steps  were  taken  by  General  Whip- 
pie  to  save  whatever  might  be  left  of  it.  I  cannot  say  that  I  carried  any  order 
to  the  regiment,  for  it  was  fighting  alone  and  not  under  the  orders  of  any  imme 
diate  superior —  Colonel  Bowman,  commanding  the  brigade,  had  lost  connection 
with  it  —  but  I  remember  finding  the  remnant  left  of  it  after  it  had  got  back  as  far 
as  the  Chancellor  House,  and  of  taking  it  off  the  field.  My  impression  is 
that  I  was  then  acting  under  orders  of  General  Whipple  to  find  and  save  the 
regiment,  if  I  could,  and  get  it  to  the  rear  where  we  were  trying  to  gather  up  the 
fragments  of  the  division. 

*  See  Colonel  Bowman's  report. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  97 

This  was  toward  or  about  noon.  At  2  o'clock,  or  thereabouts,  the  whole  army 
fell  back  into  a  new  line  of  intrenchments  toward  the  river. 

Of  the  remarkable  gallantry  and  stubbornness  of  the  New  Hampshire  Twelfth 
that  day  there  is  no  question.  It  was  matter  of  common  talk  among  us,  and 
General  Whipple  was  proud  of  the  conduct  of  the  regiment ;  and  after  he  was 
wounded  the  next  morning  by  a  rebel  sharpshooter,  and  knew  that  his  wound 
was  mortal,  he  spoke  in  warmest  terms  of  praise  of  the  regiment  and  of  Colonel 
Potter,  wishing  that  he  might  live  long  enough  to  do  him  and  his  brave  men 
justice. 

Though  not  a  field  officer  was  left,  and  scarcely  a  line  officer,  and  nearly  three 
fifths  of  its  entire  number  were  killed  or  wounded,  the  regiment  came  up  the 
slope  to  the  Chancellor  House  in  fair  order  amid  the  fire  and  shouts  of  the 
exultant  rebels  swarming  out  of  the  woods  but  just  behind  them. 

Colonel  Bowman  really  gave  no  direction  to  the  Twelfth  that  day,  after  the  first 
formation  in  the  early  morning,  and  it  was  not  under  his  eye  at  any  time  after, 
during  the  battle.  I  also  remember  what  a  magnificently  large  regiment  of  stal 
wart  men  it  was  when  it  first  came  to  the  front,  and  what  a  splendid  body  of 
men  —  nearly  six  hundred  —  that  went  into  the  fight,  and  came  out  with  less  than 
two  hundred  effectives  left.  *  *  *  I  wish  I  might  help  by  my  testimony  to 
do  that  justice  to  the  gallant  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  which  my  lamented  friend, 
General  Whipple,  did  not  live  to  do. 

The  foregoing  letter,  though  written  nearly  thirty  years  after  the  battle, 
and  almost  wholly  from  memory,  is  remarkable  for  its  correct  outline  of 
the  situation  and  its  general  accuracy.  In  the  absence  of  any  official 
report  of  the  important  part  taken  by  the  regiment  in  that  battle,  except 
so  far  as  incidentally  referred  to,  it  supplies  a  great  want,  and  is  espe 
cially  valuable  to  the  author  of  this  history  to  confirm  many  statements  of 
his  concerning  the  Twelfth  at  Chancellorsville,  that  otherwise  might  be 
considered  as  written  with  more  regard  for  the  credit  and  good  name  of 
the  regiment  than  for  the  simple  truth. 

Indeed,  so  nearly  do  these  statements  and  the  letter  agree,  in  several 
essential  particulars,  that  one  might  think  that  the  same  person  had 
written  both,  or  that  one  had  been  written  to  correspond  with  the  other; 
although  the  fact  is,  that  the  author  of  each  wrote  in  entire  ignorance  of 
what  the  other  was  going  to  write  or  had  written. 

With  the  exception  of  the  correction  of  one  date,  and  a  slight  change  in 
one  or  two  minor  particulars,  the  letter,  as  originally  written  at  the  solici 
tation  of  the  author,  and  as  here  published  with  his  sincere  thanks  to 
Colonel  Hall,  in  behalf  of  every  surviving  member  of  the  regiment,  is  the 
same. 

OFFICIAL  REPORTS  OF  THE  BATTLE. 

The  following  extracts  from  the  official  reports  of  the  corps  and  brigade 
commanders,  together  with  a  brief  extract  from  the  report  of  the  assistant 
adjutant-general  of  the  division,  will  be  found  useful,  as  well  as  interest 
ing,  in  assisting  the  reader  to  a  better  understanding  of  what  has  already 
been  written  in  this  and  the  preceding  chapter. 


98  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

It  is  extremely  to  be  regretted  that  no  official  report,  further  than 
found  in  the  following  extracts,  was  ever  made  of  the  heroic  part  the 
Twelfth  bore  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville. 

General  Whipple,  who  knew  better  than  any  other  general  officer  of 
the  difficult  and  almost  impossible  task  that  stern  necessity  imposed  upon 
it,  when,  in  want  of  any  other  troops  present,  he  was  obliged  to  order  it 
in  to  do  the  part  and  hold  the  ground  of  a  whole  brigade,  did  not  live 
long  enough,  though  it  was  his  dying  wish  that  he  might,  "to  do  justice 
to  Colonel  Potter  and  his  brave  men." 

Colonel  Bowman,  commanding  the  brigade,  knew  little  or  nothing  of 
what  the  regiment  did,  or  even  of  its  position  after  he  left  it  at  the  brook 
in  the  early  morning,  and  therefore  could  make  no  satisfactory  report 
of  it.  Colonel  Potter  was  severely  wounded  and  sent  to  Washington  ; 
but  for  his  not  making  a  report  and  giving  his  brave  men  the  credit  that 
belonged  to  them,  after  he  had  sufficiently  recovered  from  his  wound  to 
do  so,  there  seems  to  have  been  no  excuse  and  the  wrongful  neglect  can 
neither  be  explained  nor  justified. 

General  Sickles  in  his  report,  after  giving  the  movements  of  his  corps 
from  the  time  of  its  breaking  camp  at  Falmouth  to  the  forenoon  of  Satur 
day  at  Chancellorsville,  says  : 

My  attention  was  now  withdrawn  from  Chancellorsville,  where  Berry  and 
Whipple  remained  in  reserve,  by  several  reports  in  quick  succession  from  Gen 
eral  Birney,  that  a  column  of  the  enemy  was  moving  along  his  front  toward  our 
right.  This  column  I  found,  on  going  to  the  spot,  to  be  within  easy  range  of 
Clarke's  battery  (about  1,600  yards),  and  Clarke  so  effectually  annoyed  the 
enemy  by  his  excellent  practice  that  the  infantry  sought  cover  in  the  woods  or 
some  other  road  more  to  the  south,  while  the  artillery  and  trains  hurried  past  in 
great  confusion,  endeavoring  to  escape  our  well  directed  and  destructive  fire. 

This  continuous  column  —  infantry,  artillery  trains,  and  ambulances  —  was 
observed  for  three  hours,  moving  apparently  in  a  southerly  direction  toward 
Orange  Court  House  on  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  railroad,  or  Louisa  Court 
House  on  the  Virginia  Central.  The  movement  indicated  a  retreat  on  Gordons- 
ville  or  an  attack  on  our  right  flank,  perhaps  both  ;  for  if  the  attack  failed  the 
retreat  could  be  continued.  The  unbroken  mass  of  forest  on  our  right  favored 
the  concealment  of  the  enemy's  real  design.  *  *  * 

At  noon  I  received  orders  to  advance  cautiously  toward  the  road  followed  by 
the  enemy,  and  harass  the  movement  as  much  as  possible.  *  *  * 

I  then  directed  Whipple  to  come  up  within  supporting  distance.  Reaching 
the  iron  foundry,  about  a  mile  from  his  first  position,  Birney's  advance  was 
checked  by  a  twelve-pounder  battery  of  the  enemy,  which,  at  short  range,  from 
Welford's  house  near  the  road,  poured  in  a  destructive  fire.  *  *  * 

The  considerable  intervale  on  the  left  between  Birney's  and  Williams's 
divisions  of  Slocum's  corps  yet  remaining  unoccupied,  I  was  compelled  to  draw 
largely  from  my  reserves  (Whipple)  to  enable  me  to  connect  on  the  left  with 
Slocum. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers.  99 

Referring  to  the  attack  of  Jackson,  he  continues  : 

Returning  to  the  front,  I  found  every  indication  that  looked  to  a  complete 
success  as  soon  as  my  advance  could  be  supported.  * 

Regarding  the  movement  opportune  for  the  advance  of  General  Pleasanton 
with  his  cavalry  and  horse  battery,  I  was  about  to  dispatch  a  statt"  officer  to  bring 
him  forward,  when  it  was  reported  to  me  that  the  Eleventh  Corps  had  yielded  the 
right  wing  of  the  army  to  the  enemy,  who  was  advancing  rapidly,  and,  indeed, 
was  already  in  my  rear. 

I  confess  I  did  not  credit  this  statement  until  an  aide-de-camp  of  General  War 
ren  of  General  Hooker's  staff"  confirmed  the  report,  and  asked  for  a  regiment  of 
cavalry  to  check  the  movement.  The  Eighth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  was  imme 
diately  sent  by  General  Pleasanton,  and  brilliantly  was  the  service  performed, 
although  with  fearful  loss.  I  had  only  time  to  dispatch  staff"  officers  to  recall 
Birney  and  Whipple,  when  the  enemy's  scouts  and  some  dragoons  disclosed 
themselves  as  I  rode  toward  the  bridge  across  Scott's  Run  for  the  purpose  of 
making  dispositions  to  meet  and  arrest  this  disaster.  Meeting  General  Pleasan 
ton,  we  hastened  to  make  the  best  available  disposition  to  attack  Jackson's 
columns  on  their  right  flank.  I  confided  to  General  Pleasanton  the  direction  of 
the  artillery  —  three  batteries  of  my  reserve,  Clarke's,  Lewis's,  and  Turnbull's, 
and  his  one-horse  battery. 

The  only  supports  at  hand  comprised  two  small  regiments  of  cavalry — Sixth 
New  York  and  Seventeenth  Pennsylvania  —  and  one  regiment  of  infantry  —  One 
Hundred  and  Tenth  Pennsylvania  —  of  Whipple's  division.* 

Time  was  everything.  The  fugitives  of  the  Eleventh  Corps  swarmed  from  the 
woods  and  swept  frantically  over  the  cleared  fields  in  which  my  artillery  was 
parked.  The  exulting  enemy  at  their  heels  mingled  yells  and  volleys,  and  in  the 
confusion  which  followed  it  seemed  as  if  cannon,  caissons,  dragoons,  cannoneers, 
and  infantry  could  never  be  disentangled  from  the  mass  in  which  they  were  sud 
denly  thrown.  Fortunately  there  was  only  one  obvious  outlet  for  these  panic- 
stricken  hordes,  after  rushing  between  and  over  our  guns,  and  this  was  through  a 
ravine  crossed  in  one  or  two  places  by  Scott's  Run.  This  was  made  impassable 
by  the  reckless  crowd  choking  up  the  way. 

A  few  moments  was  enough  to  restore  comparative  order  and  get  our  artillery 
in  position.  The  enemy  showing  himself  on  the  plain,  Pleasanton  met  the 
shock  at  short  range  with  the  well  directed  fire  of  twenty-two  pieces,  double 
shotted  with  canister.  The  rebels  pressed  by  the  plank  road  rapidly,  and  as 
General  Pleasanton  justly  observes  in  his  report  — 

"They  advanced  in  silence  and  with  that  skill  and  adroitness  they  often  display 
to  gain  their  object.  The  only  color  visible  was  an  American  flag  with  the 
centre  battalion.  To  clear  up  this  doubt  my  aide-de-camp,  Lieutenant  Thomp 
son,  First  New  York  Cavalry,  rode  to  within  one  hundred  yards  of  them,  when 
they  called  out  to  him,  'We  are  friends;  come  on!'  and  he  was  induced  to  go 
fifty  yards  closer,  when  the  whole  line  in  a  most  dastardly  manner  opened  on 
him  with  musketry,  dropped  the  American  colors,  and  displayed  eight  or  ten 
rebel  battle  flags." 

Lieutenant  Thompson  escaped  unhurt,  and  our  batteries  opened  on  the  advanc 
ing  columns  with  crushing  power.  The  heads  of  columns  were  swept  away  to  the 

*See  mention  of  in  preceding  chapter. 


IOO  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

woods,  from  which  opened  a  furious  but  ineffectual  fire  of  musketry.  Twice  they 
attempted  a  flank  movement;  but  the  first  was  checked  by  our  guns,  and  the 
second  and  most  formidable  was  baffled  by  the  advance  of  Whipple  and  Birney, 
who  were  coming  up  rapidly  but  in  perfect  order,  and  forming  in  lines  of 
brigades  in  rear  of  the  artillery  and  on  the  flanks. 

My  position  was  now  secure  in  the  adequate  infantry  support  which  had 
arrived,  and  the  loud  cheers  of  our  men,  as  twilight  closed  the  combat,  vainly 
challenged  the  enemy  to  renew  the  encounter. 

Of  the  midnight  attack  made  by  his  forces  he  says  : 

It  is  difficult  to  do  justice  to  the  brilliant  execution  of  this  movement  by  Birney 
and  his  splendid  command.  Wood's  brigade  formed  the  first  line,  Ilaymen's 
second,  about  one  hundred  yards  in  the  rear,  pieces  all  uncapped,  and  strict 
orders  not  to  fire  a  gun  until  the  plank  road  and  earthworks  were  reached;  the 
movement  to  be  by  the  right  of  companies.  On  the  left  a  wide  road  led 
through  the  woods  perpendicular  to  the  plank  road  on  which  the  Fortieth  New 
York,  Seventeenth  Maine,  and  Sixty-third  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  were  pushed 
forward  by  column  of  companies  at  full  distance. 

The  night  was  very  clear  and  still ;  the  moon,  nearly  full,  threw  enough  light 
into  the  woods  to  facilitate  the  advance,  and  against  a  terrific  fire  of  musketry 
and  artillery  —  some  twenty  pieces  of  which  the  enemy  had  massed  in  the  opening, 
where  General  Howard's  headquarters  had  been  established  —  the  advance  was 
successfully  executed,  the  line  of  the  plank  road  gained,  and  our  breastworks 
reoccupied.  *  *  * 

All  our  guns  and  caissons,  and  a  portion  of  Whipple's  mule  train  were 
recovered,  besides  two  pieces  of  the  enemy's  artillery  and  three  caissons  captured. 

As  the  following,  in  reference  to  the  next  day's  fight,  will  be  instructively 
interesting  to  most  of  the  readers  of  this  book,  and  of  special  interest  to 
all  the  survivors  of  the  Twelfth,  particularly  to  those  of  them  who  fought 
there,  it  will  be  given  in  full  : 

At  daylight  on  Sunday  morning  I  received  orders  from  the  general-in-chief  in 
person  to  withdraw  from  my  position  on  the  plank  road  and  march  my  command 
by  the  most  practical  route  to  Fairview,  and  there  occupy  the  line  of  intrench- 
ments  along  the  skirt  of  the  woods,  on  both  sides  of  and  perpendicular  to  the 
plank  road  ;  my  artillery  to  occupy  the  field-works  on  the  crest  of  the  hill  in  the 
rear  of  the  lines  of  battle.  Major-General  Berry  I  found  already  in  position  in 
the  front  line  with  the  Second  Division  connecting  on  his  left  with  Williams's 
division  —  Twelfth  Corps. 

An  examination  of  his  disposition  left  me  nothing  to  desire. 

General  Whipple  commenced  his  movement  from  the  Wilderness  (the  place 
it  occupied  Saturday  night)  by  the  left  flank,  preceded  by  the  artillery  of  his 
own  and  Birney's  division,  except  Huntington's  battery,  which  was  well  posted 
on  the  right  flank  to  cover  the  withdrawal  of  the  columns. 

Birney  followed  in  good  order.  When  the  rear  of  his  column  (Graham's 
brigade)  had  descended  into  the  ravine,  the  enemy  fiercely  assailed  Graham  and 
Huntington's  battery,  but  were  handsomely  repulsed.  Directing  a  battery  to 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  101 

open  fire  from  the  crest  of  a  hill  to  the  left  of  the  Fairview  house  (meaning  the 
Chancellor  House)  and  a  brigade  to  be  formed  in  column  of  regiments  within 
supporting  distance  of  Graham,  he  was  withdrawn  in  good  order,  though  not 
without  considerable  loss. 

Huntington's  battery,  of  Whipple's  division,  swept  with  a  most  destructive 
fire  the  plain  upon  which  the  rebels  deployed  for  their  attack  on  Graham.  In 
withdrawing  over  the  branches  of  Scott's  Run,  this  battery  lost  some  of  its  horses 
and  material.  Along  the  heights  in  front  of  Fairview,  commencing  near  the 
plank  road  on  the  right,  were  Dimick's  and  Osburn's  batteries;  near  the  dwell 
ing  Randolph's  and  Clarke's  were  posted  ;  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  crest  Seeley, 
Lewis,  Livingstone,  and  Puttkammer  in  reserve.  Iluntington  was  sent  to  the 
ford.  The  Third  (Mott's)  Brigade,  Second  Division,  after  the  retreat  of  the 
Third  Maryland,  moved  forward  to  the  breastworks  by  the  command  of  General 
Mott,  and  drove  the  enemy  back  upon  himself  with  incalculable  slaughter. 

The  Fifth  New  Jersey  advanced  into  the  woods,  beyond  the  line  of  breast 
works,  capturing  many  prisoners  and  colors.  The  Seventh  New  Jersey  vied 
with  the  Fifth  in  repelling  the  rebel  masses.  Graham's  brigade  (the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth,  Fifty-seventh,  Sixty-third,  Sixty-eighth,  One  Hundred 
and  Fifth,  and  One  Hundred  and  Forty-first  Pennsylvania  Infantry)  was  almost 
immediately  sent  to  the  front  to  relieve  one  of  General  Slocum's  brigades  which 
was  reported  to  me  to  be  out  of  ammunition. 

The  First  Brigade  (General  Franklin  commanding)  of  Whipple's  division, 
in  two  lines  —  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth  and  Eighty-sixth  New  York 
and  One  Hundred  and  T \venty-second  Pennsylvania  —  supported  Berry  on  the 
right  of  the  plank  road  most  gallantly. 

The  battery  on  the  left  of  the  road  and  in  the  rear  of  the  line  having  been 
withdrawn,  these  regiments  relieved  the  front  line  on  the  left  of  the  road,  and  by 
a  brilliant  charge  drove  back  the  enemy  who  was  coming  down  the  road  and 
over  our  breastworks. 

It  was  in  this  charge  that  the  intrepid  Lieutenant-Colonel  Chapin  and  Major 
Iliggins  were  wounded,  the  former  mortally. 

The  Second  Brigade,  Colonel  Bowman  commanding — the  Twelfth  New 
Hampshire,  Colonel  Potter  commanding;  One  Hundred  and  Tenth  Pennsyl 
vania,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Crowther  commanding ;  and  the  Eighty-fourth  Penn 
sylvania,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Opp  commanding  —  formed  the  third  line  in  front 
and  to  the  left  of  the  batteries  at  Fairview. 

These  troops  behaved  with  the  utmost  gallantry  and  were  boldly  led,  main 
taining  their  ground  to  the  last,  under  the  most  adverse  circumstances. 

Their  loss  was  necessarily  severe.  Besides  Lieutenant-Colonel  Crowther,  who 
was  killed,  Colonel  Potter,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Marsh,  and  Major  Savage,  of  the 
Twelfth  New  Hampshire,  and  Major  Jones,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Tenth 
Pennsylvania,  were  all  dangerously  wounded. 

The  sharpshooters,  under  Colonel  Berdan,  supported  the  First  Brigade,  throw 
ing  out  a  strong  line  of  skirmishers  to  the  front  in  the  woods.  These  splendid 
light  troops  rendered  the  most  efficient  service. 

Major  Hastings  was  severely  wounded  while  upon  duty  with  his  battalion. 

The  vigor  and  tenacity  of  the  enemy's  attack  seemed  to  concentrate  more  and 
more  upon  my  lines  near  the  plank  road  and  on  my  left  flank.*  As  fast  as  their 
*  It  will  be  remembered  that  the  Twelfth  fought  on  the  left  of  and  close  to  the  plank  road. 


IO2  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

lines  were  broken  by  the  terrible  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry,  fresh  columns 
were  deployed. 

My  last  reserve  —  Wood's  brigade  of  Birney's  division  —  had  been  sent  to  sup 
port  Berry  on  the  right  of  the  plank  road,  but  the  heroic  commander  had  fallen 
in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  while  Wood  was  on  his  way,  who  failed  to  get  into 
position  before  the  enemy  had  turned  Berry's  left  flank,  which  was  held  by  the 
Third  Maryland,  of  the  Twelfth  Corps. 

Thirty  cannon,  in  commanding  position  and  admirably  served,  inflicted  ter 
rible  blows  upon  the  enemy.  Often  repulsed  by  the  concentration  of  this  fire, 
and  by  repeated  charges  of  infantry,  his  exhausted  resources  enabled  him  to  press 
forward  rather  in  crowds  than  in  any  regular  formation. 

Colonel  Bowman,  in  his  very  brief  and  somewhat  indefinite  report  of 
the  battle,  after  referring  in  a  few  words  to  the  advance  of  his  brigade 
and  its  position  Saturday  afternoon  and  night,  continues  as  follows  : 

In  the  evening  we  fell  back  and  lay  on  our  arms  until  daylight,  when  the 
entire  brigade  —  the  One  Hundred  and  Tenth  Pennsylvania  had  rejoined  it  on  its 
retreat  from  the  woods  in  the  afternoon  —  was  directed  to  march  in  the  direction 
of  the  brick  house  (meaning  the  Chancellor  House),  and  to  form  the  third  line  of 
battle  in  front  our  batteries,  placed  on  a  hill. 

I  had  no  special  orders  from  General  Whipple,  excepting  that  it  would  be 
expected  of  me  to  support  the  batteries.  But  I  had  hardly  made  the  proper  dis 
positions  of  my  command,  when  (the  enemy  having  made  a  vigorous  attack 
against  our  left)  I  saw  our  troops  on  both  sides  of  the  creek  break  and  run, 
without  giving  the  enemy  a  single  volley.  Under  these  circumstances  it  was 
obvious  that  unless  this  calamity  could  be  repaired  instantly  our  left  would  be 
turned  at  the  very  beginning  of  the  engagement.  I  could  not  at  that  moment 
obtain  the  advice  of  either  my  division,  or  corps  commander.  The  enemy  was 
seeking  the  very  cover  abandoned  by  our  troops  to  be  used  against  us.  There 
was  no  time  for  delay,  and  I  ordered  the  One  Hundred  and  Tenth  and  Eighty- 
fourth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  (these  being  nearest  thereto)  into  the  position 
abandoned  as  above  stated. 

For  a  moment  it  was  doubtful  if  we  could  get  there  before  the  enemy,  but  just 
then  General  Whipple  appeared,  and  urging  us  on,  we  secured  the  position,  and 
held  it. 

By  this  circumstance  my  command  was  divided.  The  Twelfth  New  Hampshire 
Volunteers  became  engaged  subsequently,  and  lost  heavily.  Colonel  Potter,  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  Marsh,  and  Major  Savage  were  all  badly  wounded,  and  of 
twenty-one  officers  and  five  hundred  and  thirty- seven  enlisted  men  of  this  regi 
ment  who  went  into  the  fight,  there  remain  only  five  officers  and  two  hundred 
and  twelve  men  now  present  for  duty.  The  One  Hundred  and  Tenth  and 
Eighty-fourth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  held  their  position  for  nearly  two  hours, 
and  until  our  artillery  on  the  hill  had  been  withdrawn.  *  *  * 

My  command  having  been  separated  by  the  circumstance  alluded  to,  and 
anticipating  my  inability  to  be  present  constantly  with  all  portions  of  it,  I  in 
structed  Colonel  Crowther,  the  senior  officer,  to  hold  the  position  at  all  hazards 
until  it  became  absolutely  impossible  and  then  to  retreat,  but  unfortunately  he 


Hampshire   Volunteers.  103 

did  not  discover  in  time  our  line  broken  on  his  right,  and  that  he  was  flanked  on 
his  left,  and  before  he  was  aware  of  it  he  was  called  upon  to  surrender  by  an 
overwhelming  force  of  the  enemy.  This  proposition  was  responded  to  only  by 
a  hand  to  hand  encounter,  in  which  he  bravely  fell,  and  out  of  which  about  one 
half  of  the  command  at  that  point  escaped,  bringing  many  prisoners  with  them. 
The  fate  of  the  balance  is  unknown. 

From  this  report  it  is  seen  why  and  how  the  Twelfth  became  separated 
from  the  rest  of  the  brigade,  and  had  to  fight  its  battle  alone  ;  but  it  does 
not  so  clearly  appear  where  Colonel  Bowman  and  his  staff  officers  were 
after  he  left  Colonel  Crowther  in  command  of  his  two  Pennsylvania  reg 
iments.  He  says:  "Anticipating  my  inability  to  be  constantly  present 
with  all  portions  of  it  (the  brigade),  I  instructed  Colonel  Crowther," 
etc.  Now  the  Twelfth  was  the  only  portion  left  of  the  brigade,  for  there 
were  but  three  regiments  in  it,  and  if  Colonel  Crowther,  as  senior  officer, 
took  command  of  and  was  looking  after  two  regiments,  what  hindered 
Colonel  Bowman  from  looking  after  the  other? 

Or,  if  he  could  not  possibly  do  so  himself,  where  were  all  his  staff  offi 
cers  and  aides-de-camp?  It  is  safe  enough  to  presume,  that  had  the 
Twelfth  been  at  that  time  as  far  to  the  rear  as  it  was  in  front  of  the  main 
line  of  battle  —  meaning  the  front  line  of  intrenchments,  to  hold  which 
the  Pennsylvania  regiments  had  been  ordered  to  the  left — it  would  have 
had  no  reason  to  complain  for  lack  of  attention  from  either  general  or 
staff  officers. 

Assistant  Adjutant-General  Dalton,  of  Whipple's  staff,  refers  in  his 
report  to  Bowman's  brigade  as  follows  : 

The  second  brigade  was  placed  in  position  supporting  the  batteries  on  the  left 
and  front  of  the  white  house  (meaning,  as  presumed,  the  Chancellor  House). 

This  position  was  a  critical  one,  the  troops  on  either  flank  having  fallen  back, 
and  the  batteries  having  been  withdrawn ;  but  the  brigade  held  its  ground  suc 
cessfully  until  nearly  flanked,  when  it  retreated  to  the  lines  of  the  army.  In  this 
movement  the  brigade  was  constantly  engaged  in  fighting  and  suffered  heavily, 
losing  more  than  half  of  the  command.  Out  of  seven  field  officers,  five  fell, 
either  killed  or  wounded. 

This  report  of  Captain  Dalton's,  dated  May  loth,  shows  how  little  he 
knew  of  the  action  of  the  brigade  after  it  had  taken  its  position  in  the 
morning,  and  how  little  was  known  of  the  position  and  action  of  one  of 
its  regiments  as  late  as  seven  days  after  the  battle.  What  he  says,  ex 
cepting  as  to  position  first  taken  by  the  brigade  and  loss  of  field  officers, 
applies  only  to  the  two  Pennsylvania  regiments,  and  does  not  touch  the 
Twelfth  at  all.  Yet  it  is  of  some  importance  here,  as  cumulative  evidence, 
because,  when  taken  in  connection  with  Colonel  Hall's  letter  and  Colonel 
Bowman's  report,  it  proves  conclusively  the  correctness  of  the  author's 
pen  picture  of  the  situation  at  the  time  the  Twelfth  was  ordered  into  the 
fight,  viz.  :  that  the  regiment,  after  the  detachment  of  the  other  two  bat- 


104  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

talions,  was  left  substantially  alone  to  stem  the  tide  that  was  rolling  in 
upon  them  from  a  broad  unguarded  front.  "  This  position,"  he  says, 
"  was  a  critical  one,  the  troops  on  either  flank  having  fallen  back  and  the 
batteries  having  been  withdrawn." 

But  if  that  position  was  a  critical  one,  as  indeed  it  was,  what  shall  be 
said  of  the  position  of  the  Twelfth  more  than  two  hours  afterward  —  if 
the  Colonel  is  correct  in  his  time  —  when  it  stood  fighting  seventy-five 
rods  at  least  in  advance  of  its  first  line  of  battle,  with  both  its  flanks  firmly 
held  by  rebel  troops!  The  part  of  the  brigade  of  which  he  speaks  fell 
back  long  before  the  remaining  and  most  tenacious  part  did,  and  no  infer 
ence  intended  that  any  part  of  it  did  not  fight  well,  either. 

GENERAL  SICKLES'S  TESTIMONY. 

General  Sickles,  when  asked  at  the  time  of  the  Third  Corps  reunion  in  Boston, 
if  he  remembered  an)  thing  about  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers  at 
Chancellorsville,  responded  as  follows  : 

"Yes,  sir,  I  do ;  I  know  that  it  was  the  last  regiment  that  left  the  field  that 
day.  When  I  had  formed  my  last  line  near  the  Chancellor  House,  and  my 
artillery  was  just  about  to  open  on  the  rebel  lines  that  came  pressing  out  of  the 
woods  at  the  foot  of  Fairview,  I  noticed  a  little  squad  of  blue  emerge  in  sight 
over  the  hill  on  our  left  front ;  and  putting  spurs  to  my  horse,  I  rode  in  front 
of  my  batteries  and  ordered  the  gunners  to  hold  their  fire  as  there  were  some  of 
my  men  between  us  and  the  rebels.  I  was  interested  to  know  what  regiment  the 
men  belonged  to,  as  I  supposed  all  my  troops  had  fallen  back  some  time  before 
that,  and  when  they  came  up  I  found  they  belonged  to  the  Twelfth  New  Hamp 
shire  Volunteers." 

He  was  then  told  that  his  statement  explained  what  some  of  the  Twelfth  boys 
who  were  in  that  squad  had  said  about  him  at  the  time. 

"  What  was  that?  "  inquired  the  general. 

"  They  said,  and  have  often  since  referred  to  it,  that  you  were  riding  up  and 
down  in  front  of  your  line,  bare-headed  and  swinging  your  hat,  and  crying  out : 
'Fall  in,  fall  in  here,  men!  These  are  my  guns !  '  Understanding  you  to  mean 
for  them  to  fall  in  and  help  support  your  batteries." 

"No,"  laughingly  replied  the  general,  "  that  wasn't  my  object,  nor  quite  my 
words,  though  I  can  see  how  they  could  easily  have  understood  me  so.  What  I 
did  say  was,  '  Hold  on  there,  gunners  I  Hold  your  fire!  77wsc  arc  MY  men  !' 

"  The  little  squad  (for  as  I  remember  it  there  wasn't  much  more  than  a  baker's 
dozen  left  of  them,  was  there?)  sprang  into  sight  all  at  once  and  entirely  unex 
pected  to  me,  and,  if  I  hadn't  seen  them  just  as  I  did,  there  wouldn't  have  been 
anything  left  of  them.  But  such  is  war,  and  its  losses  and  dangers.  O,  yes,  I 
certainly  know  and  shall  never  forget  so  much  about  your  regiment  at  Chancel 
lorsville." 

THE  CHANCELLOR  ESTATE, 

upon  which  the  main  battle  was  fought,  and  from  which  it  took  its  name,  was 
formerly  owned  by  George  Chancellor  who  settled  there  about  eighty-five  years 
ago.  He  was  a  rich  planter,  owning  a  large  number  of  slaves,  and  built  the 


Nciv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  105 

large  and  imposing  structure  standing  there  until  consumed  by  the  flames  at  the 
time  of  the  battle,  and  long  known  as  the  "  Chancellor  House."  The  place  itself 
with  its  surroundings,  was  called  Chancellorsville  ;  but  this  name  was  not  usually 
applied  to  the  house  until  after  the  war. 

This  house  was  situated  at  the  intersection  of  the  old  turnpike  and  the  plank 
road,  both  leading  to  Fredericksburg,  and  on  the  direct  route  from  that  city  to 
Orange  Court  House  and  Gordonsville.  It  was  a  great  resort  for  planters  and 
business  men  who  lived  in  or  between  those  places,  though  never  used  as  a  regu 
lar  hotel.  It  was  built  mostly  of  brick,  and  was  one  of  the  largest  and  best  fin 
ished  "F.  F.  V."*  mansions  in  the  State. 

The  house  now  standing  on  the  same  spot,  a  printed  engraving  of  which  is 
here  seen,  was  built  up  from  the  old  walls  of  the  west  wing  that  were  left  stand 
ing,  and  is  about  one  third  the  size  of  the  original  one.  The  estate  included 
about  eight  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  and  had  remained  in  the  Chancellor  family 
about  fifty  years,  being  sold  just  before  the  war.  It  is  now,  unless  recently  sold, 
owned  by  W.  N.  Wyeth,  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  but  is  under  the  care  and  super 
vision  of  Vespacian  Chancellor,  grandson  of  the  original  owner,  and  nephew  of 
Maj.  Sanford  Chancellor,  whose  widow,  Fanny  E.,  and  family  resided  there  at 
the  time  of  the  battle. 

After  the  war  she  resided  for  several  years  with  her  husband's  nephew,  above 
named,  where  the  author  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  and  conversing  with  her 
October  3,  1888,  and  where  she  continued  to  reside  until  her  death  a  few  years 
later,  when  almost  eighty-three  years  old.  In  answer  to  the  question,  "  I  suppose 
you  still  very  vividly  remember  that  day  and  its  terrors?"  she  replied  with  a  voice 
tremulous  with  emotion  as  well  as  age,  "  I  guess,  indeed,  I  do!"  placing  such  a 
forcible  but  sad  and  shuddering  emphasis  upon  the  last  word,  as  to  almost  make 
the  listener  think  he  was  on  that  field  again,  and  could  see  the  flames  consum 
ing  the  house  above  her  head. 

There  had  been  so  many  different  stories  told  and  published  about  the  burning 
of  the  building,  and  of  whom  and  how  many  were  in  it  beside  the  wounded  sol 
diers  at  the  time  it  caught  fire  from  the  rebel  shells  that  were  raining  upon  it,  that 
it  had  become  doubtful  if  any  of  them  were  true. 

It  appears,  however,  upon  investigation,  that  not  one  half  the  truth  has  ever 
been  told.  When  the  battle  commenced  on  Sunday  morning  there  were  thirteen 
or  fourteen  persons  in  the  house  that  were  living  there  and  in  houses  near  by, 
and  all  females  but  two  —  a  boy  and  a  baby.  These  were  Mrs.  Chancellor,  her 
six  grown  up  daughters,  her  son  about  sixteen  years  old,  two  of  the  neighbors  — 
one  with  a  baby  in  her  arms  —  and  two  or  three  colored  servants. 

When  the  fire  of  the  enemy  was  directed  against  the  house,  these  helpless  non- 
combatants  went  down  into  the  cellar,  where  they  remained  until  driven  out  by 
the  flames. 

At  the  time  the  house  caught  fire  the  Union  lines  had  been  pushed  back  across 
Fairview,  and  the  building  was  exposed  to  a  most  destructive  fire  from  the 
enemy's  guns,  some  of  which  were  now  occupying  the  very  ridge  in  the  woods 
where  the  Twelfth  but  a  short  time  before  had  been  fighting.  More  than  this, 
it  was  within  the  sweep  of  the  rebel  musketry,  bullets  constantly  striking  the 
house  or  flying  swiftly  past  it. 

*First  Families  in  Virginia. 


106  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

They  were  advised  therefore  by  Colonel  Dickinson,  of  Hooker's  staff',  to  wait 
awhile  and  see  if  the  fire  inside  could  not  be  put  out  or  kept  under  control  before 
taking  the  chances  of  what,  as  yet,  was  a  more  dangerous,  if  not  hotter  fire  out 
side.  But  soon  the  flames  had  made  such  progress  that  it  was  evident  they  must 
leave  the  house  or  be  burned  to  death  and  buried  in  its  ruins.  The  wounded, 
among  whom  were  Colonel  Potter  and  several  of  his  men,  had  been  all  removed, 
and  now  the  women,  assisted  and  encouraged  by  Colonel  Dickinson  and  a  brave 
and  kind  hearted  drummer  boy  (who  has  visited  the  family  two  or  three  times 
since  the  war,  but  whose  name  cannot  now  be  recalled)  ascended  from  the  cellar 
and  made  ready  for  their  fiery  exodus.  Fortunately  the  rebel  artillerists,  seeing 
the  house  in  flames,  had  ceased  to  make  it  a  target  for  their  guns,  and  the  mus 
ketry  fire  had  considerably  diminished.  Now,  then,  was  their  time  if  ever,  for  the 
flames  were  now  fiercely  raging  above  and  around  them,  except  the  side  toward 
which  they  hastened  for  egress,  and  pieces  of  the  burning  ruins  were  already 
falling  upon  their  heads. 

As  the  mother  at  the  head  of  the  family  reaches  the  door,  she  takes  one  wild 
look  and  hesitates ;  and  though  the  scorching  flames  are  making  every  moment's 
delay  perilous,  it  is  no  wonder  that  she  pauses.  The  terrible  fear  of  herself  and 
children  being  burned  to  death,  that  was  impelling  her  swiftly  on,  is,  for  the 
instant,  forgotten  at  the  awful  scene  of  destruction,  carnage,  and  death  that  now 
presents  itself  before  her.  What  a  situation  for  innocent,  inoffensive,  and  help 
less  humanity  was  this !  What  a  picture  for  a  master  artist's  brush  !  The  terror- 
stricken  mother,  standing  on  the  threshold  of  her  own  home,  that  is  fast 
crumbling  into  fiery  ruins  above  her  head,  with  her  six  daughters  and  youthful 
son  clinging  to  or  clustering  about  her,  and  her  servants  and  neighbors  pressing 
close  behind,  needs  but  the  smiling  face  of  the  baby  that,  all  unconscious  of 
danger,  is  securely  covered  and  closely  hugged  to  its  mother's  bosom,  to  com 
plete  the  group.  But  this  is  but  the  centre-piece  of  the  picture,  and  we  leave  the 
rest  for  the  imagination  of  the  reader ;  for  the  whole  scene  no  pencil  can  sketch, 
no  brush  can  paint,  and  no  pen  describe. 

Leaving  the  house,  conducted  by  the  gallant  colonel,  and  assisted  by  the 
drummer  and  other  soldiers,  the  pitiful  group,  hurrying  rapidly  forward  and 
keeping  the  burning  house  between  them  and  the  bullets  that  were  still  coming 
from  the  enemy's  front,  at  last  reached  the  protection  of  the  woods,  all  untouched 
by  the  flying  missiles  of  death,  but  by  no  means  unharmed.  One  of  the  daughters 
was  so  greatly  excited  and  frightened  that  the  blood  ran  from  her  nose  and 
mouth,  and  it  was  feared  she  would  bleed  to  death  before  it  could  be  stopped ; 
and  one  of  the  old  family  servants  was  so  terrified  that  she  lost  her  reason,  and 
never  recovered  it  to  the  day  of  her  death,  that  occurred  a  few  years  later. 

This  house  was  occupied  by  General  Hooker  as  his  Headquarters,  and  where 
he  was  disabled  for  some  time  from  holding  the  command  of  his  army.  He  was 
struck  by  a  piece  of  wood  that  was  split  off  by  a  solid  shot  or  shell  from  one  of 
the  posts  of  the  piazza,  near  which  he  was  standing,  and  while  just  about  to 
mount  his  horse.  He  was  picked  up  by  some  of  his  staff  and  carried  into  the 
house,  where  for  a  time  he  lay  in  a  semi-conscious  condition,  from  which  it  was 
feared  he  would  never  recover.  But  soon  rallying,  he  called  for  his  horse,  as  the 
idea  of  what  he  was  about  to  do  when  hit,  came  back  to  his  mind ;  and,  in  spite 
of  every  remonstrance,  mounted,  with  the  assistance  of  his  officers,  into  the 


Neu<  Hampshire   Volunteers.  107 

saddle,  and  rode  a  piece  into  the  field.  The  pain  from  reaction  of  the  shock  was 
so  severe,  however,  that  he  had  to  return  to  the  house  again. 

Colonels  Potter  and  Marsh  and  several  other  wounded  officers  and  men  of  the 
Twelfth  were  in  the  house  about  the  time  it  caught  fire,  and  when  one  of  the 
chimneys  was  knocked  down,  the  fire-place  tumbling  into  the  room  where  they 
lay,  making  such  a  jar  and  noise  that  it  seemed  as  if  the  whole  house  were  falling 
down  upon  them.  It  was  in  this  house,  also,  that  Chaplain  Ambrose  and 
Surgeon  Hunt  worked  so  bravely  and  nobly  for  the  suffering  wounded,  not  leav 
ing  it  until  forced  to  by  the  flames. 

It  has  been  stated  upon  the  authority  of  Surgeon  Jamison,  of  Whipple's 
division,  that  Captain  Angle  and  three  other  commissioned  officers  of  the  Eighty- 
seventh  New  York  Regiment  were  burned  to  death  in  this  house.  This,  as 
hoped,  was  not  correctly  reported,  although,  in  the  hurry  and  confusion,  it  is  not 
altogether  improbable  that  some  of  the  living  wounded  might  have  been  left  there 
to  be  consumed  by  the  flames. 

The  picture  of  the  building  here  seen  is  from  a  photograph  taken  at  the  time 
of  the  visit  of  the  survivors  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment  and  others  to  the  battle-field, 
October  3,  1888,  and  shows  upon  the  staging  and  roofs,  the  workmen  who  were 
then  shingling  the  house,  the  team  of  Vespasian  Chancellor,  superintendent  of 
the  estate,  with  Mr.  Chancellor  and  Reuben  T.  Leavitt  of  the  Twelfth  in  the 
carriage,  and  two  other  ex-members  of  the  regiment  —  Frank  L.  Hughes  and  the 
writer  hereof — sitting  on  the  fence. 

The  brick  end  of  the  building,  shown  in  the  picture,  is  the  part  of  the  old 
building  left  standing  at  the  time  of  the  battle ;  and  the  dark  spots  thereon  are 
solid  shot  thrown  by  the  Confederates,  and  that  are  still  to  be  seen  sticking  into 
brick  walls. 

JACKSON  MONUMENT. 

It  stands  within  a  few  feet  of  the  plank  road,  about  a  mile  west  from  the  Chan 
cellor  House,  and  less  than  eighty  rods  from  where  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire 
Volunteers  fought  on  the  morning  of  the  third  day  of  May,  1863. 

It  is  built  of  Virginia  granite,  stands  about  twelve  feet  high,  and  has  upon  it 
the  following  inscriptions : 

On  the  side  of  the  pedestal  facing  the  road,  in  large  capitals,  is  the  name 
"Jackson,"  and  on  the  die  above  are  the  words,  "On  this  spot  fell,  mortally 
wounded,  Thomas  J.  Jackson,  Lt.  Gen.,  C.  S.  A.,  May  2d,  1863."  On  the  east 
side,  "  '  There  is  Jackson  standing  like  a  stone  wall.' — Bee  at  Manassas."  North 
side,  "'Could  I  have  directed  events,  I  should  have  chosen,  for  the  good  of  the 
country,  to  have  been  disabled  in  your  stead  ;  I  congratulate  you  on  the  victory 
which  is  due  to  your  skill  and  energy.' — Gen.  R.  E.  Lee."  West  side,  "  'Let 
us  pass  over  the  river  and  rest  under  the  shade  of  the  trees' — his  last  words." 

There  has  been  considerable  dispute,  even  by  the  Confederate  soldiers,  as  to 
the  exact  spot  where  Jackson  fell,  many  claiming  it  was  thirty  or  forty  rods  west 
from  where  the  monument  stands,  and  nearly  opposite  where  the  Twelfth  lay  in 
support  of  the  batteries  Saturday  night.  It  is  also  a  question  that  can  never  be 
answered  with  certainty,  whether  he  was  killed  by  Federal  troops  or  his  own  men, 
but  probably  by  the  latter. 


io8  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

AFTER  THOUGHTS  OF  CHANCELLORSVILLE. 

"Can  I  go  to  Haverhill  on  this  train?"  the  writer  once  hastily  inquired  of  a 
ticket  master  just  as  a  train  was  about  starting  from  the  .depot,  meaning  simply  if 
it  was  the  Haverhill  bound  train. 

"Well,  I  don't  know,"  replied  the  ticket  agent,  smiling  at  the  way  the  ques 
tion  was  put,  "we  can  start  you  in  about  two  minutes,  \mftgetting  there,  you 
know,  is  quite  another  thing." 

It  was  just  after  two  or  three  serious  accidents  on  that  and  connecting  roads, 
and  the  long,  uncertain  answer  to  the  question  was  easy  to  understand,  even 
without  the  special  emphasis  that  was  given  to  the  above  italicized  words. 

Thus  it  was  when  "  Fighting  Joe  Hooker,"  with  men  and  mules  packed  with 
ammunition  and  rations,  started  for  Richmond.  His  plan  of  the  campaign  was 
good,  his  combinations  timely  and  well  ordered,  and  his  start-out  in  every  way 
promising.  But  the  history  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  had  been  one  long 
chapter  of  defeats  and  disasters,  from  Bull  Run  to  Fredericksburg,  to  say  nothing 
about  the  "mud  march";  and  General  Hooker,  with  this  dark  chapter  before 
him,  and  knowing  that  he  had  not  only  General  Lee  and  his  army  in  the  field  but 
General  Halleck  and  his  staff  at  Washington  to  contend  with,  was  weighted 
down  with  fears  and  doubts  from  the  hour  that  the  great  responsibility  rested 
upon  him. 

Had  he  had  the  same  confidence  in  the  courage  and  ability  of  his  men  that 
they  had  of  the  same  qualities  in  him,  the  result  would  have  been  much  more 
satisfactory,  even  if  the  objective  point  of  his  campaign  had  not  been  reached. 

W^hen  the  sun  of  that  sad  Sabbath  day  went  down,  notwithstanding  the  ill- 
fortune  that  had  compelled  him  to  contract  his  lines,  and  yield  a  large  portion  of 
the  field,  he  had  at  least  seven  out  of  ten  chances  still  left  to  him. 

Though  several  of  his  corps  had  been  roughly  handled,  and  were  consequently 
more  or  less  disabled,  yet  his  army  was  by  no  means  defeated. 

Even  the  Third  Corps,  that  had  borne  the  brunt  of  the  battle,  was  in  as  good  a 
condition  to  renew  the  fight  Monday  morning  as  one  half  of  the  rebel  forces. 
The  remark  has  often  been  made,  that  Hooker  was  a  good  fighter,  but  he  lacked 
the  ability  to  command  a  great  army.  And  such  will  doubtless  be  the  verdict  of 
history,  notwithstanding  the  acknowledged  fact,  that  his  move  against  the  Con 
federate  army  —  then  behind  its  blood-cemented  defenses  at  Fredericksburg, 
and  separated  from  him  by  a  wide  and  swiftly  flowing  river  —  was  so  ably 
planned  and  brilliantly  executed,  that  when  he  halted  his  advance  force  of  forty 
thousand  men  at  Chancellorsville,  he  had  more  than  half  a  victory  won,  without 
the  loss  of  a  single  man  or  gun. 

If  this  was  not  generalship  of  the  highest  order,  then  search  history,  and  tell 
where,  from  Alexander  to  Bonaparte,  you  can  find  it. 

And  as  a  further  reply,  if  any  more  is  needed,  to  the  charge  of  incompetency, 
another  important  fact,  though  not  so  often  considered,  may  be  presented,  vix.  : 

Joseph  Hooker  was  the  only  general  of  the  Union  army  who  ever  proved 
himself  to  be  more  than  a  match  for  his  great  antagonist,  the  hoary-headed  Nestor 
of  the  Rebellion,  Gen.  Robert  E.  Lee,  in  the  great  game  of  strategetics,  from 
the  time  the  latter  took  command  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  to  the  time 
he  surrendered  it  at  Appomattox. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  109 

If  Hooker  showed  no  ability  in  this,  then  was  Lee  greatly  in  want  of  it. 

Instead  of  General  Hooker  being  unable  to  command  so  large  an  army  as  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  he  was  probably,  everything  considered,  the  ablest  com 
mander  it  ever  had,  excepting  General  Grant. 

And  yet,  because  he  failed  once,  and  was  not  permitted  to  try  again,  he  must 
take  his  place  in  history  as  a  failure. 

"  So  much  to  fortune  and  to  fate." 

The  world  judges  its  great  actors  by  the  results  of  their  efforts,  when  often 
times  nothing  could  be  more  unjust;  and  the  muse  of  history  thinks  herself 
justified  in  simply  recording  the  common  opinion  of  the  public  mind,  regardless 
of  the  correctness  of  that  opinion,  and  only  too  careful  to  suppress  any  opinion 
of  her  own  that  may  chance  to  run  counter  to  it. 

But  was  Hooker  in  nothing  lacking?  By  no  means,  for  it  is  only  the  centuries 
that  produce  a  military  genius. 

But  first,  as  referred  to  in  the  preceding  chapter,  he  was  sadly  lacking  in 
strong  and  efficient  corps  commanders  who  had  the  ability  and  courage  to  take 
command  of  the  army  even  for  a  single  hour,  though  that  was  the  crisis  hour  of 
the  battle,  and  their  chief  lay  prostrate  from  the  effects  of  a  shot  from  the 
enemy's  batteries. 

And  thus  was  the  grand  reserve  of  over  thirty-five  thousand  men,  that  Hooker 
had  purposely  held  back  to  decide  the  battle  and  give  him  a  complete  victory, 
allowed  to  remain  inactive  while  the  rest  of  the  Union  troops  were  being  driven 
from  the  field. 

General  Hooker  was  also  lacking  in  the  good-will  and  hearty  cooperation  of 
his  superior  in  rank,  General  Halleck,  who  was  chiefly  instrumental  in  getting 
him  removed  from  the  command  of  an  army  that  he  had  so  skilfully  handled  as 
to  restrict  and  control  the  movement  of  the  enemy,  and  compel  General  Lee  to 
turn  back  and  retrace  his  steps  from  Harrisburg,  that  he  had  hoped  to  capture, 
and  fight  a  battle  before  he  was  ready,  and  upon  ground  not  of  his  own  chosing. 

But  if  Hooker  himself  was  lacking,  as  already  admitted,  it  was  not  in  ability, 
but  in  courage,  the  very  last  thing  of  which  his  bitterest  enemy  would  have  ever 
thought  of  accusing  him. 

But  between  the  courage  here  referred  to,  and  what  is  generally  understood  by 
the  name,  there  is  a  very  great  and  important  difference.  Courage  to  meet  per 
sonal  danger,  or  face  death  on  the  battle-field  is  one,  but  not  the  only  kind  nec 
essary  for  a  great  general  to  possess. 

The  surgeon  who  has  the  courage  and  nerve  to  bravely  stand,  and  cooly  act 
at  his  post  of  duty,  while  the  shells  of  the  enemy  are  bursting  over  his  head  and 
all  around  him,  may  not,  at  the  same  time,  have  the  courage  to  cut  the  mangled 
limb  from  the  wounded  body  of  the  poor  suffering  soldier,  although  he  knows  it 
is  the  only  chance  to  save  him,  but  fears  that  he  will  die  upon  the  amputation 
table,  with  the  warm  blood  of  his  victim  upon  his  hands,  if  he  undertakes  it. 

"How  dare  you  take  such  a  risk"?  said  one  of  Cromwell's  officers  to  him 
as  he  was  about  to  order  his  soldiers  to  enter  the  halls  of  the  King's  Parliament. 

"I  dare  do  anything  to  attain  my  object"  was  the  reply  of  the  lion-hearted 
leader  of  the  Iron  Sides,  and,  instead  of  being  hung  for  treason,  he  became  Lord 
Protector  of  the  Realm,  and,  when  he  died,  was  buried  with  the  greatest  honors 
in  Westminster' Abbey. 


no  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Had  Hooker  been  as  willing  to  take  the  risk  and  the  responsibility  as  Lee  was 
in  ordering  the  last  desperate  charge  at  Gettysburg,  or  as  Grant  was  in  swinging 
his  whole  army  south  of  the  James,  after  his  bloody  repulse  at  Cold  Harbor, 
leaving  Washington  and  the  whole  North  almost  entirely  unprotected,  the  end  of 
his  campaign,  so  brilliantly  entered  upon,  would  probably  have  been  as  glorious 
as  its  beginning  was  propitious,  and  Richmond  his  reward. 

It  was  the  courage  of  his  convictions  that  would  have  prompted  him  to  act, 
regardless  of  all  consequences,  that  was  chiefly  wanting. 

A  good  general,  it  is  said,  will  look  out  for  his  lines  of  retreat,  but  he  is  a 
better  one  who,  when  the  exigency  demands,  dares,  like  Cortez,  to  burn  his 
bridges  behind  him,  determined  to  go  through  or  go  down,  but  never  to  go  back. 

Had  the  rising  waters  of  the  Rappahannock  swept  away,  as  they  threatened  to, 
the  pontoon  bridges  at  United  States  Ford,  after  the  great  rain  of  Tuesday 
afternoon,  it  would  have  been  of  the  greatest  advantage  to  the  Union  commander, 
for  the  new  and  neccessary  kind  of  courage,  born  of  desperation,  that  it  would 
have  inspired  in  him,  was  all  that  was  needed. 

Advance  or  surrender  would  then  have  been  the  stern  alternative,  and  who 
that  was  there  can  doubt  which  it  would  have  been,  or  what  would  have  been  the 
result  ? 

In  technical  terms  his  strategetics  were  most  admirable,  and  his  tactics,  though 
they  have  been  severely  criticised,  were  in  the  main  good,  and  would  have  suc 
ceeded,  despite  the  crippling  of  his  right  wing  by  the  unexpected  attack  of  Jack 
son's  army,  had  they  been  tenaciously  adhered  to  and  vigorously  carried  out  to 
the  end.  And  it  would  not  be  claiming  very  much  to  say  that  he  was  the  supe 
rior  of  General  Halleck,  even  in  logistics. 

Had  he  supplemented  his  encouraging  and  somewhat  boastful  announcement 
made  to  his  army  three  days  before  the  battle,  by  another  the  next  day  after,  stat 
ing,  in  substance,  that  he  had  started  for  Richmond,  and  was  going  there  in  spite 
of  anything  the  enemy  had  done,  or  could  do  to  prevent  him ;  that  although 
the  Rappahannock  was  behind  him,  and  what  was  left  of  the  rebel  army  in  front, 
he  proposed  to  move  forward  again  at  once,  with  nearly  forty  thousand  fresh 
troops  to  take  the  advance ;  and  called  upon  his  troops  for  one  more  effort  to 
make  his  words  of  promise  good,  Chancellorsville  would  not  now  be  found 
recorded  in  history  as  a  Confederate  victory. 

But  it  must  be  admitted,  even  by  his  most  enthusiastic  admirers,  that  in  stub- 
bornistics,  that  part  which  though  not  found  in  the  books  of  military  science,  nor 
taught  at  West  Point,  is  none  the  less  essential,  for  it  made  Grant  invincible, 
he  was  again  somewhat  lacking. 

But  what  has  seemed  strange  to  many  was  his  neglect  to  carry  out  his  original 
plan  of  battle  to  keep  a  heavy  force  in  reserve,  by  forcing  a  desperate  fight  from 
those  engaged,  and  then,  when  the  enemy  was  well  nigh  exhausted,  letting  that 
reserve  sweep  clean  the  field. 

This,  as  will  be  remembered,  was  the  kind  of  battle-plan  that,  with  the  eye  of 
genius  to  direct  and  the  "  Old  Guard"  to  execute,  made  Napoleon  Bonaparte  the 
greatest  military  chieftain  of  modern  times,  and  would  as  surely  have  given 
another  star  of  rank  to  Hooker,  and  been  another  step  toward  that  lofty  summit 
of  enduring  fame  later  reached  by  the  less  brilliant  but  more  determined  hero  of 
Vicksburg  and  Appomattox,  had  the  thirty-five  thousand  fresh  troops  been  ordered 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  in 

in.  But  those  who  wonder  at  this  fatal  neglect  upon  that  day,  and  think  because 
only  a  part  of  his  army  was  engaged  when  the  whole  of  it  was  so  badly  needed, 
that  he  had  more  men  under  his  command  than  he  had  the  capacity  to  well  han 
dle,  forget,  or  never  knew  what  has  already  been  referred  to,  that  at  this  critical 
and  decisive  moment  he  was  lying  prostrate  and  senseless  inside  the  Chancellor 
House,  with  no  one  who  dared  to  act  in  his  place,  and  that  before  he  had  suffi 
ciently  recovered  to  again  take  command  it  was  too  late  to  retrieve  the  day. 

This  very  important  fact  is  not,  it  seems,  sufficiently  considered  in  discussing 
the  causes  of  Hooker's  failure  at  Chancellorsville,  and  especially  as  bearing  upon 
the  final  result  of  his  campaign  in  retreating  from  the  battle-field. 

While  every  one,  who  knows  anything  of  the  history  of  this  battle,  acknowl 
edges  the  damaging  if  not  fatal  effect  of  this  accident  to  him,  as  determining  the 
battle  on  Sunday,  few  or  none  seem  to  give  it  any  serious  thought  as  connected 
with  his  decision  to  retreat  the  following  day.  And  yet  it  needs  no  physician's 
certificate  to  convince  any  reasonable  person  that  from  such  a  severe  concussion 
of  the  brain  as  prostrated  and  paralyzed  him  on  Sunday  noon,  he  could  not  have 
so  fully  recovered  on  Monday  night  as  to  have  his  mind  as  clear  and  his  nerves 
as  strong  as  if  nothing  had  happened  to  him. 

The  great  French  captain,  whose  name  was  once  the  terror  of  Europe,  and  is 
still  the  wonder  of  the  world,  said  that  in  battle  five  minutes  may  decide  the  fate 
of  empires ;  and  if  it  is  the  five-minute  acts  that  decide  great  battles,  what  shall 
be  said  of  the  loss  of  a  full  hour  at  the  very  crisis  point  of  the  contest?  Certainly 
there  was  a  fate  in  this,  if  in  all  else  Hooker  was  at  fault. 

Moreover,  he  had  been  driven  from  the  field  for  not  being  able  to  do  the  very 
thing  that  Lincoln  had  suggested  to  him,  to  put  in  all  his  men ;  should  he 
now  disobey  his  written  injunction,  twice  repeated,  to  "beware  of  rashness?" 
The  safety  of  the  nation  was  in  his  hands,  the  responsibility  a  great  and  grave 
one,  and  he  in  no  physical  or  mental  condition  to  either  decide  or  act. 

And  so  we  end  this  second  chapter  on  this  great  battle  and  the  part  taken  in 
it  by  the  Twelfth  Regiment,  as  we  commenced  the  first,  and  say  that  He,  who  in 
His  wise  providence  so  often  contravenes  the  ablest  plans  and  strongest  purposes 
of  man,  can  alone  answer  the  question  why  Hooker  failed  at  Chancellorsville. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

THE  GETTYSBURG  CAMPAIGN. 

This  chapter  commences  with  the  first  movement  of  the  regiment  in 
that  severe  campaign  that  culminated  in  the  great  and  decisive  battle  of 
Gettysburg. 

On  the  tenth  hour  of  the  loth  day  of  June,  1863,  but  little  more  than 
a  month  alter  the  bloody  field  of  Chancellorsville,  marching  orders  were 
received,  and  the  next  day  the  Twelfth  broke  camp,  about  3  o'clock 
p.  M.,  and  marched  to  General  Birney's  Headquarters,  where  it,  and  the 
Eighty-fourth  Pennsylvania  joined  the  First  Brigade  of  the  Second  Divis 
ion,  commanded  respectively  by  Gen.  Joseph  B.  Carr  and  Gen.  Andrew 
A.  Humphreys. 

The  Third  Division  of  the  Third  Corps  had  been  so  broken  up  and  cut 
to  pieces  at  Chancellorsville  —  its  commander  being  killed,  its  brigades 
reduced  to  regiments,  its  regiments  to  companies,  and  the  companies  to 
mere  squads  of  ten  or  fifteen  men  —  that  it  was  disorganized,  and  the 
remaining  fragments  of  it  put  into  the  First  and  Second  Divisions. 

It  was  supposed  from  this  that  the  move  was  only  for  a  change  of 
camps ;  and  the  men  loaded  themselves  up  with  everything  that  might 
possibly  be  of  some  use  to  them  in  the  new  quarters  which  they  expected 
they  were  to  establish,  but  half  a  mile  away. 

No  sooner  was  this  pleasing  delusion  of  only  a  change  of  camping 
ground,  so  far  dispelled  as  to  indicate,  instead,  a  change  of  base  for  the 
whole  army,  than  the  work  of  unloading  commenced,  and  continued 
through  the  long  hours  of  that  hot  afternoon,  until,  when  the  welcome 
bivouac  gave  rest  to  weary  limbs  at  Hartwood  Church,  late  in  the  even 
ing,  little  or  nothing,  save  gun,  equipments,  and  blanket  roll  —  the 
soldier's  absolute  necessities  on  the  march  —  remained  of  the  pack-mule 
load  with  which  they  started. 

"We  are  in  for  it  again,  and  God  only  knows  when  and  where  we 
shall  come  out,"  was  the  remark  of  one  member  of  the  Twelfth,  and  he 
simply  expressed  the  serious  thought  of  all.  Yet  though  speculation 
was  rife,  and  the  cause  and  purpose  of  the  sudden  movement  was  freely 
discussed,  not  one  in  the  whole  army,  including  General  Hooker  himself, 
knew  enough  of  the  plan  or  design  of  the  enemy  to  enable  him  to  any 
more  than  guess  what  would  be  the  objective  point. 

Certain  it  is,  that  no  member  of  the  Twelfth,  when  he  left  camp  on 
that  day  at  Falmouth,  Va.,  had  the  faintest  idea  that  his  next  permanent 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  113 

camping  ground  would  be  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.  And  it  is  equally  cer 
tain,  that  some  of  the  most  brave  and  patriotic,  had  they  known  the 
terrible  marches  but  just  ahead  of  them,  would  never  have  started,  but 
took  the  advice  of  Dr.  Fowler,  and  went  to  the  Potomac  Creek  Hospital. 
Though  sick  and  unable  even  for  light  duty  in  camp,  they  wanted  to 
keep  with  the  regiment  as  long  as  possible.  But  every  day  left  one  or 
more  of  them  behind  to  die  or  to  be  taken  along  on  teams  or  in  ambu 
lances,  until  they  could  be  sent  to  some  general  hospital,  or  left  at  some 
place  on  the  march  where  they  would  be  cared  for.  And  a  few,  with 
pluck  and  nerve  remarkable,  were  enabled  by  the  assistance  of  their 
comrades  and  the  kindness  of  officers,  who  let  them  ride  in  their  own 
saddles  or  got  them  a  chance  to  ride  on  the  teams,  to  keep  along  with 
the  regiment,  either  holding  their  own,  or  even  gaining  strength  when 
strong  men  failed,  and  fought  for  victory  and  peace  on  the  field  of  Gettys 
burg,  where  some  of  them  sealed  their  heroic  record  of  fortitude  and 
patriotism  with  their  life's  blood. 

From  Hartwood  Church  the  march  was  resumed  at  6  o'clock  the  next 
morning ;  and,  though  the  day  was  exceedingly  hot,  twenty-six  miles 
were  marched,  through  clouds  of  dust,  on  the  Warrington  and  Alexan 
dria  turnpike,  without  halting,  except  for  a  few  moments  at  a  time. 

The  regiment  passed  Kelley's  Ford  about  5  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  crossed 
the  Orange  &  Alexandria  railroad,  near  where  it  spans  the  north  branch 
of  the  Rappahannock,  just  as  it  was  getting  dark. 

An  hour  or  two  later  the  brigade  filed  off  into  a  field  and  stacked  arms, 
as  it  was  supposed  for  the  night.  But  hardly  had  the  men  stretched 
themselves  out  upon  the  ground  to  rest,  before  they  were  called  up, 
ordered  into  line  again,  and  obliged  to  march  about  three  miles  further 
before  making  a  final  halt,  near  the  middle  of  the  night,  at  Beverly 
Ford. 

This  was  one  of  the  hardest  marches  ever  made  by  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac. 

A  day's  halt  here  was  absolutely  necessary  to  allow  time  for  the  men, 
who  were  obliged  to  fall  out,  to  come  up  and  get  sufficiently  rested  to 
proceed.  A  cavalry  engagement  had  occurred  at  this  place  a  few  days 
before,  and  wounded  horses,  left  to  their  fate,  were  found  near  the  battle 
field. 

In  the  afternoon  a  part  of  the  Twelfth  went  out  near  the  river  on 
picket,  and  at  night  there  was  a  detail  from  the  regiment,  and  others  in 
the  brigade,  to  throw  up  a  redoubt. 

The  next  day  was  the  Sabbath,  and  it  proved,  unexpectedly,  to  be  what 
it  was  designed  for  —  a  day  of  rest.  But  when  evening  came,  at  the 
hour  of  9,  another  start  was  made,  and  a  night's  march  ended  at  7  o'clock 
the  next  morning  at  a  place  about  half  way  between  Rappahannock 
Junction  and  Catlett's  Station. 

A  few  hours  of  rest  and  sleep  were  given   the   troops  here,  and  then 


H4  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

twelve  more  long  miles  to  Manassas  Junction  were  painfully  measured 
out  by  weary  limbs  and  blistered  feet,  with  only  a  short  stop  at  Bristoe 
Station  for  "hard-tack"  and  coffee  refreshments.  This  was  a  harder 
march  even  than  that  of  the  i2th,  for  the  men  were  not  in  so  good  a  con 
dition  to  make  it,  their  feet  being  so  badly  blistered  that  some  left  blood 
in  their  tracks  through  the  hot  sand. 

The  heat  was  intense,  and  the  dust  almost  suffocating  ;  and  but  for 
the  use  of  handkerchiefs,  wet  as  often  as  possible,  and  worn  over  the 
faces  of  the  men,  the  number  that  were  obliged  to  fall  out  would  have 
been  greatly  increased. 

It  was  past  midnight  before  guns  were  stacked,  and  their  weary  bearers 
allowed  the  restful  sleep  of  the  bivouac. 

From  9  o'clock  Sunday  evening  to  the  hour  of  this  last  halt,  the  regi 
ment  had  marched  between  thirty  and  forty  miles,  with  little  rest  by  day 
or  sleep  at  night,  and  "tired  nature's  sweet  restorer"  was  never  a  more 
welcome  guest. 

General  Humphreys,  commanding  the  division,  referring  to  this  march 
says  : 

"  It  was  painful  in  the  extreme,  for  owing  to  the  continued  drought 
streams,  usually  of  considerable  magnitude,  were  dried  up,  the  dust  lay 
some  inches  deep  on  the  road-way,  and  the  fields  were  equally  uncom 
fortable.  The  suffering  from  heat,  dust,  thirst,  fatigue,  and  exhaustion 
was  very  great.  It  was  near  midnight  when  the  division  reached  Man 
assas  Junction,  after  a  march  varying  in  the  different  brigades  from 
twenty-five  to  twenty-nine  miles." 

General  Carr,  the  brigade  commander,  writes  about  it  as  follows  : 

"This  march  was  one  of  the  most  severe  in  my  experience  ;  the  air 
being  almost  suffocating,  the  dust  blinding,  and  the  heat  intolerable. 
Many  men  suffered  from  coup  de  soltel,  and  a  large  number  sank  by  the 
wayside  utterly  exhausted." 

It  was  now  not  only  evident,  but  beyond  dispute,  that  however  urgent 
the  call  the  infantry  could  not  much  longer  respond,  at  the  exhaustive  rate 
of  the  last  few  days. 

The  great  military  train  was  being  propelled  at  a  dangerously  high 
mark  on  the  gauge,  and  it  became  absolutely  necessary,  to  keep  it  longer 
united  on  the  track,  to  "  slow  up." 

If  the  river  fords  and  mountain  passes  must  be  guarded  and  defended, 
to  insure  the  safety  of  Washington  or  other  northern  cities,  the  cavalry 
must  be  depended  upon  to  do  it,  until  the  slow  but  stubborn  musketeers 
could  get  up.  So  Tuesday  was  a  day  of  rest,  the  only  move  by  the 
Twelfth  being  a  change  of  camping  ground  to  get  nearer  water. 

On  Wednesday,  the  i7th,  the  division  moved  slowly  forward,  cross 
ing  Bull  Run  at  Blackburn's  Ford  about  noon,  where  a  short  halt  was 
made,  and  the  rich  pleasure  of  a  cool,  cleansing  bath  was  greatly 
enjoyed.  It  was  an  ablution  long  to  be  remembered,  and  its  effect,  sup- 


New  Hampshire-   Volunteers.  115 

plemented  by  a  haversack  lunch,  was  so  refreshing  and  invigorating 
that  the  afternoon  march  to  Centreville  seemed  but  a  pastime  as  compared 
with  some  of  the  days  just  past. 

Remaining  near  Centreville  until  nearly  dark  the  next  day  (for  which 
all  were  thankful,  for  it  was  extremely  hot),  the  regiment  moved  a  mile  or 
two  nearer  the  village  during  a  severe  thunder  shower  which  commenced 
before  starting,  the  water  running  in  brooklets  under  the  shelter-tents. 

Here  was  the  first  opportunity  since  leaving  Falmouth  of  mailing  let 
ters  home. 

It  rained  hard  during  the  night,  and  the  next  day's  march  of  twelve 
miles  to  Gum  Springs  was  through  mud  and  water  instead  of  heat  and 
dust.  During  the  day  the  mercury  fell  thirty  or  forty  degrees,  and  so 
great  and  sudden  a  change  of  temperature  in  a  few  hours,  followed  by  a 
cold  storm  that  set  in  just  as  the  troops  had  pitched  their  tents,  caused 
much  suffering  during  the  night  among  the  rank  and  file,  who,  like  most 
of  the  Twelfth,  had  nothing  but  a  rubber  blanket  and  piece  of  shelter-tent 
to  serve  as  both  bed  and  covering.  Sadly,  indeed,  did  they  now  need 
the  overcoats  and  woolen  blankets  they  had  thrown  away. 

But  let  no  one  censure  them  for  their  seeming  folly  or  imprudence,  for 
the  want  of  them  now,  great  as  it  was,  could  not  half  compensate  for  the 
burden  of  them  through  the  terrible  days  of  their  march  hither.  Men  are 
not  often  so  wisely  prudent  as  to  save  for  a  future  contingency  that  which 
is  a  source  of  present  misery.  The  crew  of  the  sinking  ship  do  not  hesi 
tate  to  throw  overboard  the  cargo,  because  some  part  of  it  may  be  needed 
before  the  voyage  is  ended. 

The  whole  region  of  country  along  the  line  of  the  last  few  days'  march 
was  marked  by  sad  evidences  of  war's  desolating  hand.  All  along  the 
railroad  were  the  ruins  of  houses,  mills,  cars,  stations,  and  bridges  that 
had  been  burned,  and  old  soldiers  pointed  out  several  fields  of  sanguinary 
encounter. 

The  Third  Corps  remained  in  camp  at  Gum  Springs  for  several  days. 
It  was  a  dreary,  dismal,  swamp-like  place  to  stop  in,  but  the  stop  was  now 
of  much  greater  importance  to  man  and  beast  than  the  place.  The  woods 
around  were  filled  with  guerillas,  and  several  Union  soldiers  who  had 
straggled  from  the  line  or  encampment,  were  found  lying  dead  in  the 
woods  with  a  bullet  hole  through  their  heads  or  bodies,  or  hanging  from 
the  limbs  of  trees.  Had  they  never  been  found,  they  would  have  been 
recorded  as  :'  absent  without  leave,"  and  their  children,  if  any,  and 
relatives  would  always  have  had  to  bear  the  stigma  of  their  being  desert 
ers.  Such  is  war,  and  so  little  is  it  known,  in  some  instances,  of  the 
actual  facts  in  accounting  for  the  men. 

The  second  day  at  Gum  Springs  artillery  firing  was  heard  at  Snicker's 
Gap  or  Aldie,  and  soon  the  whole  division  was  ordered  out,  and  a  line  of 
battle  formed  all  around  the  open  ground  of  the  encampment ;  and  every 
day  thereafter,  the  Twelfth,  with  other  regiments,  stood  to  arms,  ready  to 


n6  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

repel  an  expected  attack  of  Stuart's  cavalry.  Hundreds  of  sick,  from  the 
different  commands,  were  sent  off  to  general  hospitals  from  this  place, 
a  number  of  whom  were  from  the  Twelfth. 

On  the  25th  the  division  moved  northward  again,  and  for  the  next  few 
days  marched  with  greater  rapidity,  if  possible,  than  before.  Space  and 
time  were  now  important  factors  in  General  Hooker's  calculations,  for  the 
whole  rebel  army  was  on  the  north  side  of  the  Potomac  before  midnight 
of  the  26th ;  and  close  following,  as  well  as  watching,  on  the  part  of 
the  Union  commander,  had  become  a  vital  necessity,  since  upon  his  vigi 
lance  and  activity,  as  well  as  ability,  depended  the  future  destiny  of  his 
country. 

From  Gum  Springs  to  Edward's  Ferry,  a  distance  of  fifteen  miles,  the 
troops  were  hurried  forward,  with  only  a  few  five-minute  halts  to  take 
breath.  Immediately  crossing  the  Potomac  at  5  P.  M.  on  a  pontoon 
bridge,  without  stopping  long  enough  even  for  a  sip  of  coffee,  the  division 
at  once  entered  upon  the  famous  "  tow-path  march,"  following  the  Ohio 
and  Chesapeake  canal  ten  or  twelve  miles  further  to  somewhere  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Monocacy  river,  where  the  troops  bivouacked  between  12 
and  i  o'clock  the  next  morning. 

The  adverb  "somewhere,"  above  used,  has  a  special  signification  in  this 
connection,  which  will  be  better  understood  a  little  further  on.  About 
dark  it  began  to  rain,  and  soon  the  path  was  but  a  narrow  stretch  of  mud, 
trodden  by  many  thousand  feet  into  mortar-like  consistency. 

After  marching  all  day,  with  no  time  to  rest  or  eat,  a  slow  march  on  a 
moonlight  night  and  on  a  hard  and  wide  road  would  have  been  severe 
enough,  to  say  nothing  about  nature's  urgent  call  for  sleep,  when  the  toil 
some  day  has  passed  and  pitying  night  is  not  allowed  to  give  relief ;  but 
when  the  long  march  ends  not  with  the  day  but  continues  mile  after  mile 
and  hour  after  hour,  through  rain  and  mud  and  enveloped  in  Cimmerian 
darkness,  with  no  time  or  place  to  rest,  and  no  prospect  of  soon  getting  a 
chance  to,  while  the  mud  that  clogs  and  burdens  the  already  overtaxed 
limbs  gets  deeper  and  deeper  on  the  earth  beneath,  and  the  rain  pours 
down  incessantly  from  the  heavens  above,  human  patience  and  endurance 
become  exhausted,  reason  and  mercy  remonstrate,  and  the  end,  however 
near  or  desirable,  must  wait  the  necessary  time  and  means.  Such,  most 
decidedly,  was  the  conclusion  of  the  suffering  veterans  of  General  Hum- 
phreys's  command  on  that  terrible  night's  march. 

Whether  Washington  stood  or  fell,  the  nation  survived  or  perished, 
they  would  not,  because  they  could  not,  go  any  further  without  rest.  So, 
at  least,  all  felt,  and  many  truly  thought,  for  to  them  rest  was  an  absolute 
necessity.  But  some  had  the  courage  and  strength  to  hold  out  longer 
than  others ;  and  when  one  was  obliged  to  stop,  his  comrade  or  tent-mate, 
rather  than  leave  him  alone  and  uncared  for,  would  stop  with  him,  while 
others  near  by  and  just  on  the  point,  perhaps,  of  giving  up  themselves, 
would  stop  with  them  ;  and  so,  at  first  by  twos  and  fours,  and  then  at 


JVcw  Hampshire   Volunteers.  117 

last  by  tens  and  scores,  the  men  fell  out  and  found,  where  best  they 
could,  a  resting  place  for  the  remainder  of  the  night. 

Still  the  general  and  his  staff  rode  on,  as  if  unmindful  of  his  suffering 
followers,  or  thinking,  perhaps,  he  had  them  now  where  they  could 
not  straggle,  until,  when  he  halted  about  midnight  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Monocacy,  they  were  scattered,  and  most  of  them  soundly  sleeping,  all 
along  the  river's  bank  from  there  back  nearly  half  the  way  to  Edward's 
Ferry.  And  this  is  how  near,  as  before  referred  to,  the  division  got  to 
the  Monocacy  that  night.  Many  incidents,  both  serious  and  amusing, 
of  that  memorable  march  might  be  related.  Several  slipped  or  stumbled 
in  the  darkness,  and  fell  into  the  canal.  Two  or  three  of  the  Twelfth 
happening  to  have  a  piece  of  candle  each  in  their  haversacks,  lighted 
and  stuck  them  into  the  muzzles  of  their  guns,  and  in  this  way  lighted  up 
the  pathway  for  themselves  and  comrades. 

It  has  been  said  that  General  Humphreys  purposely  took  the  narrow 
tow-path  ridge  between  the  canal  and  the  river  that  it  followed,  instead 
of  a  good,  wide  road  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  to  prevent  straggling. 
If  this  was  true,  he  doubtless  saw,  when  he  awoke  the  next  morning, 
where  he  missed  it. 

But,  whatever  his  object,  the  result  was  the  same,  and  he  has  left  on 
record  his  confession  of  the  severity  of  the  march.  He  says,  "  The 
whole  command,  officers  and  men,  were  more  exhausted  by  this  march 
than  by  that  of  the  I4th  and  i5th."  The  reader  has  but  to  refer  back  to 
his  testimony  upon  what  the  soldiers  suffered  on  that  march  to  understand 
somewhat  of  their  misery  and  suffering  in  this. 

The  statement  will  not  probably  be  contradicted,  that  no  division  of  the 
whole  Army  of  the  Potomac,  from  its  first  organization  to  its  last  tri 
umphal  march  through  Pennsylvania  avenue  in  Washington,  ever  made, 
so  lojig  a  march  in  so  short  a  time,  under  equally  adverse  conditions  of 
weather  and  roads. 

"  Where  is  the  regiment?"  asked  one  of  the  Twelfth  boys,  who  had 
fallen  in  the  rear,  of  Captain  Langley,  about  n  o'clock  on  that  never-to- 
be-forgotten  night.  The  captain,  who  was  riding  back  to  find  out  the 
same  thing  that  was  inquired  of  him,  replied,  "The  colors  and  a  dozen 
or  so  of  the  boys  have  halted  a  few  rods  ahead,  but  the  most  of  them, 
like  yourself,  are  .somewhere  in  the  rear." 

'-'•Hardest  march  yet,"  was  the  italicized  comment  of  Captain  (then 
Sergeant)  Johnston  in  his  diary,  and  his  was  but  the  opinion  of  all  who 
were  in  it.  The  greater  part  of  the  next  forenoon  was  lost  to  the  progress 
of  the  division  by  its  commander  trying  to  be  too  smart  the  day  previous, 
it  being  nearly  10  o'clock  before  there  were  enough  together  to  make  a 
start,  and  marching  during  the  rest  of  the  day  and  evening  only  about 
seven  miles  to  Point  of  Rocks,  Md.,  to  allow  time  for  those  still  behind 
to  catch  up. 

In  the  next  three  days  the  regiment  marched   with  its  brigade   from 


n8  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Point  of  Rocks,  Md.,  through  Jefferson,  Burkittsville,  Middletown,  Fred 
erick  City,  Walkersville,  Woodsborough,  and  Ladiesburg  toTaneytown, 
Penn.,  —  a  distance,  by  the  route  taken,  of  not  less  than  fifty  miles. 

Although  the  ratio  of  time  to  space  in  these  forced  marches  was  not  in 
exact  harmony  with  the  will  or  wishes  of  the  weary,  foot-worn  men  who 
made  them,  yet  the  knowledge  that  they  were  once  more  in  "  God's  coun 
try  "  and  on  freedom's  soil,  as  evinced  by  the  welcome  greetings  and  en 
thusiastic  receptions  that  awaited  them  at  every  hamlet  and  village 
through  which  they  passed,  revived  their  spirits  and  strengthened  their 
courage  as  they  onward  marched  ;  while  responsive  strains  of  music  from 
regimental  drum  corps  and  brigade  bands,  amid  the  waving  of  handker 
chiefs  and  miniature  flags  in  the  hands  of  smiling-faced  women  and  bright- 
eyed  children,  and  the  hearty  "  God  bless  you"  from  aged  matrons  and 
sires,  thrilled  the  soldier's  heart  anew  with  patriotic  pride  and  devotion, 
and  made  the  hours  and  miles  pass  more  quickly  by.  But  best  of  all,  the 
recent  rain  prevented  the  usually  thick  and  choking  dust  from  rising,  and 
the  weather  was  pleasant  and  cool  for  that  latitude  and  season.  Near 
Crampton's  Gap  the  brigade  encamped  on  the  battle-field  of  South  Moun 
tain,  and  the  Twelfth,  and  the  Sixteenth  Massachusetts  Regiment  were 
sent  out  a  mile  or  two  toward  the  top  of  the  mountain  on  picket,  and 
formed  their  reserve  camp  on  the  old  battle-field  surrounded  by  the  graves 
of  the  dead,  and  near  the  spot  where  the  brave  General  Reno  fell  just  as 
the  golden  rays  of  the  setting  sun  crowned  the  summit  with  the  glorious 
halo  of  victory. 

In  starting  with  the  sun  from  Frederick,  on  the  morning  of  the  2pth,  the 
First  Brigade  moved  out  first,  and  the  Twelfth,  being  on  the  right  of  the 
brigade,  led  the  division  and  the  whole  corps  in  the  order  of  march  that 
day;  and  upon  its  reaching  Taneytown  at  6  P.  M.,  it  was  immediately 
detailed  for  provost  duty,  which  gave  its  members  the  freedom  of  the 
town,  while  the  other  troops,  encamped  outside,  were  not  allowed  to  enter. 

This  was  rare  good  luck  for  the  boys,  who  had  long  before  learned  by 
experience  the  great  advantage  of  being  at  the  head  instead  of  in  the  rear 
of  a  moving  column,  and  who  quite  as  quickly  appreciated  a  change  of 
army  fare  for  the  more  relishable,  if  not  as  healthy,  doughnuts,  cakes, 
and  pies  with  which  the  glad  citizens  freely  supplied  them. 

On  the  3Oth  the  whole  corps  remained  at  or  near  Taneytown  most  of  the 
day,  a  part  of  it,  however,  after  marching  and  countermarching  through 
the  town,  moved  forward  on  the  Emmitsburg  road  as  far  as  Bridgeport. 

Two  days  before,  General  Hooker  had  been  superseded  by  General 
Meade  and  there  was,  as  yet,  some  doubt  in  the  minds  of  the  corps  com 
manders  as  to  where  the  latter  intended  to  concentrate  his  forces  for  the 
battle  which  they  plainly  saw  must  soon  be  fought.  Hooker's  removal 
was  generally  looked  upon,  in  the  army,  as  a  grave  mistake. 

Receiving  no  order  during  the  day  and  night,  General  Sickles  advanced 
his  corps,  the  next  forenoon,  as  far  as  Emmitsburg,  where  he  received 


JVczv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  119 

orders  to  move  toward  Middleburg,  between  which  place  and  Manchester, 
on  the  line  of  Pike's  creek,  General  Meade  had  decided  to  meet  and 
defeat,  if  possible,  the  Confederate  army  under  General  Lee. 

But  before  Sickles  could  move,  he  received  a  dispatch  from  General 
Howard,  stating  that  his  and  the  First  Corps  had  been  attacked  by  the 
enemy  in  full  force  at  Gettysburg,  and  calling  urgently  for  help.  The 
situation  was  perplexing,  but  the  gallant  commander  of  the  Third  Corps 
was  master  of  it.  Knowing  that,  under  the  rules  of  war,  it  was  discre 
tionary  with  him  to  obey  the  order  or  the  call,  he  promptly  decided  on 
the  latter ;  and  in  less  than  an  hour  his  whole  command,  excepting  one 
brigade  and  battery  that  was  left  to  guard  the  wagon  train,  was  marching 
swiftly  toward  Gettysburg. 

The  student  of  history  can  now  readily  perceive  the  wisdom  of  his 
course  ;  for  had  General  Ewell  been  allowed  to  follow  up  his  success  that 
afternoon,  or  General  Longstreet  attacked  early  the  next  morning,  as 
ordered  and  expected  to  by  General  Lee,  the  saving  presence  of  the  "  Old 
Third,"  with  no  other  corps  within  supporting  distance,  would  have  been 
of  the  greatest  importance.  It  was  i  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  Thurs 
day,  July  2,  when  the  Twelfth  reached  Gettysburg  and  bivouacked  with 
its  division  at  the  left  and  rear  of  Cemetery  Hill,  the  only  ground  then 
held  by  the  Union  forces. 

At  the  same  hour  General  Meade  and  staff  arrived  from  Taneytown  and 
immediately  made  a  moonlight  inspection  of  his  lines,  already  formed  by 
Generals  Howard  and  Hancock,  who  informed  him  fully  of  the  enemy's 
position  so  far  as  developed  and  of  the  general  outline  of  the  field. 

The  Third  Corps  would  have  been  in  position  before  midnight,  but  for 
its  leading  brigade  running  into  the  enemy's  lines,  and  only  escaping  by 
a  quick  and  noiseless  retreat  —  dippers  and  canteens  being  so  muffled  or 
secured  that  they  could  make  no  sound  by  striking  against  each  other  or 
the  equipments — for  a  distance  of  two  or  three  miles  into  another  road. 
It  was  every  moment  expected  that  the  enemy  would  open  with  his  artil 
lery  that  was  planted  to  sweep  the  road  ;  but  the  quick-witted  reply  of  a 
staff  officer,  who  learned  by  the  inquiry  made  of  him  by  a  rebel  picket 
that  he  was  riding  into  the  enemy's  encampment,  had  aroused  no  suspi 
cions  in  the  minds  of  some  Confederate  officers  near  by,  who  heard  the 
answer  to  the  challenge,  that  the  approaching  column  was  not  a  part  of 
their  own  army,  and  before  they  were  undeceived,  if,  indeed,  they  ever 
were,  it  was  too  late  to  give  their  departing  visitors  even  a  farewell  shot. 

The  toils  and  hardships  of  the  hardest  march  ever  made  by  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  were  now  about  to  merge  into  the  dangers  and  sufferings 
of  the  greatest  battle  in  which  it  was  ever  engaged,  or  that  was  ever 
fought  on  the  American  continent.  Yet,  such  had  been  the  extreme 
severities  of  that  march,  though  seemingly  strange,  it  is  strictly  true,  that 
the  sound  of  cannon  was  welcome  music  to  many  in  those  veteran  ranks  ; 
for  it  told  them  that  the  place  of  rest  was  near,  though  it  might  be  their 
last  resting  place  on  earth. 


I2O  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

One  battle  had  been  fought  and  lost,  the  day  before,  by  the  advance 
corps  of  the  Union  army,  but  the  great  and  final  struggle  was  yet  to 
come.  Every  officer  and  every  man  not  only  understood  this  and  was 
prepared  to  meet  it,  but  felt,  as  well,  the  supreme  magnitude  of  the  issue 
and  its  far-reaching  results  for  the  weal  or  woe  of  their  country,  and  in 
no  small  decree  of  the  whole  human  race. 

O 

It  has  been  remarked  that  at  Chancellorsville  the  fates  were  against  us, 
but  smiled  upon  us  at  Gettysburg.  And  such  was  the  wide  difference  of 
fortuitous  circumstances  that  contributed  to  a  humiliating  defeat  upon  one 
field,  and  a  decisive  victory  upon  the  other,  it  is  but  natural  that  such  a 
thought  should  have  found  expression.  But  at  no  time  or  place,  in  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg,  did  fortune  favor  more,  than  when  Longstreet,  the 
Achilles  of  the  southern  army,  after  Jackson's  fall,  "  sat  sulky  in  his 
tent"  until  late  in  the  afternoon,  instead  of  attacking  the  Federal  left 
wing  early  in  the  morning,  as  he  had  been  ordered  by  General  Lee  the 
night  before. 

Had  this  been  done,  with  the  cooperation  of  General  Hill's  corps,  as 
intended  and  expected,  and  while  a  part  of  the  Union  army  was  yet  on 
the  march  to  the  field  of  battle,  there  would  doubtless  have  been  no  need 
of  the  desperate  charge  of  Pickett's  division  on  the  following  day,  for 
there  would  have  been  no  opposing  forces  there  for  him  to  have  charged 
against. 

Though  glad  to  longer  sleep  after  the  exhaustive  march  of  the  day  and 
night  before,  the  fearful  expectation  of  an  early  attack  by  the  enemy, 
before  the  other  corps  came  up,  would  not  permit  it ;  and  as  soon  as  day 
light,  the  men  were  aroused  from  their  sound  slumbers,  and  soon  the 
aromatic  fumes  of  the  Java  berry,  steeping  in  thousands  of  tin  dippers, 
pervaded  the  morning  air. 

Breakfast  over,  and  while  the  rays  of  the  rising  sun  were  lighting  up  a 
cloudless  sky,  the  First  Brigade  —  General  Carr's  —  unstacked  muskets 
and  stood  to  arms.  All  was  quiet,  and  naught  but  the  troops  near  by 
gave  any  sign  that  that  pleasant  summer's  morn  was  to  usher  in  such  a 
day  of  awful  strife. 

About  8  o'clock  the  brigade  marched  forward  a  short  distance  toward 
the  Emmitsburg  road  and  formed  the  first  line  of  battle  of  any  part  of  the 
Third  Corps  that  day.  The  rest  of  the  division  was,  at  this  time,  massed 
in  the  rear.  About  9  o'clock  De  Trobriand's  brigade  and  Smith's  battery 
of  the  First  Division,  that  had  been  left  back  at  Emmitsburg,  arrived  on 
the  field,  and  each  side  and  angle  of  the  "  Diamond  Corps"*  was  com 
plete  again,  and  ready  to  make  its  mark. 

The  sun  gets  higher  and  higher  in  the  heavens,  and  still  no  battle  opens 
on  the  earth  below,  where  nearly  two  hundred  thousand  men  are  mar 
shaled  and  stand  waiting  "  in  dred  array"  for  the  coming  conflict.  The 
Union  forces  are  in  constant  expectation  of  moving  against  or  receiving 
an  attack  of  the  enemy. 

*  Name  given  to  the  Third  Corps  from  the  shape  of  its  badge. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  121 

Noon  by  the  sun  whose  hot  rays  are  fast  ripening  the  fields  of  wheat 
that  spot  the  landscape,  and  which  are  soon  to  be  crushed  down  and 
trodden  into  the  earth,  and  yet,  save  fitful  outbursts  here  and  there  along 
the  picket  lines,  there  is  no  sound  to  break  the  portentous  stillness  of  that 
midday  hour  and  warn  the  waiting  ranks  of  the  coming  storm. 

Yet  all  know  that  it  must  soon  break  in  all  its  fury  upon  them,  and 
expectantly  listen  to  hear  the  quick,  running  notes  of  the  skirmish  prelude 
swell  into  the  grand  but  solemn  diapason  of  battle. 

A  little  past  12  o'clock  General  Humphreys  advanced  his  command 
toward  the  front  and  formed  his  full  division  for  action,  with  his  First  Brig 
ade  in  the  front  line,  which  when  deployed  with  one  regiment  —  Seventy- 
first  New  York,  Second  Brigade  —  on  its  left,  just  filled  the  space  allotted 
to  his  division  by  General  Sickles. 

The  Second  and  Third  Brigades  were  massed  in  the  rear  ready  to  de 
ploy  into  lines  of  battle  when  needed,  at  intervals  of  about  two  hundred 
yards.  About  this  time  General  Carr  ordered  the  First  Massachusetts  to 
deploy  as  skirmishers  and  cover  his  front.  In  this  position  and  formation 
the  division  remained  until  a  few  minutes  after  4  o'clock,  when  it  was 
ordered  by  General  Sickles  to  move  forward  to  the  Emmitsburg  road  and 
connect  with  the  First  Division  —  General  Birney's — on  the  left. 

This  brought  the  left  of  the  leading  brigade  close  up  to  an  old  log  house 
near  the  road  and  in  the  rear  of  which  was  quite  a  large  apple  orchard. 
In  this  orchard  Seeley's  battery  was  posted,  just  to  the  left  of  the  log 
house,  and  the  Twelfth  placed  to  support  it.  A  detail  of  one  hundred 
men  from  the  Sixteenth  Massachusetts  were  ordered  to  occupy  the  log 
house  and  make  holes  between  the  logs  to  shoot  through.  This  regiment 
at  that  time  was  next  on  the  right  of  the  Twelfth,  and  the  Eleventh  New 
Jersey  on  its  left.  The  Emmitsburg  road,  at  this  place,  runs  along  .on 
the  crest  of  quite  a  ridge,  so  that  Humphreys's  advance  to  it  was  seen  by 
the  enemy,  and  opened  upon  by  two  of  his  batteries  —  one  at  the  left  and 
one  almost  directly  in  front.  The  latter  was  soon  silenced  by  the  well 
directed  shots  from  Seeley's  guns  ;  but,  until  this  was  done,  the  position 
of  the  Twelfth  was  far  from  being  a  very  pleasant  or  safe  one.  The 
artillery  duel  between  the  two  batteries  brought  the  regiment  in  direct 
range  of  the  shots  from  the  rebel  one,  but  fortunately  none  were  seriously 
wounded. 

The  regiment  remained  in  the  orchard  for  an  hour  or  more,  when  it 
moved  obliquely  to  the  right  a  few  rods  and  took  position  on  the  road  just 
to  the  right  of  what  is  now  known  as  the  Smith  house. 

The  battle  was  now  raging  with  increasing  fury  on  the  left,  where 
Birney  was  vainly  trying  to  hold  his  own,  assisted  and  encouraged  by 
General  Sickles,  who  was  giving  his  whole  attention  to  what,  as  yet,  was 
the  most  exposed  and  hardest  pressed  part  of  his  line. 

As  at  Chancellorsville,  the  Third  Corps  was  again  destined  to  receive 
the  first  attacks,  and  withstand  the  most  determined  assaults  of  the  enemy. 


122  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

But  in  this  battle,  as  claimed  by  General  Meade  and  his  friends,  it  was 
more  the  unwise  choice  of  its  commander  than  unavoidable  necessity  that 
gave  it  so  dangerous  a  prominence  on  the  field,  as  not  only  to  invite  its 
own  destruction,  but  to  hazard  the  safety  of  the  whole  army. 

On  the  other  hand,  General  Sickles  and  his  favorites  assert  that,  but  for 
his  bold  decisive  action  in  taking  the  advance  position  and  bringing  on 
the  battle  when  and  where  he  did,  the  first  day's  battle  at  Gettysburg 
would  have  been  the  last,  as  General  Meade  was  already  seriously  con 
templating  a  retreat ;  and,  if  the  Confederates  had  attacked  before  he  had 
a  chance  to  fall  back  that  night,  Little  Round  Top,  the  key  to  the  position 
of  the  Union  army,  would  certainly  have  been  lost  to  him.  General 
Sickles  also  claims  that  the  position  taken  by  him  was  in  accordance  with 
Meade's  orders. 

But  whether  by  or  against  the  orders  of  General  Meade  —  for  there  has 
been  much  dispute  about  it — it  was  none  the  less  a  bold  and  dangerous 
one,  inviting  attack  upon  both  sides  of  the  exposed  angle  at  the  Peach 
Orchard,  while  supported  upon  neither.  But,  if  a  tyro  in  the  science  of 
war  selected  it,  heroes  held  it ;  and  it  was  only  taken  from  them  by  over 
whelming  numbers  of  Longstreet's  veteran  legions  after  a  most  determined 
and  stubborn  resistance.  It  was  the  attack  upon  this  angle  at  half  past 
three  o'clock  p.  M.  that  opened  the  second  day's  fight  at  Gettysburg. 

After  a  sharp  reminder  from  the  enemy's  artillery  that  General  Hum 
phreys  was  advancing  his  division  upon  dangerous  ground,  the  rebel  bat 
teries  ceased  firing  in  that  direction,  and  turned  their  attention  to  General 
Birney's  position  upon  which  his  infantry  were  now  making  desperate 
assaults. 

For  nearly  two  hours  more  the  men  of  the  Second  Division,  excepting 
the  Third  Brigade  which  had  been  sent  to  assist  Birney,  lay  inactive  along 
the  Emmitsburg  road  listening  to  the  sound  of  battle  on  their  left,  which, 
in  the  mean  time,  had  increased  into  such  a  roar  and  crash  of  arms  as  to 
make  even  the  veteran's  heart  to  tremble,  who,  with  quickening  pulse  and 
thrilling  nerves,  awaits  the  coming  tide  of  awful  carnage  that  is  crushing 
the  fatal  angle  like  an  egg-shell,  and  will  soon  strike  them  with  irresist 
ible  force  and  power. 

And  still  the  roar  of  battle,  every  moment  increasing  in  volume  and 
intensity,  continues  until  the  Peach  Orchard,  where  fought  the  gallant 
Second  New  Hampshire,  and  the  Wheat  Field,  where  the  "  Fighting 
Fifth  "  stood  and  its  heroic  colonel  fell,  are  both  in  the  possession  of  the 
enemy.  The  Union  battle-line  has  seemingly  been  bent  back  upon  itself, 
until  the  sound  of  conflict  first  heard  upon  the  left  now  comes  from  far 
around  toward  our  rear. 

It  is  now  nearly  6  o'clock.  Sickles,  with  his  shattered  leg,  has  been 
carried  from  the- field,  and  Barksdale,  of  ante-bellum  notoriety  as  a  "pro- 
slavery  fire-eater,"  whose  troops  were  foremost  in  the  attack,  has  sealed 
his  convictions  with  his  life's  blood. 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  123 

"  Is  there  no  force  of  the  enemy  on  our  front.  Have  they  received  a 
check  on  our  left,  or  are  they  getting  ready  to  attack  our  flank?"  "  Have 
we  got  to  fight  here,  or  shall  we  be  ordered  to  fall  back  before  we  are 
surrounded?  " 

These  were  the  questions  eagerly  asked  and  doubtfully  answered 
by  the  officers  and  men  of  the  whole  brigade  as  well  as  of  the  Twelfth 
Regiment,  as  all  began  to  hope  that  the  day  might  close  and  leave  them 
out,  though  many  were  more  willing  to  meet  the  worse  than  longer 
dread  it. 

"If  it  must  come,  let  it  come  now,"  said  one  of  the  impatient  ones  ;  and 
come  it  did,  with  a  furious  force  that  scattered  the  skirmish  line  like  strands 
of  straw,  and  struck  the  main  line  a  staggering  blow. 

Front,  left,  and  close  pressing  upon  the  rear,  the  battle-blast  strikes  and 
circles  around  Carr's  brigade,  twisting  it  up  and  forcing  it  back  into  the 
very  vortex  of  the  tempest. 

With  impetuous  energy  Perry's  and  Wright's  brigades,  of  Andrews's 
division,  charge  over  the  ridge  in  front,  that  has  hidden  them  from  view, 
and  strike  with  sudden  violence  the  whole  of  General  Humphreys's  front 
along  the  Emmitsburg  road. 

Held  in  reserve  by  General  Longstreet,  their  corps  commander,  whose 
part  and  purpose  was  to  turn  the  Federal  left,  these  victors  of  many  a 
hard-fought  field,  had  been  listening  to  the  sound  of  their  advancing 
lines,  until  victory  seemed  again  about  to  rest  upon  the  Confederate  ban 
ners,  and  theirs  the  proud  and  special  mission  of  performing  the  last  and 
crowning  act. 

With  screeches  and  yells,  mingling  with  the  volleys  of  musketry,  they 
press  on  against  a  storm  of  canister  and  Minie-balls  that  is  lining  the 
opposite  side  of  the  highway  with  their  wounded  and  dead  ;  for  they  are 
now  face  to  face  with  men  who,  though  less  sanguine  of  success,  are  no 
less  brave  and  determined. 

But  this  was  not  all,  nor  the  worst.  While  Anderson,  unseen  and  un 
heard,  was  approaching  in  front,  the  attack,  for  a  time  delayed,  had  been 
renewed  upon  the  left.  Barksdale's  Mississippians  and  Kershaw's  South 
Carolinians,  who  joined  hands  and  crushed  in  the  angle  at  the  Peach 
Orchard,  no  longer  held  back  from  fear  of  being  flanked  and  possibly 
captured  themselves  by  reinforcements  from  the  Federal  right,  and, 
having  strengthened  their  re-formed  lines  by  fresh  troops,  are  now  pushing 
forward  with  great  energy  and  determination,  at  right  angles  with  the 
Emmitsburg  road,  with  little  now  left  to  oppose  them  from  the  Peach 
Orchard  to  Humphreys's  left. 

General  Birney,  now  in  command  of  the  corps,  perceiving  that  some 
thing  must  be  done,  and  that  quickly,  or  Humphreys's  left  would  soon  be 
broken  in  and  doubled  up,  and  his  whole  division  at  the  mercy  of  the 
enemy,  but  knowing  nothing  of  Anderson's  close  advance  upon  his  front, 
orders  General  Humphreys  to  throw  back  his  left  so  as  to  confront  and 


124  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

stay,  if  possible,  the  rushing,  crushing  tide  that  is  about  to  break  upon  it 
from  that  direction. 

This  order  proves  to  be  a  very  unfortunate  one,  for  before  it  can  be 
executed,  or  even  communicated  to  General  Carr,  Wright's  brigade  of 
Georgians  has  attacked  his  front,  and  Barksdale's  command  is  crowding 
upon  his  flank. 

Scarcely  has  the  Twelfth  opened  fire  upon  Wright's  attacking  columns, 
when  Captain  Langley,  commanding  the  regiment,  receives  the  order  to 
change  fronts  to  the  rear;  and  no  wonder  that  he  is  almost  afraid 
to  attempt  its  execution,  though  he  has  assured  General  Carr  that  his 
men  can  be  relied  upon,  for  the  order  at  such  a  crisis  meant  much  more 
than  the  reader,  unless  himself  a  veteran,  can  possibly  understand. 

To  unflinchingly  face  danger  and  death  is  one  thing,  but  to  turn  your 
back  thereto  and  stand  firm  and  unshaken  is  such  a  different  and  more 
difficult  thing,  that  only  the  bravest  of  the  best  disciplined  troops  can  be 
relied  upon  to  do  it. 

It  is  also  well  known  that  no  troops  will  long  withstand  an  attack  upon 
their  flank. 

Yet  here  are  men  that  while  breasting  the  full  blast  of  the  raging  tem 
pest  of  battle  in  their  front,  and  staggering  under  a  terrific  assault  upon 
their  flank,  are  called  upon  to  execute  one  of  the  most  dangerous  and 
difficult  movements  that  can  be  made  by  any  soldiers  while  under  fire. 

It  was  hardly  possible  that  any  regiment,  much  less  a  whole  brigade, 
could  remain  intact  while  endeavoring  to  obey  the  command,  and  it 
seemed  but  the  folly  of  madness  to  attempt  it.  But  the  attempt  was 
made,  and  while  partially  successful  in  the  movement,  the  result,  as 
might  have  been  expected,  was  sorrowfully  disastrous.  It  was  simply 
swinging  open  the  gate  to  the  enemy  ;  and  the  order  to  retreat,  which 
almost  immediately  followed  it,  but  an  invitation  for  Anderson's  brigades 
to  walk  through  and  occupy  the  ground  that  it  was  no  longer  possible  for 
Humphreys's  troops  to  hold.  Had  the  last  order  come  first,  as  it  doubtless 
would,  had  General  Birney  known  of  Anderson's  close  advance,  the 
almost  helpless  situation  that  the  regiments  of  General  Carr's  brigade 
soon  found  themselves  in,  might  have  been  partially  avoided. 

But  no  order  at  all  would  have  been  much  better  than  both,  for  what 
might  have  been  for  awhile  withstood,  until  reinforcements  could  have 
been  ordered  up  to  cover  a  retreat,  now  poured  its  almost  unobstructed 
torrent  of  destruction  through  the  widening  breach,  sweeping  regiments 
and  batteries  and  finally  the  whole  division  in  confusion  from  the  field. 

No,  not  all,  for  some  —  too  many,  alas  !  remain  ;  and  the  ground  where, 
but  a  few  moments  ago,  in  life  and  hope  they  stood,  is  now  covered  with 
their  bodies  rent  and  torn  — the  dying  and  the  dead. 

But  where  is  that  little  band  of  the  battle-scarred  survivors  of  Chancel- 
lorsville,  scarcely  larger  than  a  regimental  division,  that  had  there  stood 
like  a  granite  rock  in  the  very  centre  of  the  shock? 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  125 

We  have,  so  far,  said  but  little  of  them  as  a  separate  regiment  in  briefly 
describing  the  position  and  part  taken  by  its  brigade  and  division,  because, 
like  all  the  rest  of  Humphreys's  command,  it  had  nothing  to  do,  and  was 
but  little  exposed  to  the  enemy's  fire  until  it  moved  up  to  the  support  of 
Seeley's  battery  in  the  apple  orchard.  Here  it  first  came  under  fire  for 
the  day,  and  was  for  a  time  exposed  to  quite  a  severe  cannonade  from  a 
battery  of  the  enemy,  engaged  in  exchanging  salutes  of  solid  shot  and 
shell  with  the  battery  it  was  supporting,  as  already  mentioned. 

After  taking  position  on  the  Emmitsburg  road,  as  previously  referred 
to,  the  Twelfth  was  but  little  exposed  to  the  enemy's  guns,  until  just 
before  the  attack  of  the  rebel  infantry  in  front. 

His  artillery  was  then  turned  again  upon  Carr's  brigade,  which  was  at 
last  to  take  its  part  in  the  contest,  and  the  regiment  was  again  exposed  to 
his  shells.  Turnbull's  battery  had  taken  position  next  on  the  right  of  the 
Twelfth,  and  Seeley's  still  held  a  position  a  few  rods  to  the  left.  This 
made  the  position  of  the  regiment  a  trying  one,  located  as  it  was  between 
those  two  batteries,  both  of  which  responded  to  the  rebel  guns,  and  of 
course  drew  their  fire  upon  them. 

But  the  fear  of  killing  their  own  men,  about  to  attack  on  two  sides,  was 
the  saving  hope  of  the  regiments  on  the  left  of  the  brigade,  that  were  the 
first  to  receive  and  resist  those  attacks,  for  most  of  the  shells  went 
harmlessly  over  the  heads  of  the  men,  exploding  among  the  troops  in 
reserve. 

But  they  had  been  fortunately  saved  there,  only  to  be  terribly  cut  to 
pieces  a  little  later  ;  and  the  chance  to  fight  was  never  given  them  until 
the  musket  balls  had  done  what  the  cannon  shot  had  threatened. 

The  Twelfth,  in  the  attempt  of  the  brigade  to  avoid  the  coming  cyclone 
by  changing  front,  and  then  to  extricate  itself  by  retreating,  was  caught 
and  hurled  into  the  very  vortex  of  the  battle,  where  helpless,  like  the  rest 
of  the  brigade,  to  either  withstand  or  defend,  it  was  so  badly  shattered 
and  scattered  that  when,  a  few  moments  later,  it  again  faced  the  foe,  but 
little  more  than  a  sergeant's  squad  of  it  was  left  to  unite  with  other  regi 
mental  fragments  of  the  brigade,  and  advance  with  reinforcements  from 
the  Second  Corps  that  had  come  up,  and  help  retake  the  ground  that 
had  been  yielded. 

Lieutenant  French,  commanding  Company  F,  was  shot  through  the 
head  just  as  he  was  receiving  from  Captain  Shackford  —  then  acting  as 
major  —  the  order  to  change  front,  and  fell  lifeless  at  the  captain's  feet. 

About  the  same  time  both  the  state  and  national  colors  went  down,  their 
intrepid  bearers  falling  almost  at  the  same  instant.  Sergeant  Howe  fell 
dead  with  the  state  colors  still  held  in  his  death  grasp,  as  if  his  last 
thought  was  for  their  safety,  and  Sergeant  Parker,  mortally  wounded, 
yielded  up  the  flag  of  his  country  into  other  hands  only  when  his  own 
could  no  longer  hold  it ;  while  Corporal  Brown  who  reached  to  take  the 
flag  tell  lifeless  himself  in  the  act  of  doing  so.  Corporal  Knight  was 


126  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

also  killed,  and  most  or  all  the  rest  of  the  color-guard  were  either  killed 
or  wounded. 

Captain  Shackford  and  Lieutenants  Morrill,  Marsh,  had  been 

severely  wounded,  and  other  officers  slightly,  leaving  Lieutenant  Fernal 
almost  alone  in  command  of  the  few  brave  men  of  the  regiment  who  were 
left  together  on  the  field. 

Within  a  radius  of  a  few  rods  from  where  the  colors  went  down  in 
blood,  there  were  more  men  of  the  regiment  left  dead  and  dangerously 
wounded  on  the  ground  than  are  now  left  to  defend  them.  And  such 
was  the  proportional  loss  of  the  other  regiments  on  the  left  of  the  brig 
ade.  But,  although  by  one  fell  swoop,  the  black-winged  angel  of  death 
and  destruction  had  covered  the  plain  with  the  wounded  and  slain,  yet 
not  all  that  were  missing  could  he  count  among  his  victims.  Many  are 
prisoners  in  the  enemy's  hands  and  soon  to  be  retaken  ;  many  others  have 
been  unavoidably  separated  from  their  regiments  and  each  other,  and  will 
soon  join  their  comrades  who  are  now  once  more  beneath  their  banners 
that  are  still  waving  defiantly  in  the  smoke  of  battle  ;  while  others  still 
are  skulking  in  the  rear,  or  playing  sick  or  wounded  in  field  hospitals  — 
a  disgrace  to  themselves,  their  regiments,  their  state,  and  their  country. 

With  scarcely  more  than  a  color-guard  Lieutenant  Fernal  would  have 
been  justified  in  leading  his  men  to  the  rear,  instead  of  the  front ;  but  he 
was  not  the  man  to  do  that  without  orders,  so  long  as  he  had  a  man  left. 
Stung  with  madness  at  the  wretched  work  of  giving  away  so  much  ground 
at  such  a  sacrifice,  like  a  lion  fully  aroused,  he  shook  his  sword  defiantly 
toward  the  enemy,  and  then  waving  it  over  his  head  as  a  beckoning  sign 
to  his  men  and  with  a  trumpet  shout  "  Come  on,"  he  led  his  little  band  of 
veteran  heroes  straight  back  over  the  field  of  their  discomfiture  —  for  they 
felt  they  had  not  been  defeated — increasing  his  command  with  released 
prisoners  from  his  own  regiment  as  he  advanced  and  helping,  in  no  small 
degree  for  the  smallness  of  his  force,  to  drive  the  rebels  whose  turn  it 
was  now  to  run  almost  as  quickly  from  the  field  as  they  had  taken  it. 

This  was  done  by  the  second  line  of  reinforcements,  the  first  having 
been  used  up  in  staying  the  tide  that  was  now  turned  back.  But  neither 
the  first  nor  second  counter  attack  would  have  been  successful  on  this  part 
of  the  line  had  not  the  rebel  forces  that  had  so  easily  broken  and  swept 
it  back  become  broken  and  disorganized  themselves  by  their  impetuous 
onset  and  too  eager  pursuit. 

How  many  other  regiments  of  the  brigade,  if  any,  rallied  and  retraced 
their  steps  back  nearly  to  the  positions  they  had  first  held  is  not  known ; 
but  certainly  none  did  it  quicker  or  with  a  less  number  of  officers  and 
men  than  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire. 

The  whole  corps,  or  what  was  left  of  it,  was  now  ordered  to  fall  back 
to  the  main  line,  where,  beyond  all  question,  it  should  first  have  been 
placed,  and  to  which  it  should  have  retreated  before  its  right  wing  was 
nearly  as  badly  crippled  as  its  left  had  been.  But  if  Sickles  was  in 


Ne-w  Hampshire   Volunteers.  127 

fault,  Meade  was  by  no  means  blameless ;  for  where  the  greatest  respon 
sibility  rests,  there  the  greatest  care  is  required  ;  and  though  the  former 
had  repeatedly  requested  an  inspection  of  his  position,  the  latter  had  neg 
lected  to  do  so  until  the  enemy's  guns  opened  upon  it,  and  then  it  was  too 

late. 

The  following  description  from  the  pen  of  Col.  J.  B.  Bachelder,  histo 
rian  of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  gives  a  good  idea  of  the  perilous  position 
of  the  Twelfth  on  the  afternoon  of  the  second  day : 

The  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  was  at  that  time  attached  to  the  Second  Divis 
ion,  Third  Corps,  commanded  by  that  gallant  soldier,  Major-General  Humphreys. 
It  formed  a  portion  of  Carr's  brigade,  of  which  the  First,  Eleventh,  and  Sixteenth 
Massachusetts,  the  Twenty-sixth  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Eleventh  New  Jersey  Vol 
unteers  were  the  remaining  regiments  —  a  brigade  sustaining  a  record  second  to 
none  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  This  brigade  held  the  extreme  right  of  the 
Third  Corps,  and  was  formed  along  the  Emmitsburg  road,  slightly  on  the  poste 
rior  slope  of  a  ridge  supported  by  the  New  York  "Excelsior"  brigade.  Gra 
ham's  brigade  of  Birney's  division  lay  on  its  left  and  held  the  salient  of  the  line 
at  the  Peach  Orchard,  against  which  General  Longstreet  made  a  furious  assault 
with  Barksdale's  and  Wilcox's  brigades,  breaking  the  infantry  lines,  forcing  the 
artillery  to  retire,  and  carrying  the  position,  thus  threatening  General  Humphreys's 
left,  and  compelling  him  "to  change  front  to  the  rear."  During  the  execution 
of  this  difficult  evolution,  Longstreet's  victorious  troops  continued  to  advance, 
their  attack  seriously  embarrassing  the  movements  of  Humphreys's  division,  and 
at  the  same  time  Perry's  and  Bright's  brigades  which  had  advanced  under  cover 
of  the  ridge  attacked  Humphreys's  right.  It  was  a  fearful  moment  and  will  be 
remembered  by  every  participant  as  one  of  the  most  trying,  thrilling,  and  excit 
ing  scenes  of  their  experience.  General  Humphreys  could  readily  have  with 
drawn  his  command,  but  such  an  act  would  have  endangered  the  success  of  the 
battle  and  perhaps  the  loss  of  the  army ;  and  he  instantly  decided  to  hold  the 
enemy  in  check,  even  at  the  sacrifice  of  his  own  life  and  his  whole  command, 
until  a  new  line  could  be  formed  in  his  rear,  which  was  subsequently  done  and 
brought  up  by  General  Meade  in  person. 

General  Humphreys,  placing  himself  in  the  midst  of  his  command,  was 
everywhere  present,  sustaining  and  encouraging  his  men.  His  officers  fell  thick 
and  fast  about  him.  At  this  moment  Captain  Chester  of  his  staff  was  seen  to 
spring  with  a  convulsive  start.  Turning  to  his  commander  he  said,  "  General, 
I'm  shot."  General  Humphreys,  who  had  noted  the  gallantry  of  this  officer, 
sprang  to  his  assistance,  clasped  him  in  his  arms,  and  sustained  him  in  the  sad 
dle  until  Captain  Humphreys,  his  son,  could  take  him  in  charge.  An  orderly 
took  the  horse  to  lead  him  from  the  field,  when  at  that  instant  a  round  shot  killed 
the  horse  and  carried  away  the  orderly's  head. 

At  this  moment  General  Humphreys's  horse,  bleeding  from  seven  bullet 
wounds,  was  struck  by  a  shell  and  springing  convulsively  into  the  air,  threw  his 
rider  violently  to  the  ground,  but  fortunately  without  seriously  injuring  him. 
Just  then  Captain  Humphreys  was  shot  through  the  arm,  and  General  Carr  and 
Captains  McClellan  and  Cavada  each  had  their  horses  killed. 

A  portion  of  the  guns  of  Turnbull's  battery  retired  through  the  infantry  with  a 


128  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

prolonged  firing  as  they  went.  Others  were  drawn  oft'  by  members  of  the  Six 
teenth  Massachusetts  Regiment,  and  some  were  captured.  It  was  then  that  Gen 
eral  Barksdale  fell  mortally  wounded. 

In  the  very  centre  of  this  terrible  conflict  stood  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire 
Regiment,  while  thick  and  fast  fell  its  brave  and  gallant  members. 

After  sunset  Anderson's  division,  heavily  reinforced,  made  a  last  de 
termined  attack  upon  this  part,  now  nearly  the  centre  of  the  Union  line, 
which  it  succeeded  in  breaking,  and  frightening  General  Meade  so  badly, 
when  the  important  information  reached  him,  that  he  at  once  ordered 
General  Pleasanton  to  get  ready  to  cover  a  retreat  with  his  cavalry. 
But  General  Wright,  whose  brigade  had  actually  pierced  the  centre  of 
the  Union  line,  not  being  properly  supported,  was  obliged  to  fall  back, 
and  Pleasanton's  orders  for  retreat  were  countermanded. 

And  thus,  by  the  temerity  of  a  rebel  brigadier,  and  the  timidity  of  the 
Federal  commander-in-chief,  the  Union  cause  was  made  then  and  there 
to  tremble  in  the  scale  of  battle,  and  to  come  nearer  perhaps  being  lost 
than  when  Pickett,  on  the  following  day,  proudly  led  his  brave  and  battle- 
bronzed  legions  against  the  cannon-crowned  crest  of  Cemetery  Hill. 

But  how  little  did  Meade's  army  then  know  of  the  peril  of  that  hour. 

General  Carr's  brigade,  before  this,  had  been  ordered  back  into  the 
reserve  lines,  and  the  Twelfth  took  no  part  consequently  in  the  closing 
strife  of  this  memorable  day. 

General  Humphreys,  referring  to  the  enemy's  attack  upon  his  division 
on  the  second  day,  says : 

Seeley's  battery  had  now  opened  upon  the  enemy's  infantry  as  they  began 
to  advance.  Turnbull's  battery  was  likewise  directed  against  them,  and  I  was 
about  to  throw  somewhat  forward  the  left  of  my  infantry  and  engage  the  enemy 
with  it,  when  I  received  orders  from  General  Birney  (General  Sickles  having 
been  dangerously  wounded  and  carried  from  the  field)  to  throw  back  my  left  and 
form  a  line  oblique  to  and  in  the  rear  of  the  one  I  then  held,  and  was  informed 
that  the  First  Division  would  complete  the  line  to  Round  Top  ridge.  This  I  did 
under  a  heavy  fire  of  artillery  and  infantry  from  the  enemy,  who  now  advanced 
on  my  whole  front.  *  *  * 

My  infantry  now  engaged  the  enemy's,  but  my  left  was  in  the  air  (although  I 
extended  it  as  far  as  possible  with  my  Second  Brigade),  and  being  the  only 
troops  in  the  field,  the  enemy's  whole  attention  was  directed  to  my  division, 
which  was  forced  back  slowly,  firing  as  they  receded.  *  *  * 

At  this  time  I  received  orders  through  a  staff  officer  from  General  Birney  to 
withdraw  to  the  Round  Top  ridge. 

This  order  I  complied  with,  retiring  very  slowly,  continuing  the  contest  with 
the  enemy,  whose  fire  of  artillery  and  infantry  was  destructive  in  the  extreme. 

Upon  arriving  at  the  crest  of  the  ridge  mentioned,  the  remnants  of  my  division 
formed  on  the  left  of  General  Hancock's  troops,  whose  artillery  opened  upon  the 
enemy,  about  one  hundred  yards  distant. 

The    infantry   joined,   and   the   enemy  broke  and   was  driven   from  the   field, 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  129 

rapidly  followed  by  Hancock's  troops,  and  the  remnants  of  my  two  brigades, 
who  took  many  prisoners  and  brought  oft'  two  pieces  of  our  artillery  which  had 
been  left  after  all  the  horses  were  killed.  *  *  * 

It  was  now  dusk  and  the  contest  for  the  day  was  closed.  Its  severity  may  be 
judged  by  the  fact  that  the  loss  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing  of  my  division 
—  five  thousand  strong  —  was  two  thousand  and  eighty-eight,  of  whom  one  hun 
dred  and  seventy-one  were  officers,  and  one  thousand  nine  hundred  and  seventeen 
enlisted  men.  *  *  * 

The  fortune  of  war  rarely  places  troops  under  more  trying  circumstances 
than  those  in  which  my  division  found  itself  on  this  day,  and  it  is  greatly  to  their 
honor  that  their  soldierly  bearing  sustained  the  high  reputation  they  had  already 
won  in  the  severest  battles  of  the  war. 

General  Carr,  in  his  report,  refers  to  the  attack  of  the  enemy  as  follows  : 

My  left  first  became  engaged,  and  its  position  was  held  until  the  regiment  on 
my  left  (the  Collins  Zouaves,  of  the  First  Division)  gave  way,  when  the  enemy 
advanced  in  considerable  force  on  my  left  flank,  which  compelled  me  to  change 
my  front;  but  no  sooner  was  it  accomplished  than  the  enemy  made  his  appear 
ance  on  my  right  flank,  pouring  in  a  most  destructive  cross-fire. 

Notwithstanding  my  apparent  critical  position  I  could  and  would  have  main 
tained  my  position,  but  for  an  order  received  direct  from  General  Birney,  com 
manding  the  corps  to  fall  back  to  the  crest  of  the  hill  in  my  rear. 

At  that  time  I  have  no  doubt  that  I  could  have  charged  on  the  rebels  and 
driven  them  in  confusion,  for  my  line  was  still  perfect  and  unbroken,  and  my 
troops  in  the  proper  spirit  for  the  performance  of  such  a  task.  In  retiring  I 
suffered  a  severe  loss  in  killed  and  wounded. 

Although  General  Carr  may  have  been  somewhat  over-sanguine  of  his 
ability  to  long  maintain  his  position,  or  to  drive  the  rebels  back  "  in  con 
fusion"  by  a  charge.  Yet  there  is  no  doubt  that  a  vigorous  effort  either 
to  hold  the  enemy  in  check  or  to  drive  him  back,  at  that  time,  instead  of 
retreating,  would  have  resulted  in  inflicting  a  much  greater  punishment 
upon  the  enemy  with  but  little,  if  any,  heavier  loss  to  his  own  command. 

So  few  of  each  regiment  were  left  from  among  the  killed,  wounded, 
and  scattered,  to  rally  around  their  colors,  that  when  the  division  was 
re-formed  to  advance  against  the  enemy,  it  looked  like  a  line  of  color- 
guards,  so  thick  were  the  battle-flags  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  men. 

Though  more  than  two  thousand  men  of  the  division  had  fallen  or  been 
disabled,  and  nearly  half  as  many  more  were  prisoners  in  the  enemy's 
lines,  where  two  guns  had  been  left,  yet  not  a  single  flag  had  been  lost. 

How  the  colors  of  the  Twelfth  were  saved  from  capture  will  be  found 
written  in  their  history  in  another  chapter. 

At  early  dawn  the  next  morning,  July  3d,  the  men  awoke  to  a  reveille 
of  booming  cannon  on  the  right,  where  Gerry  and  Green  of  the  Twelfth 
Corps  had  commenced  the  work  of  retaking  the  ground  that  they  had 
been  obliged  to  yield  to  Ewell's  forces  the  night  before. 


130  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

"  Turn  out  here,  boys  ;  don't  you  hear  the  partridges  drumming?  Early 
birds  catch  the  worms  you  know." 

"  Catch  the  D 1  you  mean,"  comes  the  quick  reply  from  one  who 

is  more  cross  than  polite  for  being  so  early  aroused  from  his  slumbers. 

"  Well,  I  guess  he's  catching  them,  by  the  sound  over  there,  and  he'll 
have  us  all  before  night,  or  his  imps,  the  'Johnnies,'  will,  if  we  don't 
look  out." 

"  That's  what  I'm  beginning  to  think,  comrades,"  chimes  in  a  third. 
"Don't  you  remember  what  I  told  you  last  night?  Yesterday  they  got 
'way  round  our  left,  and  after  they  finished  up  the  job  with  us,  they 
attacked  our  right,  where  they  are  at  it  again  this  early  in  the  morning ; 
and  before  noon  they'll  have  both  our  wings  clipped  and  crippled  so  we 
can  neither  fight  nor  fly,  and  then  the  last  one  of  us  '11  be  bagged." 

"  Begins  to  look  as  if  you'r  more'n  half  right,  Bill,  by  thunder," 
breaks  in  a  new  voice,  "  and  when  this  army  goes  up  the  Union  goes 
down." 

"Yes,  like  Lucifer,  never  to  rise  again,"  suggests  one  of  the  officers, 
who  has  been  listening. 

"  Let  me  tell  you,  boys,  it  is  now  or  never.  If  we  can't  win  a  victory 
here,  on  our  own  soil,  we  never  can. 

"This,  in  my  opinion,  is  the  beginning  of  the  end.  This  battle-field 
is  the  turning  point ;  and  I  believe  this  day's  struggle,  already  com 
menced,  will  decide  the  battle." 

"  Don't  you  think,  lieutenant,  that  our  army  is  getting  the  worst  of  it  so 
far,  from  all  appearances  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  must  confess  that  indications,  so  far  as  we  can  see  or  under 
stand  them,  are  not  very  favorable ;  but  it's  very  little  we  know  of  the 
actual  situation  and  condition  of  things,  considering  the  whole  field,  and 
the  relative  strength  and  positions  of  the  two  armies. 

"If  all  our  forces  are  united  here,  as  they  certainly  ought  to  be  by  this 
time,  I  don't  believe  'Old  Lee'  has  got  men  enough  to  defeat  us,  if 
General  Meade  half  knows  his  business,  and  dare  let  his  army  perform 
it." 

"  Yes,"  remarks  another  officer  ;  "but  that  fatal  '  if  has  so  many  times 
defeated  this  army  in  other  battles,  that  I  almost  tremble  for  the  result  of 
this.  The  appointment  of  Meade  in  place  of  Hooker,  just  on  the  eve  of 
battle,  was  anything  but  a  pleasant  surprise  to  the  whole  army,  and  cer 
tainly  has  not  improved  its  confidence  and  spirit.  For  one,  I  cannot 
otherwise  than  consider  it  a  great  mistake.  What  has  Meade  ever  done 
to  bring  him  to  the  front  in  such  a  crisis  as  this?" 

"Nothing,"  comes  the  quick  response  from  half  a  dozen  at  once  ;  and 
two  or  three  of  them  attempt  to  supplement  their  emphatic  negatives  by 
further  expression  of  their  feelings  and  opinions  on  the  subject,  each  too 
earnest  in  giving  his  own  to  regard  the  efforts  of  the  others.  But  not 
withstanding  the  mixture  of  words,  the  common  import  was  easily  under- 


Neiu  Hampshire  Volunteers.  131 

stood  —  that  Hooker's  removal,  right  on  the  eve  of  battle,  was  another 
blunder  of  silk-stocking  dictatorship  at  Washington,  and  the  appointment 
of  Meade  a  postscript  stumble  in  the  same  direction,  both  on  the  brink 
and  toward  the  fatal  abyss. 

To  this  there  was  no  dissenting  voice,  though  by  this  time  quite  a  crowd 
had  gathered  ;  but  the  officer  who  had  first  spoken,  now  slowly  and 
reflectively  speaks  again  : 

"Well,  boys,  that  all  may  be,  and  this  very  day  prove  your  words  pro 
phetic,  but  certainly  none  of  us  desire  it.  Blunder  or  no  blunder,  our 
trust  and  our  duty  is  the  same.  If  our  leaders  are  wanting,  we  must  not 
be  ;  if  others  let  loose,  we  must  all  the  firmer  hold  on. 

"Though  this  Army  of  the  Potomac  has  been  often  defeated,  as  we 
know,  it  has  never  yet  been  destroyed,  which  is  a  greater  wonder ;  but 
has  been  preserved,  and  is  here  in  force  and  power  to-day  to  perform,  as 
I  can  but  believe,  its  great  work  and  mission  of  saving  this  mighty 
republic  for  the  light  and  hope  of  centuries  yet  to  come. 

"If  this  nation  is  to  go  down  in  blood  into  untimely  oblivion,  neither 
Meade  nor  Hooker,  nor  all  the  military  strategy  of  the  world  combined 
can  save  it.  But  if  it  is  to  rise  triumphant  over  all  its  enemies,  as  God  in 
his  mercy  and  wisdom  has  we  trust  decreed,  then,  as  you  read  on  your 
hymn  book  covers, — 

'  To  doubt  would  be  disloyalty, 
To  falter  is  a  sin.' 

"Before  yon  rising  sun  shall  set,  the  Southern  Cross  will  be  broken, 
and  the  Southern  Confederacy  receive  a  blow  from  which  it  will  never 
recover." 

The  young  lieutenant,  in  his  patriotic  fervor,  had  become  earnestly 
eloquent ;  and  what  had  begun  in  joke  and  fun  ended  so  seriously 
impressive  that  it  needed  only  the  chaplain's  amen  to  fitly  close  the 
morning  exercises. 

It  was  well  that  the  rest  of  the  army  was  as  ignorant  as  the  Twelfth  of 
how  near  their  leader  came  to  being  frightened  from  the  field  but  a  few 
hours  before,  for  he  who  thinks  he  is  going  to  be  beaten  is  half  defeated 
already. 

The  firing  on  the  right  increased  as  the  morning  hours  passed,  heavy 
volleys  of  musketry  plainly  telling  that  it  was  something  more  than  an 
artillery  duel,  and  it  was  anxiously  listened  to  by  many  thousands,  in 
both  armies,  all  earnest  to  know  which  side  was  gaining  ground.  About 
10  o'clock  the  firing  mostly  ceased,  and  smiling  faces  in  the  Union  ranks 
proclaimed  the  welcome  news  that  the  rebel  forces  had  been  driven  back 
on  that  part  of  the  grand  battle-line,  until  our  troops  had  regained  all  that 
they  had  lost  the  night  before. 

In  the  centre  and  on  the  left  all  was  quiet,  or  comparatively  so,  and  the 
question  that  each  officer  and  man  wanted  answered  now  was,  whether 


132  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

the  terrible  storm  of  battle  had  spent  its  force  or  another  destructive  blast 
was  yet  to  come. 

General  Meade  wisely  decides  to  wait  and  see,  or,  rather,  his  corps 
commanders,  at  a  council  of  war  held  the  night  before,  had  so  decided 
for  him. 

His  right  wing,  though  somewhat  cramped,  is  still  strong ;  and  the 
result  of  the  severe  struggle  there,  just  ended,  relieves  him  of  present  fear 
of  its  being  turned  and  taken  in  reverse.  His  left  is  safe,  for  Little 
Round  Top,  now  impregnable,  guards  and  protects  him  there  ;  while  his 
centre  still  occupies  the  vantage  ground  of  Cemetery  Ridge,  and  presents 
a  strong  and  defiant  front. 

As  he  listens  to  encouraging  reports  from  all  parts  of  his  line,  and 
especially  from  his  right,  his  face  brightens  and  puts  on  a  more  hope 
ful  look  than  at  any  time  before  since  the  battle  commenced ;  while 
General  Lee,  though  silent  and  calm  as  usual,  shows  in  his  impassive 
countenance  that  he  is  less  quiet  in  mind  than  in  manner.  But  hoping  to 
crush,  and  hazarding  the  rebound,  the  Confederate  chieftain  has  decided 
to  strike  one  more  blow ;  and,  taking  a  sweeping  glance  with  his  glass 
along  the  Union  line,  as  he  stands  at  12  o'clock  in  the  cupola  of  the  col 
lege  building  on  Seminary  Hill,  determines  upon  what  part  of  the  line 
the  blow  shall  fall.  Failing  on  the  right  and  left,  he  concludes  to  make 
his  final  effort  against  the  Federal  centre ;  and,  one  hour  later,  one  hun 
dred  and  fifteen  of  his  guns  open  upon  General  Hancock's  position  on 
Cemetery  Ridge,  from  the  crest  of  which  nearly  as  many  respond.  The 
artillery  duel  that  was  now  fought,  for  nearly  two  hours,  across  that 
valley  of  separation,  tearing,  crushing,  and  rending  earth,  rocks,  and 
trees,  exploding  caissons,  dismounting  guns,  and  killing  men  and  horses 
upon  the  opposing  elevations,  never  before  shook  the  earth  upon  any 
section  of  the  American  continent. 

And  yet  it  is  but  the  thunder-roar  of  the  lightning-charged  tempest  that 
is  soon  to  sweep  this  valley  of  death,  and  burst  in  terrible  and  almost 
resistless  fury  against  the  steel-lined  ridge  that  will  draw  its  lightning  and 
break  its  force. 

It  comes ;  it  strikes  and  breaks  through  !  but  is  itself  broken  and  shat 
tered  in  the  attempt ;  and  the  most  threatening  battle-cloud  of  the 
Rebellion,  rolling  up  from  the  southern  horizon  like  a  billow  of  fire,  has 
been  met  and  dispelled  by  the  cold  mountain  air  of  our  northern  skies. 

Behold  the  bow  of  promise  and  rejoice  !  The  nation  has  this  day  had 
a  new  birth,  and  her  redemption  is  assured. 

The  Third  Corps,  during  this  attack  of  Pickett  —  which  for  boldness, 
brilliancy,  and  desperate  determination  finds  no  parallel  on  so  large  a 
scale  in  the  annals  of  modern  warfare  —  held  the  reserve  lines  of  support 
and  was  not  engaged,  but  was  more  or  less  exposed  to  the  enemy's  artil 
lery  preceding  the  charge,  some  parts  of  it  suffering  severely.  General 
Carr's  brigade  was  moved  to  the  centre  about  the  time  the  charge  was 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  133 

made.  One  or  more  of  the  Twelfth  received  slight  wounds  as  they  lay 
upon  the  ground  on  the  rear  side  of  the  ridge,  but  most  of  the  shells  either 
struck  and  exploded  on  the  ridge,  or  went  far  above  and  beyond  them. 

Everyone  felt  that  the  crisis-hour  of  the  battle  had  come,  and  such  was 
the  anxiety  for  the  result  that  some  of  the  regiment,  had  not  their  sense  of 
duty  been  stronger  than  their  fear  of  danger,  would  have  left  their  place 
in  the  ranks  and  ascended  the  hill  into  the  very  cloud-burst  of  iron  hail, 
that  they  might  see  with  their  own  eyes  what  was  being  so  desperately 
attempted  by  the  enemy  on  the  other  side.  But  they  knew  not  how  soon 
they  might  be  called  upon  to  help  stay  the  flood-tide  of  the  Rebellion,  and 
each  one  felt,  as  never  before,  an  individual  responsibility  commensurate 
with  the  magnitude  of  the  struggle  and  the  consequences  of  the  issue. 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac,  from  its  first  organization,  had  always  been 
superior  to  its  leadership,  but  never  more  so  than  upon  this,  its  first  great 
field  of  victory.  Here,  as  never  before,  it  depended  upon  itself,  regard 
less  of  any  commander,  and  here  for  the  first  time  it  proved  itself  more 
than  a  match  for  its  hitherto  successful  antagonist,  the  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia. 

Though  seeing  nothing  of  the  attack  or  the  repulse,  yet  to  the  veterans 
of  the  Third  Corps,  who  lay  eagerly  listening  in  the  rear,  all  was  as 
plainly  understood  as  heard.  The  first  guns,  speaking  from  the  rebel 
lines,  proclaim  a  decision  of  their  bold  commander  to  strike  once  more 
for  victory  before  he  yields  the  field  to  its  brave  defenders. 

The  number  of  these  guns,  the  rapidity  of  their  fire,  and  the  concentra 
tion  of  their  aim,  all  unmistakably  announce  that  a  desperate  and  deter 
mined  infantry  attack  is  to  be  made  upon  our  centre,  as  had  been  expected. 
The  vigorous  and  defiant  response  of  our  artillery  all  along  the  line  in 
forms  the  rebels  that  the  "  boys  in  blue"  are  determined  too,  and  ready 
to  receive  them. 

But  what  means  this  sudden  silence  of  our  batteries,  while  the  enemy's 
guns  still  continue  to  throw  their  iron  missiles  of  death  and  destruction 
faster  than  ever,  as  it  seems,  into  our  lines? 

Out  of  ammunition?  Impossible  !  But  one  reasonable  explanation  can 
be  given.  It  must  be  to  allow  time  for  the  guns  to  cool  off,  and  get  ready 
for  more  effective  service  that  will  soon  be  needed.  Yet  the  fact  that 
some  of  our  batteries  in  the  centre,  where  the  enemy's  shells  fell  thickest, 
are  still  active,  is  a  little  difficult  to  understand.*  But  soon  they,  too,  are 
silent,  and  there  is  a  perceptible  diminution  in  the  cannon  chorus  on  the 
rebel  side.  Can  it  be  only  a  parting  salute,  intended  to  deceive  and  in 
timidate  General  Meade,  so  that  the  Confederate  commander  can  more 
safely  withdraw  his  army  from  the  front?  Or  is  it  to  attract  and  draw  the 
Union  forces  to  one  point,  while  General  Lee  is  getting  ready  to  attack 
them  in  another? 

*  Some  of  Hancock's  guns  continued  to  be  served  after  all  the  rest  had  ceased  tiring. 


134  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Something  more  than  either,  undoubtedly,  for  such  a  mighty  volume  of 
sound,  and  so  long  continued,  cannot  all  be  mere  brutum  fulmen ;  nor 
has  heaven  and  earth  been  shaken  just  to  produce  a  cloud  of  smoke  and 
dust  for  the  enemy  to  hide  behind. 

Soon  the  Federal  guns  open  again,  and  the  enemy's  too ;  but  the  for 
mer,  gradually  increasing  in  number  and  rapidity  of  service,  plainly  tell 
that  the  rebel  infantry  is  advancing  to  the  charge,  and  that  the  hour  of 
imminent  peril  for  the  army  and  nation  is  at  hand. 

And  when,  a  few  moments  later,  our  batteries  burst  into  one  terrific 
grape  and  canister  crash,  while  the  enemy's  guns  are  silent,  and  then  a 
roll  of  musketry  is  heard  along  the  ridge,  it  is  known  to  all  that  the 
moment  of  the  life  or  death  struggle  has  come,  and  the  men  listen  with 
breathless  fear  lest  they  next  shall  hear  the  rebel  screech  instead  of  the 
welcome  cheer. 

"  Hark  !     Hear  that  infernal  yell  ?  " 

"Yes,  but  it's  only  their  charging  yell,  for  there  is  no  break  or  check 
to  our  infantry  fire  yet." 

"  But  there  is  now ;  O,  if  we  could  only  see  ! " 

"  Patience,  comrade,  and  be  calm  and  we  shall  soon  know — " 

"  That  the  victory  is  ours,  thank  God^for  there's  the  sound  that  I've 
been  listening  for  " 

And  long  and  loud  the  triumphant  shout  goes  up  from  that  blood-crim 
soned  but  victory-crowned  crest,  and  is  soon  caught  up  and  echoed  and 
re-echoed  until  the  whole  army  knew,  as  well  as  the  survivors  of  that 
heroic  phalanx  that  had  received  and  repelled  that  all-pending  charge, 
that  Lee's  last  desperate  effort  had  failed  and  the  field  of  Gettysburg  was 
won. 

From  the  foregoing,  some  idea  may  be  gotten  of  the  Union  soldier's 
reflections  and  knowledge  concerning  the  progress  and  result  of  that 
momentous  struggle  of  the  third  day  at  Gettysburg,  known  as  Pickett's 
grand  charge,  though  he  had  no  means  of  information  except  the  sounds 
that  came  to  his  ears. 

And  thus  ended,  what  has  already  been  accorded  to  it  by  the  pen  of  the 
historian,  and  what  it  will  ever  remain  so  long  as  the  history  of  nations 
exists,  one  of  the  great  and  decisive  battles  of  the  world.  But  though 
taking,  at  once  and  undisputed,  a  place  in  the  first  class,  yet  its  proper 
place  or  rank  therein,  time,  reaching  into  the  distant  future,  can  alone 
decide. 

The  spot  where  General  Armstead  fell  —  the  high-water  mark  of  the 
great  American  Rebellion  —  was  not  only  the  pivotal  point  of  this  battle 
and  the  war,  and  therefore  the  grave  of  slavery  and  the  birthplace  of 
universal  freedom  on  Columbia's  broad  and  beautiful  domain,  but  it  was 
and  is  the  real  Itasca  from  which  now  flows  and  shall  continue  to  flow  for 
centuries  to  come,  a  stream  that  shall  purify  her  cities  and  replenish  her 
fields  ;  and  make  even  her  barren  mountain  tops  and  her  desert  plains  fur- 


Netv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  135 

nish  sustenance  for  millions  now  unborn,  and  her  valleys  and  prairies  to 
blossom  as  the  rose. 

Could  the  patriot  heroes  who  yielded  up  their  lives  upon  this  battle 
field  have  seen,  with  their  last  wishful  look,  the  greatness,  grandeur,  and 
glory  that  their  life's  blood  was  to  purchase  and  secure  for  the  countless 
generations  of  coming  time,  they  would  have  died,  as  some  of  them  did, 
with  a  smile  of  satisfaction  upon  their  countenances. 

The  next  day  was  the  glorious  Fourth  of  July,  and  a  glorious  day 
indeed  it  was  for  the  nation,  with  her  banners  floating  triumphantly  over 
the  field  of  Gettysburg  and  upon  the  ramparts  of  Vicksburg. 

Early  in  the  morning  Captains  Thomas  E.  Barker  and  Edwin  E.  Bedee 
arrived  on  the  field,  having  recovered  from  their  wounds  received  at 
Chancellorsville,  and  the  former  immediately  took  command  of  the  regi 
ment. 

The  Twelfth,  like  all  the  rest  of  the  army,  except  the  cavalry,  remained 
all  day  inactive  on  the  field,  for  it  was  not  known  certainly  until  the  next 
day  that  the  enemy  was  retreating. 

During  the  afternoon  and  night  the  rain  descended  in  torrents,  filling 
the  burial  trenches  that  had  been  dug  before  the  rain  commenced ;  and 
some  of  them,  filled  with  dead  bodies,  but  left  uncovered,  presented  a 
sickening  sight  the  next  morning  amid  the  horrors  of  war. 

But  from  sounds,  not  less  than  sights,  will  some  of  the  fortunate  sur 
vivors  of  that  battle  remember  with  sad  hearts  that  field  of  suffering  and 
death,  even  after  the  cannon  and  musket  were  silent,  as  they  hunted  by 
the  moon's  pale  light  for  comrades  who  had  fallen  in  the  strife  of  the  day. 
Cries  .for  water,  groans  of  agony,  and  prayers  for  mercy  and  relief  by 
death,  could  be  heard  from  every  direction. 

But  when  all  such  pitiful  sounds  have  ceased  and  solemn  silence  reigns, 
one  visit  to  a  battle-field  while  the  dead  are  yet  unburied  is  enough  for  a 
lifetime. 

"When  all  is  past,  it  is  humbling  to  tread 
O'er  the  weltering  field  of  the  tombless  dead." 

As  showing  the  terrible  realities  of  war,  and  its  attending  hardships  and 
suffering  that  end  not  with  the  battle,  the  following  graphic  description 
from  the  pen  of  General  Imboden,  of  the  Confederate  army,  who  had 
charge  of  the  long  train  of  the  wounded  that  left  the  field  of  Gettysburg 
at  4  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  the  4th  of  July  on  its  retreat  southward, 
will  be  found  especially  interesting  : 

Shortly  after  noon  the  very  windows  of  heaven  seemed  to  have  been  opened. 
Rain  fell  in  dashing  torrents,  and  in  a  little  while  the  whole  face  of  the  earth  was 
covered  with  water.  The  meadows  became  small  lakes,  raging  streams  ran 
across  the  road  in  every  depression  of  the  ground.  The  storm  increased  in  fury 
every  moment,  canvas  was  no  protection  against  it,  and  the  poor  wounded  lying 
upon  the  hard,  naked  boards  of  the  wagon-bodies  were  drenched  by  the  cold 


136  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

rain.  Horses  and  mules  were  blinded  and  maddened  by  the  storm  and  became 
almost  unmanageable.  The  roar  of  the  winds  and  waters  made  it  almost  impos 
sible  to  communicate  orders ;  night  was  rapidly  approaching  and  there  was  dan 
ger  that  in  the  darkness  the  confusion  would  become  "  worse  confounded." 

About  4  p.  M.  the  head  of  the  column  was  put  in  motion  and  begun  the  ascent 
of  the  mountain.  The  train  was  seventeen  miles  long  when  drawn  out  on  the 
road.  It  was  moving  rapidly  and  from  every  wagon  issued  wails  of  agony.  For 
four  hours  I  galloped  along,  passing  to  the  front  and  heard  more — it  was  too 
dark  to  see  —  of  the  horrors  of  war  than  I  had  witnessed  from  the  battle  of  Bull  Run 
to  that  day.  In  the  wagons  were  men  wounded  and  mutilated  in  every  conceivable 
way.  Some  had  their  legs  shattered  by  a  shell  or  Minie-ball ;  some  were  shot 
through  their  bodies ;  others  had  arms  torn  to  shreds ;  some  had  received  a  ball 
in  the  face,  or  a  jagged  piece  of  shell  had  lacerated  their  heads. 

Scarcely  one  in  a  hundred  had  received  adequate  surgical  aid  ;  and  many  had 
been  without  food  for  thirty-six  hours. 

Their  ragged,  dirty,  and  bloody  clothes,  all  clotted  and  hardened  with  blood, 
were  rasping  the  tender,  inflamed  lips  of  their  gaping  wounds.  Very  few  of 
the  wagons  had  even  straw  in  them,  and  all  were  without  springs.  The  road 
was  rough  and  rocky.  The  jolting  was  enough  to  have  killed  strong,  sound 
men.  From  nearly  every  wagon  as  the  horses  trotted  along  such  cries  and 
shrieks  as  these  greeted  the  ears : 

' '  O  God  !     Why  can't  I  die  ?  " 

"My  God!   Will  no  one  have  mercy  and  kill  me,  and  end  my  misery?" 

"Oh  !   stop  one  minute,  take  me  out  and  leave  me  by  the  roadside  to  die." 

"  I  am  dying !  lam  dying!  Oh,  my  poor  wife  and  children!  What  will  be 
come  of  you  ?  " 

Some  were  praying,  others  were  uttering  the  most  fearful  oaths  and  impreca 
tions  that  despair  could  wring  from  them  in  their  agony. 

Occasionally  a  wagon  would  be  passed  from  which  only  low,  deep  moans  and 
groans  could  be  heard. 

No  help  could  be  given  to  any  of  the  sufferers.      On,  on,  we  must  move  on. 

The  storm  continued  and  the  darkness  was  fearful.  There  was  no  time  even 
to  fill  a  canteen  with  water  for  a  dying  man ;  for,  except  the  drivers  and  guards, 
disposed  in  compact  bodies  every  half  mile,  all  were  wounded  in  that  vast  train 
of  human  misery. 

No  language  can  convey  an  idea  of  the  horrors  of  that  most  horrible  of  all 
nights  of  our  long  and  bloody  war. 

The  ground  where  the  regiment  lay,  or  tried  to  that  night,  was  almost 
flooded  with  water,  and  some  of  the  men  stood  up  or  sat  down  on  stumps 
or  stones,  while  others  soundly  slept,  stretched  out  at  full  length  in  mud 
and  water  beneath,  and  a  constantly  increasing  supply  of  the  latter  freely 
bestowed  upon  them  from  the  heavens  above. 

It  would  not  take  more  than  one  ngiht's  bivouac  like  this,  without  any 
part  of  the  experience  of  the  day  before,  to  make  some  of  those  who 
seem  to  think  that  the  Government  is  too  liberal  in  bestowing  pensions 
upon  the  Union  soldiers  to  seriously  reconsider  the  matter  for  the  remain- 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  137 

der  of  their  lives,  and,  dying  repentant,  leave  all  their  property,  in  trust, 
for  the  aid  and  support  of  soldier's  homes. 

As  soon  as  light  enough  to  see,  a  move  was  made  to  higher  ground, 
but  the  regiment  still  remained  in  the  woods.  The  forenoon  was  spent 
by  the  men  in  trying  to  get  warm  inside  and  dry  out,  for  notwithstanding 
it  was  in  the  hot  month  of  July,  the  men  had  been  so  drenched  and  soaked 
that  all  were  more  or  less  chilled. 

Two  days  more  passed  and  no  movement  of  the  army,  although  on  the 
6th  several  orders  were  received  to  be  ready  to  march  at  a  moment's 
notice,  but  as  often  countermanded. 

A  statement  was  circulated  on  this  day  that  our  cavalry  had  destroyed 
the  enemy's  pontoon  bridge  across  the  Potomac  at  Falling  Waters.  It 
might  as  well  have  remained  untouched,  so  far  as  any  advantage  there 
from  accrued  to  our  army. 

By  3  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  yth  the  Third  Corps  was  get 
ting  ready  to  move ;  and,  half  an  hour  later,  it  was  on  the  road  to 
Emmitsburg,  where  the  First  Brigade  halted  until  1.15  P.  M.,  and  then 
pushed  on  to  Mechanicstown,  a  distance  of  eighteen  miles,  and  biv 
ouacked  about  a  mile  from  the  town. 

The  8th  brought  rain  and  sunshine  with  a  continuation  of  the  march 
southward  as  far  as  Frederick  City,  the  march  commencing  at  6  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  and  ending  at  10  o'clock  at  night. 

The  next  day  General  Carr  took  command  of  the  division,  General 
Humphreys  accepting  the  position  of  chief  of  staff  to  General  Hooker. 

At  5  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  troops  were  again  on  the  road  toward 
Middleton,  reaching  there  a  few  hours  later.  Here  rations  were  issued, 
and,  after  a  brief  rest,  the  march  was  resumed  at  10  A.  M.  and  continued  to 
South  Mountain.  Starting  again  at  6  p.  M.,  another  march  of  four  miles 
was  made  over  the  mountain  to  Fox  Gap.  It  was  nearly  9  o'clock  be 
fore  the  Twelfth  encamped  for  the  night,  but  a  short  distance  down  from 
the  top  of  the  mountain. 

On  the  loth  Gen.  Henry  Prince  assumed  command  of  the  division,  and 
General  Carr  was  returned  to  his  own  brigade. 

It  was  nearly  10  A.  M.  when  the  division  again  moved  forward,  march 
ing  down  the  west  side  of  the  mountain  to  Keedysville  ;  and  halting  there 
from  i  to  5  P.  M.,  it  moved  to  near  Sharpsburg,  crossing  Little  Antietam 
on  a  stone  bridge,  and  bivouacking  about  a  mile  beyond  at  7  o'clock  in 
the  evening. 

Here  rest  and  sleep  were  expected,  but  instead  of  either  there  came  at 
10  P.  M.  an  order  to  move  again  ;  and,  without  even  a  resting  halt,  five 
miles  more  were  left  behind,  the  division  finally  stopping  not  far  from 
Boonsborough  about  3  o'clock  the  next  morning. 

The  whole  division  here  bivouacked  in  a  large  wheat  field  upon  which 
the  wheat  had  been  cut  and  stacked  up  to  dry. 


138  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

No  small  share  of  the  wheat  was  utilized  as  beds  for  the  weary  men, 
and  feed  for  the  tired  and  hungry  horses. 

This  was  a  hard  and  trying  march ;  but  it  was  chasing  Lee  back  into 
Virginia,  instead  of  following  him  on  his  raid  into  the  North,  and  the 
courage  of  the  troops  was  good  and  helped  them  along. 

During  the  day,  which  was  very  hot,  the  men  suffered  considerably, 
but  the  four  hours  halt  in  the  afternoon  greatly  relieved  them. 

During  the  march  some  of  the  old  troops  found  themselves  again  on  the 
battle-field  of  Antietam. 

During  a  short  halt  made  near  where  the  battle  commenced,  these  old 
veterans,  as  they  felt  themselves  to  be,  related  many  incidents  of  that 
battle  ;  and  much  was  said  by  them  in  relation  to  the  merits  and  demerits 
of  General  McClellan,  and  the  gain  or  loss  to  the  country  arising  from 
his  retirement  from  active  service.  There  was  a  wide  difference  of  opin 
ion  noticeable  even  among  his  old  soldiers ;  but  the  majority  seemed  to 
think  him  too  slow  a  coach  to  run  on  the  Richmond  route. 

For  the  next  four  days  the  army  made  but  little  progress,  the  Third 
Corps  remaining  nearly  stationary. 

The  reason  for  this  will  soon  be  apparent.  It  seemed  as  if  General 
Meade  were  waiting  for  the  rear  guard  of  the  retreating  rebels  to  safely 
pioneer  his  advance.  It  was  only  necessary  for  Lee's  rear  guard  to  face 
about,  to  at  once  check  Meade's  pursuit,  and  the  generals  in  command  of 
the  advance  Union  forces  were  constantly  warned  not  to  bring  on  a  gen 
eral  engagement.  It  was  the  hare  following  the  bear,  so  far  as  the  two 
commanders  were  concerned. 

At  Falling  Waters  there  was  some  growling  by  the  bear,  as  he  turned 
around  and  showed  his  teeth,  and  immediately,  as  if  badly  frightened,  a 
part  of  Meade's  army  —  one  division  at  least — took  the  back  track  and 
marched  swiftly  through  Tilghmanton  and  Fair  Play,  over  the  battle-field 
of  Antietam  again,  to  Sharpsburg,  bivouacking  about  two  miles  beyond 
the  town  at  1.30  P.  M. 

This,  however,  was  on  the  i5th,  two  days  after  Lee  with  his  main 
army  had  crossed  the  Potomac  at  Williamsport  without  serious  molesta 
tion  from  a  victorious  pursuing  army,  reinforced  by  several  thousand 
men,  close  upon  his  heels. 

The  reason  of  the  previous  delay  of  several  days  was  now  easily  un 
derstood  by  the  privates  as  well  as  the  generals.  Lee's  pontoon  bridge 
across  the  Potomac  at  Falling  Waters  had  been  destroyed  by  our  cavalry 
by  direction  of  General  French,  acting  without  orders,  and  the  heavy 
rains  had  rendered  the  river  unfordable. 

Escape  for  the  defeated,  retreating,  discouraged,  and  almost  exhausted 
rebel  army  now  seemed  impossible  ;  and  the  end  of  the  war  appeared 
nearer  than  ever  before  since  its  commencement. 

Here  stern  necessity  compelled  General  Lee  to  face  about  and  stand  at 
bay.  It  was  a  trying  and  critical  situation  and  condition  of  things  for  the 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  139 

Confederate  commander  —  nearly  out  of  ammunition  for  his  guns,  and 
quite  destitute  of  food  for  his  men,  with  a  swollen  torrent  deep  and  wide 
before  him,  his  bridges  burned,  and  a  powerful  and  exultant  army  close 
upon  his  rear  and  crowding  him  to  the  very  verge  —  but  the  Federal 
Chief,  as  if  too  magnanimous  to  make  an  enemy's  necessity  his  oppor 
tunity,  though  that  was  the  very  game  he  was  trying  to  play,  stood 
accommodatingly  back,  and  kindly  and  patiently  waited  three  or  four 
days  until  his  unfortunate  antagonist  could  build  log  rafts  and  improvise 
bridges  to  get  his  men  and  guns  across  ! 

Of  all  the  blunders  that  the  Government,  its  officers  and  generals,  ever 
made  during  the  whole  war  —  and  there  were  many  —  none,  certainly 
none,  can  reasonably  compare  with  this.  To  the  careful  and  unbiased 
student  of  American  history,  it  must  and  will  stand  out  as  the  most  con 
spicuous  and  inexcusable  of  them  all. 

It  is  sad  to  contemplate  how  many  thousands  of  lives  might  have  been 
saved,  and  the  incalculable  amount  of  suffering  and  sorrow  that  might 
have  been  avoided  by  ending  the  war  at  Williamsport  instead  of  Appo- 
mattox. 

Lincoln  was  so  greatly  and  painfully  disappointed,  that  with  all  his 
kindness  and  forbearance,  he  could  not  withhold  an  official  expression  of 
his  feelings,  in  terms  implying  strong  dissatisfaction  of  Meade's  lack  of 
courage  and  energy  in  following  up  Lee's  defeated  and  dispirited  army, 
after  its  final  repulse  at  Gettysburg.  It  was  a  just  and  deserving  rebuke, 
and  was  so  keenly  felt  by  General  Meade  that  he  at  once  tendered  his 
resignation,  which,  however,  was  not  accepted. 

Of  this  "  marvelous  escape,"  as  it  has  been  called  by  an  eminent  histo 
rian,  no  one  had  greater  cause  to  complain  than  those  of  the  rank  and  file 
who  by  their  long  suffering  and  heroism  had  made  that  escape  impossi 
ble,  if  anything  had  been  done  to  prevent  it. 

True  it  was,  and  gladly  so,  that  Lee's  hitherto  victorious  legions  had 
met  with  a  signal  defeat,  and  the  free  North  was  no  longer  invaded  or 
threatened  by  their  presence  ;  but  the  richest  fruits  of  this  great  victory, 
that  the  Union  Volunteers  had  won  at  such  a  sacrifice,  were  allowed  to 
drop  unplucked  and  rot  upon  the  very  soil  that  had  been  enriched  by 
their  own  blood,  and  the  blood  of  their  dead  and  wounded  comrades. 

And  it  is  in  their  behalf,  and  in  justice  to  their  memory,  that  this 
defenceless  delay  and  neglect — little  better,  if  not  "  worse  than  a  crime" — 
is  especially  alluded  to  in  this  history.  Whoever  else  was  at  fault,  sure  it 
is  that  he  who  carried  the  musket  was  not. 

Among  all  the  questions  of  fact  and  theory,  or  of  imaginary  specula 
tions,  as  to  the  whys  and  wherefores  of  the  great  error  of  permitting  Lee's 
army  to  cross  the  Potomac,  no  one  has  ever  dared  by  tongue  or  pen  to 
even  insinuate  that  those  who  really  had  the  work  to  do  of  stopping  him, 
were  not  only  then  and  there  ready  and  willing  to  perform  it,  but  were 
impatient  to  attack,  and  dissatisfied  and  indignant  that  they  were  not 
allowed  the  privilege  of  doing  so. 


140  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

The  average  judgment  of  the  rank  and  file  of  that  army  then,  as  many 
times  before  and  afterward,  was  incomparably  superior  to  that  of  its  com 
mander,  with  all  his  corps  advisors.  And  if  General  Meade  had  con 
sulted  them,  stating  the  whole  facts  of  the  situation  as  far  as  he  knew 
them,  instead  of  his  major-generals,  and  acted  accordingly,  Lincoln 
would  have  had  no  reason  to  have  bitterly  complained  of  the  result. 

But,  as  before  referred  to,  now  that  it  was  too  late  for  special  good  and 
but  little  danger  of  doing  the  enemy  harm,  there  was  great  haste  mani 
fested.  The  run  from  Falling  Waters  to  Sharpsburg — for  it  was  more 
of  a  race  than  a  march  —  was  a  painful  reminder  of  some  of  the  forced 
marches  toward  Gettysburg  a  week  or  two  before.  No  time  was  given 
the  men  for  several  hours  to  eat,  drink,  or  rest. 

With  no  breakfast  to  start  on,  and  no  halt  for  dinner,  on,  on,  they  push 
their  weary  way,  while  constantly  from  the  head  of  the  column  comes 
back  the  order  "  Close  up,  close  up,"  it  is  no  wonder  that  some,  thinking 
that  without  adequate  cause  they  were  being  treated  more  like  "  dumb 
driven  cattle"  than  human  beings,  grew  savagely  cross,  and  that  the 
murmur  of  their  grumbling  protests  grew  louder  despite  the  efforts  of  the 
officers  to  check  it.  If  the  game  had  not  already  escaped,  there  would 
have  been  some  reason  for  the  mad  chase.  Nature's  calls  for  rest  and 
food  were  urgent  and  imperative,  the  latter  being  answered  at  the  expense 
of  one  or  two  sutlers,  whose  stock  in  trade  was  soon  disposed  of  by 
involuntary  distribution. 

The  morn  was  cloudy,  but  the  day  clear  and  hot,  and  the  suffering 
great.  This  was  followed  the  next  day  by  a  hard,  toilsome  march,  of 
twelve  or  fifteen  miles,  over  South  Mountain  and  through  Brownsville  to 
Pleasant  Valley  ;  and  on  the  lyth  the  Third  Corps  crossed  the  Potomac  at 
Harper's  Ferry  and  encamped  for  the  night  on  Boliver  Heights. 

As  the  troops  marched  past  the  engine-house  where  "  Old  John  Brown" 
heroically  defended  himself  against  the  combined  attack  of  the  state 
militia  and  citizens,  they  struck  up  the  old  refrain  connected  with  his 
name  ;  and  who  that  chimed  in  on  the  chorus,  as  all  did,  could  help 
thinking  it  true  in  a  broader  sense  than  ever  dreamed  of  that 

"  —  his  soul  is  marching  on." 

Again  on  the  Virginia  side  of  the  river,  the  march  was  continued  through 
Hillsborough,  Wood  Grove,  Upperville,  Piedmont,  Markham,  Manassas 
Gap,  to  Wapping  Heights  and  Front  Royal. 

At  two  or  three  places  along  this  route,  the  Twelfth  bivouacked  near 
where  the  regiment  encamped  the  fall  before  on  its  march  from  Berlin  to 
Falmouth.  kt  Much  of  the  way,"  writes  one  of  the  Twelfth,  "was 
hemmed  in  by  hills  and  mountains,  and  reminded  us  of  our  own  moun 
tain  home." 

Blackberries,  large,  ripe,  and  delicious  were  very  plentiful,  and  the 
many  fruit  lunches  that  the  boys  were  privileged  to  enjoy  at  every  halt 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  141 

and  camp  along  the  march  proved  of  great  value  to  them  both  as  a  food 
and  a  medicine.  Many  who  were  suffering  from  stomach  and  bowel 
affections  were  greatly  helped  or  entirely  cured. 

Concerning  the  engagement  near  Front  Royal,  called  Wapping 
Heights,  the  following  description  from  the  diary  of  Captain  Musgrove 
will  be  found  both  accurate  and  interesting  : 

Early  Thursday  morning,  July  lyth,  we  started  again,  and  leaving  the  War- 
rington  road,  took  the  one  leading  through  Manassas  Gap  to  Front  Royal.  The 
road  was  up  and  down  steep  hills,  over  rocks,  and  through  brooks.  The  road 
thus  hard  and  the  day  hot,  we  were  glad  to  halt  and  stack  arms  about  four  miles 
from  Front  Royal.  Here  the  cavalry  men  told  us  that  the  "  Rebs"  were  but  two 
or  three  miles  in  advance,  and  soon  we  saw  a  part  of  the  Third  Brigade 
advance  as  skirmishers  and  very  soon  open  fire.  They  continued  to  advance 
and  the  reserve  to  follow  up,  with  the  remainder  of  the  brigade  in  line  of  battle. 

We  had  a  fine  view  of  this  advance.  As  expected,  our  turn  to  move  forward 
soon  came.  The  enemy  fell  slowly  back  for  about  a  mile,  we  following,  when 
the  firing  commenced  to  grow  warmer,  and  the  enemy  opened  upon  us  with 
their  artillery,  but  fell  short  of  reaching  us  and  did  us  but  little  harm. 

We  took  quite  a  number  of  prisoners  as  we  moved  onward.  Two  rebels, 
when  they  saw  a  captain  fall  in  our  lines,  threw  down  their  guns  and  ran  and 
helped  him  to  our  rear,  thus  getting  into  our  lines. 

Darkness  coming  on,  we  lay  down  to  rest  on  the  ground  by  our  arms,  with 
equipments  all  on,  ready  to  spring  into  line  at  a  moment's  warning.  We  had  no 
permission  to  sleep,  even  in  that  condition,  but  as  the  order  was  to  rest,  and 
fatigued  as  we  were,  we  soon  fell  asleep  and  did  not  wake  up  until  morning, 
although  we  lay  on  the  rocks  upon  the  side  of  a  hill  so  steep  that  we  had  to  get 
our  heels  against  a  stone  to  keep  from  sliding  down. 

We  expected  a  renewal  of  the  fight  the  next  day,  but  in  the  morning  there  were 
no  rebels  to  be  found,  and  we  advanced  to  within  a  mile  of  Front  Royal,  when 
a  single  shell  sent  over  by  the  enemy  caused  us  to  halt,  form  a  line  of  battle 
again,  and  in  this  way  we  moved  forward  upon  ground  perfectly  awful  to  march 
over.  When  we  got  to  the  town  we  halted,  and  a  cavalry  force  was  sent  ahead, 
but  discovered  no  rebels  this  side  of  the  Shenandoah  river.  We  then  retraced  our 
steps,  and  marched  back  about  eight  miles  where  we  encamped  for  the  night. 
Yesterday  we  marched  about  sixteen  miles,  halting  for  the  night  within  six  miles 
of  Warrington,  where  our  regiment  did  picket  duty,  starting  again  this  morning 
about  5  o'clock. 

We  supposed  we  were  to  have  a  rest  at  Warrington,  and  draw  some  shoes  and 
clothing,  which  we  were  really  suffering  for.  My  feet  had  been  so  sore  for 
several  days  as  to  give  me  great  pain  every  time  I  stepped.  Instead  of  resting, 
we  passed  through  the  town  toward  Culpepper.  It  was  hot  and  dusty,  and  we 
were  so  worn  out  that  it  seemed  impossible  to  move  any  further.  In  this  con 
dition  we  were  taking  a  short  rest,  and  the  bugle  had  just  sounded  for  us  to  "fall 
in,"  when  an  order  came  for  our  regiment  to  proceed  no  further,  as  we  were 
detached  from  our  brigade  and  ordered  to  report  to  General  Marston.  It  was 
said  we  were  going  to  Point  Lookout  to  guard  prisoners ;  and  if  ever  news  was 
gladly  received  by  weary  soldiers,  this  was  by  us.  Yet  we  hardly  dared  to 


142  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

believe  it  true,  but  we  were  glad  for  a  change  of  some  or  almost  any  kind  that 
promised  a  little  rest. 

We  have  already  marched  back  here  to  Warrington  this  afternoon,  and  are 
now  waiting  for  the  train. 

From  Wapping  Heights  to  Front  Royal  the  First  Brigade  took  the 
lead,  advancing  part  of  the  way  in  line  of  battle  over  hills,  rocks,  and 
through  brooks,  swamps,  and  ravines ;  but  finding  nothing  to  fight, 
formed  into  column  and  marched  back  to  Markham  and  encamped  for 
the  night.  The  next  day  it  started  again  at  4  A.  M.,  and  marched  through 
Piedmont  and  Salem  to  White  Plains,  where  the  Twelfth  Regiment  went 
on  picket  and  was  exposed  to  a  severe  shower  during  the  night. 

Little  did  the  rain-soaked  and  march-worn  sentinels  of  that  weary  but 
watchful  picket  Tine  think,  as  they  stood  as  faithful  but  almost  disheart 
ened  outposts  on  that  wet  and  gloomy  night,  that  they  were  so  near  the 
end  of  their  long  and  wearisome  marches,  and  that  before  another  night 
should  come  they  would  be  relieved  from  the  tiring  toils  of  war  in  the 
field,  and  preparing  to  leave  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  for  a  pleasant 
place  of  rest  and  safety  in  camp. 

Coming,  as  it  did,  all  unexpected,  the  order  for  the  Second,  Fifth,  and 
Twelfth  New  Hampshire  regiments  to  be  detached  from  the  Third  Corps 
and  to  report  at  Washington  for  guard  duty,  seemed  too  much  like  a 
dream  or  idle  camp  story  to  be  credited  :  and  not  until  the  Second  and 
the  Twelfth  found  themselves  on  rail  en  route  for  the  Capital,  that  con 
gratulations  were  exchanged  and  the  realization  of  the  welcome  truth 
begun  to  be  felt. 

At  noon  of  the  2yth  the  Second  and  Twelfth  regiments  bade  farewell  to 
Meade's  army,  and  took  the  train  for  Washington,  followed  by  another 
train  loaded  with  prisoners  captured  at  Wapping  Heights  and  Front 
Royal.  The  train  stopped  at  Warrington  Junction  until  5  o'clock,  and 
then  proceeded  to  Alexandria,  arriving  there  about  sunset.  Here  another 
stop  was  made,  and  some  of  the  sick  sent  in  ambulances  to  general  hos 
pitals  in  the  city.  They  would  have  fain  kept  along  with  their  old  com 
rades,  but  their  condition  was  too  low  and  feeble  to  go  further,  and  "we 
said  good-bye,  to  some  of  them,  forever." 

Here  also,  as  at  Warrington  before  starting,  the  rebel  prisoners  were 
greeted  and  feasted  by  the  citizens,  from  whom  acts  of  kindness  and 
words  of  love  and  sympathy,  by  men,  women,  and  children  who  soon 
gathered  around,  evinced  how  strong  and  bitter  was  the  feeling  they  still 
cherished  against  the  Union  and  its  organized  power  that  had  conquered 
their  army  at  Gettysburg,  and  were  now  bringing  back  their  fathers, 
brothers,  and  sons  as  prisoners  of  war. 

It  was  nearly  midnight  when  the  trains  reached  Washington.  Here 
again  there  was  a  welcome  greeting  for  the  guarded  Gray,  but  none  for 
the  conquering  heroes  in  Blue,  who  had  so  long  and  faithfully  guarded 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  143 

the  National  Capital  itself,  and  who  had,  but  two  or  three  weeks  before, 
saved  it  from  capture  on  the  field  of  Gettysburg. 

From  the  almost  sumptuous  supply  of  food  and  clothing  that  the  prison 
ers  received  from  relatives  and  friends,  and  the  complaint  that  some  of 
them  made,  that  it  was  hard  to  be  held  as  prisoners  of  war  in  their  own 
city,  one  would  have  supposed,  without  other  means  of  knowing,  that  he 
was  in  Richmond  instead  of  Washington.  And  this  was  by  no  means  the 
only  squad  of  rebel  prisoners  captured  and  sent  North  among  which 
could  be  found  former  residents  and  natives  of  the  city.  Eliminating  the 
colored  population,  and  at  least  three  out  of  every  five  of  the  residents  of 
Washington  at  the  commencement  of  the  war  were  outright  Secessionists. 

If  he  who  never  marched  in  the  ranks  would  learn  a  sad  lesson  of  the 
frightful  scourge  of  war,  he  can  study  and  fully  understand  it  by  the  fol 
lowing  truthful  illustration. 

But  little  more  than  nine  months  before,  the  Twelfth  Regiment  had  left 
Washington  with  nearly  one  thousand  strong  and  hardy  men,  to  bear  its 
part  of  the  burden  of  toil  and  danger  that  rested  upon  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  Now  it  returns  with  nearly  a  score  less  than  one  tenth  of  that 
number,  sick  and  well,  and  breaks  its  ranks  at  the  "  Soldier's  Rest"  with 
only  sixty-nine  muskets  in  stack! 

No  wonder  that  Lieutenant-Colonel  Marsh,  who  had  not  seen  the  regi 
ment  before  since  he  left  it  on  the  field  of  Chancellorsville,  exclaimed, 
"  My  God  !  Is  this  all  that  is  left  of  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire?"  and 
cried  like  a  child ;  or  that  Captain  May,  who  left  it  at  the  same  time  and 
rejoined  it  here,  when  he  saw  the  ragged  and  haggard  condition  of  that 
pitiable  remnant — some  of  them  not  able  to  be  outside  of  the  hospital 
and  all  without  clothes  or  money  —  pulled  out  his  pocket-book  and  said, 
"  Here,  boys,  help  yourselves,"  giving  and  loaning  to  the  amount  of  sev 
eral  hundred  dollars.  With  memory  active  to  draw  the  contrast  between 
then  and  now,  it  was  a  sad  and  sorrowful  picture  indeed. 

For  forty-seven  consecutive  days  the  regiment  had  been  in  active  cam 
paign  service,  most  of  the  time  on  the  road  or  the  battle-field,  making 
many  forced  marches  by  night  as  well  as  by  day ;  and  the  condition  of 
the  men  was  one  of  actual  destitution  and  suffering.  A  single  glance 
could  reveal  enough,  but  could  not  all  discover;  for  it  required  a  much 
closer  and  more  searching  inspection  to  perceive  the  worst,  that  could 
only  be  realized  by  the  sense  of  feeling,  as  well  as  of  sight.  The  tired, 
haggard  look  ;  the  worn-out  shoes,  affording  but  little  or  no  protection  to 
their  feet;  and  the  dirty,  ragged  clothes,  scarcely  sufficient  to  cover 
their  bodies  and  screen  them  from  the  burning  rays  of  the  sun,  —  all  told 
the  same  story  of  hardship  and  suffering. 

But  the  toils  and  dangers  of  the  march  and  the  field  were  now  over 
with  them  for  awhile  ;  and  the  discomfort  and  misery  of  their  bodily  con 
dition  were  also  soon  to  end  by  an  expurgation  of  water  and  fire,  as  will 
be  referred  to  in  the  next  chapter. 


144  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

But  if  the  war-worn  veterans  of  the  Second  and  Twelfth  regiments  had 
much  reason  to  rejoice,  those  of  the  Fifth  had  more  ;  for  no  sooner  did 
they  reach  Washington  than  they  were  ordered  to  proceed  to  Concord, 
N.  H.,  to  rest  and  recruit,  where  they  could  all  get  a  chance  to  visit  their 
homes.  They  did  not  rejoin  the  brigade  at  Point  Lookout  until  the  I3th 
of  November. 

The  next  day  after  their  arrival  an  amusing  incident  occurred  among 
the  men  of  the  two  regiments  which,  though  it  may  not  serve  "  to  point 
a  moral  or  adorn  a  tale,"  is  nevertheless  significantly  illustrative  of  not 
only  how  little  a  thing  can  frighten  the  brave,  but  of  how  closely  con 
nected  the  lachrymose  and  ludicrous  phases  of  our  lives  sometimes  appear. 

The  Second  and  Twelfth  regiments  were  quartered  in  the  same  bar 
racks  and  close  together ;  and  some  one  in  the  latter  regiment,  in  the  still 
hour  of  the  night  when  all  was  quiet,  accidentally  hit  one  of  the  guns 
that  were  stacked  at  their  feet,  causing  three  or  four  of  the  gunstocks  to 
fall  with  a  crashing  noise  upon  the  floor.  Instantly  both  regiments  were 
upon  their  feet  and  groping  and  grasping  in  the  darkness  for  their  guns, 
which  some  got  hold  of  and  were  actually  in  the  act  of  using  them  against 
each  other,  before  they  became  sufficiently  awakened  to  remember  that 
they  were  in  Washington  city  instead  of  on  the  vedette  line  in  front  of  the 
enemy. 

And  thus  ended  with  these  two  regiments,  as  well  as  the  Fifth,  the 
memorable  Gettysburg  campaign. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

POINT  LOOKOUT. 

At  6  o'clock  P.  M.,  on  the  3Oth  of  July,  1863,  the  Second  and  Twelfth 
regiments,  with  about  two  hundred  prisoners,  embarked  on  board  the 
steamer  "John  Brooks,"  at  yth  street  wharf  in  Washington,  and  were 
soon  moving  down  the  Potomac,  bound  for  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  and 
arriving  there  about  noon  the  next  day. 

This  place  had  been  selected  by  the  Government  for  the  location  of  a 
large  prison  encampment  which  Gen.  Gilman  Marston,  through  the  influ 
ence  of  Governor  Berry  and  others,  was  now  authorized  to  establish,  and 
to  take  with  him,  for  that  purpose,  the  three  New  Hampshire  regiments 
that  had  suffered  the  most  in  the  field. 

To  troops  that  had  seen  so  much  of  the  dark,  rough  side  of  a  soldier's 
life,  and  had  just  been  through  the  hardest  campaign  of  the  war,  it  was  a 
military  paradise,  where  they  could  find  and  enjoy,  in  quiet  safety,  the 
rest  and  relaxation  that  their  nerves  and  muscles  so  greatly  needed,  and 
which  the  mind  did  not  fail  to  appreciate. 

Washed  by  the  waves  of  the  Chesapeake  on  one  side,  and  separated 
from  Virginia  by  the  broad  mouth  of  the  Potomac  on  the  other ;  within  a 
few  hours'  ride  by  sail  or  steam  of  Washington  and  Baltimore  ;  with  a 
nice  picnic  cluster  of  pine  trees  on  the  extreme  point  to  sweeten  the  air 
and  shade  the  ground,  and  excellent  facilities  for  boating,  fishing,  and 
bathing,  it  had  long  been  a  favorite  resort  for  pleasure  seekers  and 
invalids  from  both  cities.  But  never  did  it  afford  more  heart-felt  relief 
and  gladness  than  to  the  war-worn  veterans  who  now  possessed  it. 

Could  the  many  loved  comrades,  left  buried  behind,  have  been  there  to 
enjoy  it  with  them,  their  cups  would  have  lacked  only  the  sweet  pleasure 
of  home  to  have  overflowed  with  joy  and  gladness. 

This  peninsula  point,  being  all  surrounded  by  water  except  a  narrow 
neck,  easily  guarded,  on  the  north,  and  so  favorably  situated,  near  the 
theatre  of  war  and  the  base  of  supplies,  as  to  save  long  transportation 
of  either  the  prisoners  captured,  or  the  rations  to  feed  them  on,  it  was, 
perhaps,  considering  security,  convenience,  and  comfort,  including  the 
mild  climate  and  healthy  location,  the  best  place  for  a  large  camp  and 
general  depot  for  prisoners  of  war  that  could  have  been  selected. 

The  first  thing  of  importance  after  landing,  and  it  was  very  important 
to  health   and   comfort,  was   a  general   slaughter  by  fire   and  water  of 
"  grav  backs." 
10 


146  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Thousands  were  drowned  in  the  Potomac  into  which  the  boys  rushed 
at  the  first  breaking  of  their  ranks  after  landing,  and  a  thousand  times  as 
many  more  were  consumed  in  the  big  bon-fire  of  coats,  pants,  vests, 
shirts,  socks,  shoes,  and  caps  that  was  kindled  the  next  day  when  the 
quartermaster  stores  were  distributed,  and  each  man  had  the  happy  priv 
ilege  of  receipting  for  a  new  suit  of  clothes  to  take  the  place  of  the  dirty, 
ragged,  vermin-infested  ones  that  they  now  gladly  committed  to  the 
flames.  And  if  there  were  a  few  articles  of  clothing  that  escaped,  be 
cause  thought  too  good  to  be  thus  destroyed,  they  were  at  once  cleaned 
and  purified  by  a  grease-extracting  and  life-extinguishing  souse  and  boil 
in  soap-suds. 

Dressed  cap-a-pie  in  cloth  and  leather  new,  with  faces  shaved  and  hair 
cut  and  combed,  the  boys  looked  as  much  better  as  they  felt,  and  would 
hardly  have  been  recognized  as  the  same  "  Dirty  Dozen,"  as  someone 
called  them,  that  arrived  in  Washington  a  few  days  before. 

There  was  to  be  no  more  skirmishing  for  •'  gray  backs"  now,  either  of 
the  two  or  six  legged  genus,  and  the  entire  relief  from  the  hardship  and 
danger  of  the  one,  and  the  annoyance  and  discomfort  of  the  other,  was 
better  appreciated  than  words  can  well  express. 

No  sooner  were  the  regimental  camps  laid  out,  and  tents  erected 
(which  were  no  longer  the  dog-kennel  shelters,  but  the  much  more  com 
modious  and  comfortable  "A"  tents)  than  work  was  commenced  on  the 
stockade  around  the  prisoners'  quarters. 

This  consisted  of  pine  logs  split  in  the  middle,  and  cut  long  enough  to 
trench  fast  in  the  ground,  and  leave  ten  or  twelve  feet  above  as  the  height 
of  the  pen.  On  the  outside  of  this  stockade,  near  the  top,  was  built  a 
staging  about  four  feet  wide  for  the  sentinels  to  walk  on. 

To  thus  circummure  a  space  of  ground  big  enough  to  accommodate 
several  thousand  men  was  no  small  undertaking,  and  an  invitation  was 
given  to  the  "Johnnies"  to  assist.* 

This  at  first  they  indignantly  declined,  not  deeming  it  good  military 
manners  to  be  asked  to  help  build  their  own  prison  ;  but,  getting  tired  of 
waiting,  they  at  last  concluded  to  bend  their  backs  and  bear  a  hand. 

In  the  meantime  a  detail  of  twenty  men  was  made  from  the  regiments 
to  act  as  mounted  scouts  in  the  country  above  the  Point,  and  watch  for 
any  contraband  trade  or  suspicious  acts  of  the  inhabitants,  most  of  whom 
were  in  active  sympathy  with  the  South. 

There  was,  however,  but  little  fear  of  any  rescuing  force  from  that 
direction,  as  the  narrow  neck,  above  referred  to,  of  only  a  few  rods  in 
width,  was  guarded  by  artillery  and  a  block-house ;  while  the  constant 
presence  of  gunboats  in  the  Potomac  made  any  like  attempt  from  the 
Virginian  shore  equally  hazardous. 

The  camp  was  divided  into  company  quarters,  each  occupied  by  one 
hundred  men  in  charge  of  a  sergeant. 

*  The  prison  pen  was  afterward  enlarged  by  a  post  and  board  fence. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  147 

Strict  police  and  sanitary  regulations  were  enforced,  good  food  and 
pure  water  amply  supplied,  and  nothing  for  the  health  and  comfort  of  the 
prisoners  was  wanting.  In  fact,  with  good  "A"  or  "  Sibley  "  tents  to 
shield  them  from  the  sun,  and  shelter  them  from  the  storm,  and  warm 
clothes  in  winter  to  take  the  place  of  their  ragged  "  butternut  and  jeans," 
they  were  all  much  better  provided  for  than  when  in  their  own  army, 
and  many  of  them  better  supplied  than  ever  before  in  their  lives. 


A  JOLLY  JOHNNY    REB. 
(As  he  looked  upon  his  arrival  at  camp.) 

This  treatment,  so  different  from  that  of  our  own  starving  comrades  in 
the  prison  pens  of  the  South,  and  so  much  better  than  expected  by  the 
rebels  themselves,  soon  made  its  impression,  and  had  a  favorable  effect 
upon  the  recipients.  Sectional  prejudice  and  hatred,  engendered  or 
intensified  by  the  war,  soon  softened  into  respect,  and  even  friendship, 
and  a  great  change  came  over  the  vision  of  their  dreams. 

Not  only  were  their  hurts  softened,  but  their  minds  were  opened  ;  and 
being  both  convicted  and  convinced  their  conversion  was  radical  and  reli 
able,  as  their  future  acts  and  conduct  proved.  They  had,  at  last,  by 
kind  treatment  and  the  new  light  given  them  by  contact  with  their 
hitherto  hated  and  despised  Yankee  foes,  got  their  eyes  open,  and  could 
now  plainly  see,  what  they  never  had  or  could  before,  that  theirs  was,  as 
some  of  them  called  it,  "  the  rich  man's  war  and  the  poor  man's  fight." 

Many  of  these,  willing  to  prove  their  faith  by  their  works,  took  the 
oath  of  allegiance,  and,  exchanging  the  rebel  gray  for  Union  blue, 
enlisted  into  the  Federal  service  where  they  served  faithfully  until  their 
discharge.  Two  full  regiments  were  thus  raised,  and  being  commanded 


148  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

by  men  commissioned  from  the  ranks  of  the  Second,  Fifth,  and  Twelfth 
regiments,  were  sent  to  the  western  frontier  to  fight  the  Indians. 

They  were  known  on  the  war  records  as  the  First  and  Second  United 
States  Volunteers,  but  were  called  by  the  boys,  "  Galvanized  Yanks." 

A  few  of  them  enlisted  into  the  ranks  of  the  Second  Regiment,  as  wil 
ling  then  to  fight  for  the  stars  and  stripes  as  they  had  been  to  battle  for 
the  stars  and  bars,  and  it  is  testimony  of  record,  that  "  braver  and  truer 
men  than  they  proved  themselves  never  fought  beneath  the  old  flag." 

Most  of  them,  however,  who  took  the  oath  of  allegiance  went  into  the 
northern  states  and  found  work  wherever  they  could,  not  daring  to  return 
to  their  homes  in  the  South,  even  if  they  had  been  allowed  to  do  so. 

In  taking  the  oath  they  were  required  to  answer  several  questions,  and 
the  answers  to  these  had  to  be  sent  to  Washington  and  approved  before 
applicants  were  given  their  liberty. 

These  questions  would,  of  course,  be  answered  favorably  whether  the 
applicant  was  acting  in  good  or  bad  faith,  so  that  this  particular  care  and 
formality  was  all  absurdly  useless. 

The  actions  of  these  men,  who  were  healthy  and  comfortable,  were  in 
marked  contrast  to  those  of  our  own  army  in  rebel  prisons,  who,  though 
suffering  every  discomfort  and  misery,  many  of  them  actually  starving, 
chose  to  thus  suffer  and  die  rather  than  by  any  act  or  word  to  show  them 
selves  disloyal  to  their  country  and  its  flag. 

But  while  thousands  were  thus  happily  disposed  of,  three  times  as 
many  more  remained  under  guard.  Squads  and  companies  of  from  fifty 
to  five  hundred  were  coming  in  every  week  or  two  to  take  the  place  of 
those  going  out,  leaving  an  average  in  camp  of  about  five  thousand ; 
although  at  times,  toward  spring,  there  were  more  than  double  that  num 
ber  to  be  watched  and  cared  for. 

With  this  large  number  together,  it  is  not  surprising  that,  however 
good  their  rations  or  kind  their  treatment,  there  should  be  many  discon 
tented  ones,  and  some  who  were  willing  to  take  the  risk  of  an  attempt  to 
escape  rather  than  remain  longer  in  confinement. 

These  few  had  only  to  plan  and  lead,  and  the  rest  of  course  would 
follow ;  and  hence  the  greatest  vigilance  was  required  to  detect  any  indi 
cations  of  this  kind,  for  five  or  six  thousand  men,  who  had  learned  to 
scorn  and  defy  death  in  the  ranks  of  Longstreet  and  Jackson,  against  as 
many  hundred,  though  armed,  taken  by  surprise,  would  have  had  more 
than  even  chances  of  exchanging  the  fortunes  of  war,  and  making  pris 
oners  of  those  who  were  guarding  them.  This  once  accomplished,  their 
final  escape  into  "  Dixie,"  with  the  whole  of  Southern  Maryland  ready 
to  assist  them,  would  have  been  the  easiest  part  of  the  undertaking. 

Hence  the  great  danger,  especially  before  the  arrival  of  the  Fifth 
Regiment,  was  from  a  sortie  from  within,  instead  of  an  attack  from  with 
out.  That  such  an  attempt  was  at  one  time  seriously  considered,  and 
really  intended,  there  is  but  little  doubt. 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  149 

Strong  suspicions,  founded  on  several  minor  but  significant  observa 
tions,  at  last  ripened  into  evidence  too  positive  and  direct  to  be  unheeded. 

The  two  guarding  regiments  —  Second  and  Twelfth  —  were  ordered 
under  arms,  with  muskets  loaded,  and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  double- 
shotted  with  canister,  were  placed  so  as  to  sweep  the  gateway,  while  the 
prisoners  were  all  marched  out  of  their  quarters,  a  company  at  a  time, 
and  a  thorough  search  was  made  of  every  tent  and  the  whole  prison 
ground. 

Several  muskets  were  found,  but  how  they  got  there  was  a  mystery ; 
and  quite  a  number  of  their  bunks,  when  uncovered,  were  found  to  be 
boats  roughly  constructed  from  pieces  of  hard-tack  boxes  and  boards  with 
the  cracks  tightened  with  grease  and  soap,  and  holes  cut  through  the 
sides  near  the  top  for  the  oars  which  were  also  found  all  ready  for  use. 
It  was  further  discovered  that  they  had  dug  a  tunnel  nearly  to  the  outside 
of  the  stockade.  This  was  easily  done  without  attracting  particular 
attention,  as  they,  for  some  time,  had  been  allowed  to  make  sun-burnt 
brick  from  the  clay  found  in  their  enclosure,  to  use  themselves  or  to  sell 
to  the  officers  to  build  chimneys  with  to  their  winter  quarters. 

The  prisoners  had  been  doing  quite  a  business  in  this  line,  but  after  the 
discovery  of  the  tunnel,  no  more  brick-making  was  permitted  in  the  rebel 
camp.  This  source  of  revenue  being  cut  off,  more  attention  was  given 
by  them  to  the  manufacturing  of  rings,  fans,  pipes,  chains,  charms,  etc., 
which  they  readily  exchanged  with  their  blue-clad  guardians  for  "  green 
backs  "  or  government  scrip. 

In  this  kind  of  work  they  evinced,  many  of  them,  considerable  skill 
and  ingenuity.  One  of  them  manufactured  a  clock  that  would  keep  very 
good  time,  and  another  constructed  a  miniature  steam  engine  which  would 
run,  and,  considering  the  material  and  tools  he  was  obliged  to  use,  was 
quite  a  curiosity. 

Beside  the  evidently  concerted  plans  and  efforts  to  escape,  just  referred 
to,  there  were  many  other  attempts  made  by  two,  three,  or  more,  at  a 
time.  These  attempts  —  nearly  always  unsuccessful  —  were  usually  made 
by  dropping  out  and  hiding  away  while  outside  of  the  stockade  for  wood, 
water,  or  bathing,  and,  if  not  found  before  dark,  taking  their  chances  of 
escaping  during  the  night  into  Maryland.  At  one  time  an  attempt  was 
made  to  bribe  the  guard,  which  being  reported,  the  soldier  was  instructed 
the  next  time  he  went  on  guard  to  inform  those  who  had  tried  to  bribe 
him  that  he  would  let  them  out  if  they  would  double  the  amount  offered. 
This  they  agreed  to  do  if  he  would  allow  double  the  number  to  pass  out. 

The  bargain  being  at  last  made,  before  the  next  relief  came  round, 
ten  of  the  liberty-seeking  "Johnnies"  were  outside  of  their  pine-log  sur 
rounding  ;  but,  before  they  knew  it,  found  themselves  inside  of  a  circling 
line  of  mounted  patrolmen,  who,  with  loaded  carbines,  commanded  them 
to  halt.  Two  weeks  in  the  guard-house  on  half-rations  was  their  reward. 
At  another  time  two  or  three  who  had  dropped  out  from  a  squad,  that, 


150  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

was  out  for  some  purpose,  were  allowed  to  remain,  as  if  unnoticed,  until 
late  in  the  night,  when,  thinking  it  safe  to  make  another  move  toward 
their  final  escape,  they  crawl  out  of  their  hiding  places  in  the  bushes, 
stand  erect  for  a  moment  or  two  and  listen,  and  then,  with  low-bent 
bodies,  and  cat-like  steps,  move  silently  forward,  but  only  for  a  few 
steps,  before  the  "zip"  of  bullets  over  and  around  their  heads  causes 
them  to  fall  to  the  ground  and  beg  for  their  lives.  One  of  these  was  shot 
by  an  officer  in  the  Second  Regiment,  after  he  had  cried  for  quarter. 
It  was  a  mean  and  cowardly  act. 

A  few  experiences  like  these,  and  one  or  two  others  related  in  the 
chapter  of  anecdotes,  had  a  tendency  to  convince  the  discontented  ones 
that  it  was  useless  for  any  of  them  to  attempt  an  escape  from  Point 
Lookout,  which  though  a  good  place  to  stay  at,  was  a  very  bad  place  to 
start  from. 

To  show  the  deplorable  condition  of  the  poor  whites  of  the  South, 
under  the  slave-holders'  regime,  it  may  be  properly  referred  to  here,  that 
not  more  than  one  third  of  the  prisoners  could  write  their  own  names. 
It  was  only  by  this  wide-spread  ignorance  through  the  slave  states  (for 
this  class  included  nearly  the  whole  white  population,  except  the  slave 
owners  and  their  families)  that  the  Rebellion  was  made  possible.  And 
hence  it  is  plainly  seen  how  necessary  to  the  welfare  and  safety  of  free 
people  is  the  general  diffusion  of  knowledge. 

Religious  services  were  held  every  Sabbath  in  the  prisoners'  camp,  the 
chaplains  of  the  different  regiments  taking  turns  in  conducting  them,  and 
fervent  interest  was  frequently  manifested,  especially  among  the  soldiers 
from  General  Jackson's  command,  who  had  imbibed  somewhat  of  the 
Christian  zeal  of  their  great  leader. 

They  said  they  used  to  have  great  revivals  in  their  corps  when  Jackson 
was  alive  and  mingled  with  them.  No  wronder  that  his  soldiers  followed 
him  until  they  fell  dead  in  their  tracks,  as  they  were  said  to,  on  their 
forced  marches  around  our  right  flank  at  Chancellorsville,  or  that  they 
fought  with  such  desperation  in  that  battle  to  avenge  his  death  ;  for  re 
ligious  zeal,  as  the  history  of  the  world  shews,  is  one  of  the  strongest 
motive  powers  of  the  human  heart.  It  was  this  that  made  the  armies  of 
Constantine  and  Cromwell  invincible,  and  caused  the  vain  sacrifice  of 
millions  during  the  Crusades. 

But  Christian  interest  and  efforts  were  not  found  in  the  prison  camp 
alone.  By  the  efforts  of  Chaplain  Ambrose  and  others,  money  was  raised 
by  subscription,  and  quite  a  commodious  chapel  was  erected,  where,  in 
bad  as  well  as  good  weather,  religious  services  could  be  held.  Before 
this,  when  pleasant,  meetings  had  been  held  in  a  small  grove  of  pines 
near  the  camp  of  the  Twelfth. 

The  new  chapel  was  dedicated  Sunday,  December  27th,  a  minister  from 
New  York  preaching  a  very  interesting  sermon  from  Matthew,  twenty-first 
chapter  and  twenty-second  verse.  On  the  second  Sabbath  in  January  the 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  151 

chaplain  delivered  one  of  his  ablest  discourses  upon  the  words:  "For 
every  house  is  builded  by  some  man,  but  he  that  built  all  things  is  God," 
and  brought  out,  among  others,  the  beautifully  illustrative  idea,  that  the 
lowest  and  hidden  stones  are  those  of  the  foundation,  and  therefore  near 
est  "  The  Chief  Corner  Stone." 

Quite  a  church  of  humble  and  devoted  worshipers  in  the  Christian 
faith  was  organized  from  the  Twelfth  and  the  other  two  regiments,  which, 
without  schism  or  discussion,  excepting  upon  one  question,  grew  up  and 
flourished. 

The  question  alluded  to  was  upon  the  propriety  of  excommunicating 
the  venerable  Sergeant  Osgood,  of  Company  C,  who,  it  was  discovered, 
was  a  believer  in  universal  salvation. 

This  was  deemed  to  be  too  dangerous  a  doctrine  to  be  tolerated,  much 
less  to  be  openly  communed  with,  and  so  without  any  other  charge 
against  him  he  was  voted  out. 

It  was  not  until  the  I3th  of  November  that  the  Fifth  Regiment  arrived 
from  Concord,  N.  H.,  where,  as  already  noticed,  it  had  been  for  three 
months  on  recruiting  service.  It  had  partially  filled  up  its  own  ranks  out 
of  the  bounty-jumping  class  of  recruits,  and  brought  along  with  them 
nearly  three  hundred  more  of  the  same  kind  for  the  Second  and  Twelfth 
regiments. 

This  was  the  beginning  of  grief,  as  will  be  seen,  for  all  the  old  mem 
bers  of  the  brigade,  although  the  veterans  of  the  Fifth  had  learned 
enough  about  their  new  associates,  before  leaving  Concord,  to  quite 
correctly  estimate  their  value  as  soldiers. 

But  to  the  others  it  was  an  unexpected  opening  in  camp  of  the  fabled  jar 
of  Epimetheus,  from  which  came  nothing  good  but  hope,  and  the  hope,  as 
expressed  by  one,  was  that  these  new  recruits  might  all  desert  to  the 
enemy,  as  the  quickest  and  most  effectual  way  of  putting  down  the 
Rebellion. 

Most  of  these  recruits  were  called  "  subs."  This  nick-name  was  ap 
plied  to  that  class  of  the  genus  homo  known  on  the  army  enrollments, 
under  the  draft  act,  as  "substitutes";  and  considered,  either  as  a  con 
traction  of  that  word,  or  as  a  -prenomcn  in  the  original  language  from 
which  it  is  derived,  was  well  chosen  and  peculiarly  applicable. 

The  word  sub,  as  is  well  known,  is  a  Latin  preposition  and  means,  in  the 
English  language,  under  or  below  ;  but  how  far  in  that  direction  it  is  pos 
sible  for  the  human  race  to  go  on  this  mundane  sphere  before  the  final 
drop  into  the  fathomless  depths  of  perdition,  no  one  can  have  any  adequate 
conception  who  never  had  anything  to  do  with  those  strange  specimens  of 
abnormal  humanity  that  were  sent  out  in  the  fall  and  winter  of  1863-4  to 
fill  up  the  skeleton  ranks  of  the  old  regiments. 

Congress  had  made  a  law,  authorizing  a  draft  to  fill  up  the  quotas  of 
the  different  States,  by  virtue  of  which  every  man,  with  few  exceptions, 
whose  name  was  drawn,  and  was  physically  able,  had  to  "  play  or  pay," 


152  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

as  the  phrase  went, — go  to  the  front  and  play  ball  with  the  "Johnnies," 
or  pay  the  sum  of  three  hundred  dollars,  and  stay  at  home  with  his  neigh 
bors. 

This  law,  however  necessary  a  draft  of  some  kind,  was  both  unwise  and 
unjust.  It  was  unwise,  because  the  Government  wanted  men  more  than 
money,  but  got,  of  course,  just  the  reverse  ;  and  it  was  unjust,  because  it 
wrongfully  discriminated  in  favor  of  the  rich  as  against  the  poor,  allowing 
him,  who  could  best  go,  to  stay,  and  obliging  him,  who  had  most  need  to 
stay  and  provide  for  his  family,  to  go.  Failing  to  get  the  men,  the  law 
was  amended  by  striking  out  the  commutation  clause,  and  requiring  men 
instead  of  money  ;  so  that  he,  who  should  be  drafted,  must  either  go  or 
send  —  stand  up  and  face  the  music  himself,  or  hire  someone  to  do  it  for 
him.  Hence  the  name  substitute  will  be  found  to  have  had  a  military  as 
well  as  a  literary  signification ;  for  although  the  man  of  money  had  to 
stand  the  draft,  it  was  his  poor  neighbor  who  had  to  "stand  the  racket." 

Although  the  draft  act,  as  amended,  had  the  effect  of  putting  more 
names  upon  the  muster-rolls  it  compelled  the  poor  man  to  do  the  fighting. 
And,  since  nothing  can  prove  practically  right  that  is  morally  wrong,  it 
will  soon  be  seen  that  the  last  law  was  quite  as  impolitic  as  the  first ;  and 
that  while  names  may  swell  the  list,  the  character  of  the  persons  to  whom 
they  apply  has  no  little  to  do  with  the  final  result. 

Almost  immediately  a  brisk  business  of  hunting  up  substitutes  was 
started,  the  demand,  at  first,  being  far  ahead  of  the  supply,  making  prices 
high ;  and  soon  there  were  found  in  every  city,  and  many  of  the  towns, 
one  or  more  of  those  self-styled  patriots  who  are  always  willing  to  serve 
their  country  when  there  is  more  money  than  danger  in  the  business,  and 
who  were  known  as  "  substitute  brokers."  This  business,  as  it  was  con 
ducted,  was  much  more  lucrative  than  honorable. 

It  started  even  before  the  draft  was  enforced  by  getting  men  to  enlist  in 
towns  that  had  voted  enormous  bounties  for  volunteers,  although  they 
might  have  never  heard  of  the  town  before,  the  broker  getting  his  subject 
for  two  or  three  hundred  dollars  —  sometimes  much  less  —  and  pocketing 
eight  or  ten  hundred  dollars  for  his  part  of  the  transaction. 

After  the  draft  act  they  became  more  expert  in  their  profession  than 
ever,  often  getting  from  three  to  five  hundred  dollars  in  exchange  for  the 
price  of  a  few  glasses  of  whiskey,  and  a  few  dollars  for  car  fare  and  safe 
custody  of  their  victim,  until  they  could  get  him  into  the  safe  keeping  of- 
the  recruiting-camp  guards. 

These  brokers  ransacked  the  dens  of  infamy  and  crime  in  the  larger 
cities  of  the  North  to  find  those,  no  matter  how  mean  or  degraded,  who 
could  be  induced  for  money  to  enlist  for  three  years,  or  during  the  time 
necessary  to  find  a  good  chance  to  desert. 

Many  were  procured  by  consent  of  state  authority,  the  convicted  crim 
inal  choosing  to  enlist  and  fight  awhile  for  the  nation  at  sixteen  dollars 
per  month,  rather  than  work  for  the  State  a  few  years  for  nothing. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers.  153 

When  the  latter  class  could  not  be  found,  and  the  former  were  too  high 
priced  to  leave  a  good  margin  on  the  profit  side  of  the  brokers'  ledgers, 
resort  was  had  to  getting  their  victims  drunk  or  drugging  them  ;  and  by 
these  means  thousands  were  forced  into  the  service.  Many  of  this  class 
were  sailors,  and  some  of  them,  aside  from  their  habit  of  too  often  "  doub 
ling  the  horn,"  being  neither  vile  nor  vicious  by  nature,  like  those  with 
whom  they  were  thus  unconsciously  united,  made  very  good  soldiers. 

But  taking  the  substitutes  together,  it  can  be  truthfully  said,  that  such 
another  depraved  vice-hardened  and  desperate  set  of  human  beings  never 
before  disgraced  an  army.  To  send  such  vile  rubbish  to  take  the  place 
of  the  fallen  brave,  and  fill  up  the  ranks  of  the  veteran  heroes  who  still 
remained,  was  an  insult  to  them,  and  a  desecration  to  the  memory  of  their 
late  comrades.  It  was  what  neither  the  cause  nor  the  occasion  either 
justified  or  demanded. 

They  represented  the  lowest  class  of  almost  every  nationality,  though 
some  of  the  worst  were  of  good  birth  and  education,  and,  lacking  neither 
courage  nor  wit,  were  naturally  the  instigators  and  leaders  of  every  scheme 
and  effort  to  evade  duty  or  desert  the  service.  Some  of  their  plans  to 
effect  the  latter  and  main  purpose,  to  grab  the  bounty  and  jump  the  serv 
ice —  as  many  had  repeatedly  done  before,  and  hence  called  "Bounty 
Jumpers"  —  in  shrewdness  of  conception  and  boldness  of  execution  were 
worthy  of  a  better  motive,  and  had  well  been  imitated,  on  a  larger  scale, 
in  the  strategy  and  tactics  of  more  than  one  of  our  commanding  generals. 

Two  or  three,  here  given  as  illustrations,  all  happened  in  one  car,  loaded 
with  "  subs,"  and  en  route  for  the  front,  in  charge  of  an  officer  who  had 
stationed  a  guard  at  either  door. 

Although  a  free  ride,  it  was  in  the  wrong  direction  to  be  enjoyable  ; 
and  some  had  taken  the  precaution  to  take  with  them  a  thinner  suit,  of  any 
color  but  blue,  to  put  on  whenever  the  climate  got  too  hot  for  them. 

One  of  these  fellows,  with  citizen's  pants  under  his  others,  improved 
the  first  chance  to  change  and  exchange  as  follows  :  Noticing  that  the 
officer  had  become  so  much  annoyed  by  persistent  efforts  of  the  news 
boys  to  get  into  the  car  at  a  certain  city  that  he  threatened  to  kick  from 
the  platforfn  the  next  one  that  came  on,  one  of  the  "  subs  "  saw  with  a 
quick  eye  of  perception  that  his  time  had  come.  Reaching  out  of  the 
window,  he  bought  the  whole  stock  in  trade  of  the  first  news-paper  boy 
that  came  along.  Then  quickly  pulling  oft'  his  outside  pants  and  turning 
his  coat  and  cap  inside  out,  with  a  bundle  of  papers  under  his  arm  and  one 
half  spread  out  in  his  hand,  he  started  for  the  door  crying  out,  "Times, 
Herald,  Tribune"  and  running  purposely  against  the  officer  who,  thinking 
he  had  got  into  the  car  at  the  other  end,  and  being  thus  rudely  jostled, 
actually  grabbed  him  by  the  shoulders  and  with  a  shove  and  a  kick  gave 
Mr.  "  Sub"  a  very  acceptable  send  off",  while  a  roar  of  laughter  arose 
from  his  comrades  inside  which  the  officer  did  not  just  then  fully  appre 
ciate. 


1 54  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Another  took  off  his  coat  and  hat,  rolled  up  his  sleeves,  and  stepping 
into  the  middle  of  the  car,  while  the  guard  was  not  looking,  and  when  it 
was  getting  about  dark  enough  to  light  up,  he  climbed  upon  the  seats 
and,  taking  a  lamp  in  each  hand,  walked  boldly  out  past  the  guard  into 
the  streets  of  the  city. 

A  third  one  went  up  to  the  guard  at  the  door,  and  said  he  wanted  to 
see  the  lieutenant ;  and  while  the  officer  comes  in  on  one  side,  he,  with  a 
quick  push  and  a  spring,  goes  out  on  the  other  into  the  darkness  of 
night,  while  the  sword  and  the  gun,  thus  so  quickly  discomfited,  were 
left  to  discuss  their  individual  stupidity  and  relative  responsibility. 
Again,  as  the  cars  were  starting,  a  "sub"  entered  the  saloon  at  the 
end  of  the  car  where  immediately  a  window  was  heard  to  crash,  and 
while  the  guard  jumped  for  the  coat  tail  going  out  of  the  window, 
two  or  three  more  coat  tails  went  out  of  the  door.  And  thus  from  one 
closely-guarded  car,  half  a  dozen  or  more  of  these  recruits  escaped  on 
their  way  to  the  front.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  of  this  class  of  recruits  as 
signed  to  New  Hampshire  regiments,  not  less  than  thirty  per  cent  deserted 
before  joining  their  respective  commands,  and  one  half  as  many  more 
before  the  close  of  the  war. 

According  to  the  Adjutant-General's  reports  over  thirty  per  cent  of  all 
the  recruits,  including  volunteers  and  drafted  men,  were  deserters,  most 
of  whom  were  substitutes,  who  did  not  constitute  much  more  than  one 
half  of  the  whole  number  of  recruits.  From  this  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
above  estimate  of  forty-five  per  cent  of  this  class  being  deserters,  is  prob 
ably  much  below  the  correct  figures.  Fortunately,  or  rather  unfortu 
nately —  for  they  were  not  worth  the  trouble  of  keeping  —  Point  Lookout, 
with  the  narrow  neck  of  land,  double  guarded,  was  not  a  good  location 
for  bounty-jumping.  Yet  quite  a  number  tried  it,  and  while  some  cleared 
the  line,  others,  not  so  smart,  fell  short. 

One  day  a  coffin  was  made  by  one  of  the  carpenters  in  which  to  bury, 
as  he  supposed,  a  comrade  who  had  just  died  in  the  hospital.  At  the 
next  morning's  roll-call  one  of  the  new  recruits  was  not  present,  nor  could 
he  be  accounted  for,  until  it  was  discovered  that  the  coffin,  which  had 
been  left  outside  over  night,  had  also  disappeared.  To  use  a  coffin  as  a 
boat  was  a  novel  idea,  and  although  not  exactly  according  to  the  original 
design,  answerd  the  new  purpose  well  enough  to  flank  the  guard  and 
land  its  living  occupant  safely  across  the  inlet  that  helped  hem  him  in. 

At  another  time  three  from  the  Twelfth  had  by  some  means  evaded  the 
guard,  got  up  into  Maryland,  and  well  started,  as  they  thought,  for  the 
North  ;  but  they  were  apprehended  by  the  mounted  patrol,  and  started 
on  the  back  track.  One  of  them,  not  relishing  so  sudden  and  unexpected 
a  "right  about  face,"  took  vengeance  on  his  captors  with  his  tongue, 
using  the  most  insulting  and  abusive  language.  Being  repeatedly  warned, 
without  effect,  he  was  brought  back  to  camp  very  silent  and  submissive, 
and  buried  the  next  day.  His  name  was  John  Lee,  and  he  was  shot  by 
Peter  Gravlin  of  the  Second  Regiment. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  155 

The  old  soldiers  of  the  brigade  were  not,  at  this  time,  in  a  very  good- 
natured  mood  toward  their  semi-barbarous  allies  ;  nor  was  there  any  rea 
son  why  they  should  have  been.  Before  their  advent,  common  toil, 
hardship,  and  danger,  for  months  and  years,  had  made  them  a  band  of 
brothers.  Between  the  officers  and  men  there  existed  the  most  perfect 
confidence  and  friendship.  Punishment  was  uncalled  for,  as  disobedi 
ence,  demanding  it,  was  unknown ;  and  camp  guard  had  long  been  a 
thing  of  the  past.  The  men  went  and  came  almost  at  their  pleasure, 
subject  of  course  to  such  restrictions  of  time  and  place  as  their  duty  re 
quired  ;  and  the  roll-call  was  more  a  matter  of  form  than  necessity,  for  if 
one  was  absent  it  was  understood  that  he  would  be  on  hand  when  needed. 

The  all-perverting  "sub"  came  and  everything  was  changed.  No 
pleasure  or  privilege  for  the  boys  in  camp  any  more,  for  the  hard  lines 
and  severe  discipline  of  military  necessity  apply  with  a  rigidness  never 
before  required. 

The  little  boats  —  mostly  "  dug-outs"  -that  had  lined  the  shores,  and 
in  which  they  used  to  row,  sail,  fish,  and  gather  oysters  at  their  leisure 
are  all  "contraband"  now.  And  the  short  pleasure  trips  up  into  the 
country,  even  to  the  little  villages  of  St.  Mary's  and  "The  Pines"  to 
have  a  home-reminding  chat  with  the  girls,  and  get  a  wee  sip  of  "  apple 
jack"  as  an  appetizer,  are  no  longer  had,  except  at  long  intervals,  for 
they  now  have  the  double  duty  to  perform,  of  guarding  the  "  subs"  as 
well  as  the  "  rebs."  But  to  keep  them  from  running  away  was  by  no 
means  the  worst  part  of  the  job  that  these  new  comers  furnished.  To 
make  them  obey  orders  and  perform  duty,  neither  the  patience  of  Job 
nor  the  wisdom  of  Solomon  could  avail  without  severe  discipline,  and 
even  then  some  of  the  obdurate  and  case-hardened  proved  more  than  a 
match  for  their  company  commanders.  Punishment,  however  severe, 
was  utterly  futile,  either  to  reform  the  offender  or  as  an  example  to  his 
comrades. 

The  writer  remembers  one  fellow  that  stood  on  tip-toe,  tied  up  by  his 
thumbs,  until  so  near  death  as  to  be  past  all  suffering,  rather  than  consent 
to  return  a  watch  that  he  had  stolen,  or  even  tell  what  he  had  done  with 
it;  and  although  suffering  the  most  excruciating  pain  of  reaction,  after 
being  cut  down,  he  was  ready  to  repeat  it  and  die  rather  than  give  or 
own  up  by  a  single  act  or  word. 

Though  these  attempts  to  compel  obedience  by  punitive  measures  were 
generally  as  useless  as  they  were  common  —  the  recipients  taking  them 
like  their  rations,  as  part  of  the  regular  bill  of  fare  —  yet  it  was  deemed 
necessary,  in  order  to  keep  up  a  show  of  discipline  ;  and  the  ingenuity  of 
the  officers  was  heavily  taxed  to  find  ways  and  means  of  punishment 
commensurate  with  the  multifold  and  daily  increasing  offenses. 

Some  days  one  might  see  two  or  three  of  them  sitting  astride  the  ridge 
pole  of  an  officer's  quarters  with  a  weight  attached  to  each  foot,  so  they 
could  keep  their  balance  and  not  be  blown  off,  while  they  were  permitted 
to  enjoy,  to  their  heart's  content,  a  cool,  refreshing  breeze  from  the  bay. 


156  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

At  the  same  time,  perhaps,  could  be  seen  as  many  more  marching  up 
and  down  the  company  street  or  regimental  parade  ground,  in  heavy 
marching  order  —  their  knapsacks  filled  up  with  rocks. 

Now  and  then  there  would  be  a  squad  drill  of  the  offenders  in  slow 
time  ;  so  slow  in  fact  that  there  would  be  but  one  beat  to  the  measure,  and 
that  a  "  dead  beat,"  and  the  measure  being  a  barrel  with  both  of  its 
heads  knocked  out,  and  a  "  dead-head"  put  in,  and  having  written  upon 
it  the  crime  or  offense  that  its  hooped-up  incumbent  had  committed. 

These  were  but  a  few  of  the  many  ways  devised  to  punish  for  minor 
offenses  ;  but  the  "buck  and  gag,"  tying  up  by  the  thumbs,  and  standing, 
heavy  weighted,  on  the  chimes  of  a  barrel,  were  among  the  more  severe 
methods  of  compelling  obedience.  Sometimes  the  nature  of  the  offense 
would  suggest  its  own  correction  ;  as  when  one  day  Captain  Bedee  dis 
covered  that  some  of  the  "subs"  of  Company  G  had  turned  boat-makers, 
two  boats  already  completed  being  found  in  their  tents  and  used  as  bunks 
to  secrete  them  until  a  favorable  opportunity  to  test  their  capacity  by  a 
trial  trip  across  the  Potomac.  Determined,  after  so  much  patient  care 
and  toil,  that  they  should  not  miss  their  ride,  as  they  had  their  calcula 
tions,  he  compelled  four  to  carry  a  boat,  two  at  each  end,  while  two  more 
rode  in  it,  dextrously  plying  the  oars  as  if  pulling  for  their  lives  on  the 
water,  as  they  probably  would  have  done  a  few  nights  later.  Then  he 
would  reverse  the  order,  letting  two  of  the  carriers  ride  and  row  awhile, 
and  the  riders  take  their  places,  thus  making  them  lug  or  tug,  until,  like 
the  frogs  in  the  fable,  what  was  fun  for  the  boys  was  death  to  them. 

But  however  much  they  were  found  wanting  in  almost  every  element 
of  honor  or  manliness,  with  one  thing  they  were  well  supplied,  and  that 
was  "greenbacks." 

With  no  relatives  that  they  cared  for,  and  no  friends  they  dared  trust, 
they  took  their  bounty  money  along  with  them,  and,  judging  others  by 
themselves,  dared  not  carry  it  in  their  pockets,  but  concealed  it  about 
their  persons  in  every  way  conceivable.  Some  kept  it  in  their  stockings, 
others  in  the  lining  of  their  boot-legs,  and  a  few  sewed  it  up  in  their  neck 
ties  ;  but  the  most  of  them  carried  the  larger  part  of  their  greenbacks  in 
a  waist  belt  that  they  wore  next  to  their  bodies.  Despite  all  these  pre 
cautions  many  had  their  money,  as  well  as  their  watches,  stolen  by  their 
brother  comrades.  But  while  stealing  from  each  other  was  common, 
gambling  was  their  pastime.  A  single  instance  will  illustrate  both. 

A  poor  simple-minded  German,  who  had  been  drugged  or  lied  into  the 
service,  had  three  hundred  dollars  stolen  from  him  one  night,  and  sus 
picion  rested  upon  a  "  sub"  in  the  same  company  by  the  name  of  Curley 
who  was  one  of  the  meanest  and  toughest  specimens  of  his  class.  He 
was  arrested  and  a  drumhead  court  martial  instituted  by  the  company 
commander  to  try  him.  In  the  course  of  the  investigation,  although  no 
adequate  proof  of  his  stealing  the  money  was  educed,  it  was  ascertained 
that  he  had  gambled  his  comrades  out  of  several  thousand  dollars  that  he 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  15? 

had  sent  in  separate  packages  to  different  banks  in  the  North,  not  daring 
to  keep  it  with  him. 

From  what  has  already  been  written  it  will  be  easy  for  the  reader  to 
believe  that  there  were  many  desperate  and  dangerous  criminals  among 
them  who  would  not  hesitate  to  commit  any  crime  that  passion,  avarice, 
or  revenge  might  incite  them  to. 

The  same  Curley,  just  mentioned,  made  a  cowardly  attack  upon  Cap 
tain  Barker  on  the  night  of  the  landing  of  Butler's  troops  at  City  Point, 
and  might  have  seriously  injured  or  killed  him,  but  for  the  quick  interfer 
ence  of  one  of  the  lieutenants  who  discovered  his  purpose  before  he  could 
effect  it. 

Another  one  stabbed  Lieutenant.  Gale  of  Company  B,  the  arm  that 
received  the  knife  thrust,  saving  the  body  that  was  aimed  at  from  a  dan 
gerous  wound.  The  next  moment  the  assaulting  "sub"  was  subverted 
and  subdued  by  a  stunning  blow  from  the  fist  of  the  great  and  strong 
Sergeant  Piper  of  the  same  company.  Several  felonious  assaults  were 
also  made  upon  members  of  the  Second  and  Fifth  regiments. 

November  22d  a  detachment  of  two  officers  and  forty  men  from  the 
Twelfth,  accompanied  by  a  gunboat  went  up  the  Potomac  to  St.  George's 
Island  to  capture  some  Confederates  said  to  be  encamped  there,  and 
returned  the  next  day  with  about  thirty  rebel  deserters  and  blockade  run 
ners.  The  day  following  the  return  of  this  party,  there  were  several 
colored  refugees  and  escaped  Federal  prisoners  arrived  in  camp  from 
Richmond.  The  refugees  and  prisoners  had  helped  each  other  in  their 
flight;  but  the  latter  were  under  the  greater  obligation,  as  they  would 
never  have  gotten  away  but  for  the  assistance  of  the  former. 

One  day  more,  the  26th,  and  the  three  regiments  were  all  enjoying  a 
good  Thanksgiving  dinner;  for  parents,  wives,  and  children  in  New 
Hampshire  had  not  forgotten  those  of  their  own  blood  and  kin  in  the 
army  who  could  now  be  quickly  reached  by  express  transportation. 

As  they  partook  of  the  stuffed  chickens  and  other  good  things  from 
home,  they  could  not  help  thinking  of  the  many  thousands  in  the  army 
less  privileged  than  themselves  ;  and  memory  helped  draw  the  contrast 
between  this  and  their  last  Thanksgiving  at  Falmouth. 

Every  few  days  a  fresh  supply  of  "  subs"  or  "  rebs  "  would  arrive  in 
camp,  but  the  latter  were  by  far  the  more  welcome. 

December  23d,  as  a  climax  of  several  preceding  days  of  severely  cold 
weather,  came  the  first  snow  for  the  season,  followed  that  night  by  Gen 
eral  Butler  and  staff',  who,  after  inspecting  the  encampments,  departed 
with  the  snow  the  next  day,  taking  with  him  six  hundred  rebel  prisoners 
for  exchange. 

On  Christmas  day  there  was  much  sport  among  the  boys  of  the  regi 
ments,  a  regular  programme  of  amusements  being  very  pleasantly  carried 
out  at  the  encampments  of  the  Second  and  Fifth,  in  which  the  Twelfth 
participated.  Among  other  things  to  make  sport,  were  the  greased  pig 


158  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

and  pole,  wheelbarrow  and  sack  races,  and  wrestling  ;  Walter  Libbey 
of  the  Twelfth  winning  the  belt  as  champion  wrestler. 

On  the  1 2th  day  of  January,  1864,  a  force  of  about  three  hundred 
infantry,  half  as  many  cavalry,  and  a  section  of  a  Rhode  Island  battery 
left  the  Point  at  5.30  A.  M.,  under  convoy  of  two  gunboats,  for  a  raid 
into  Virginia.  This  force  was  made  up  from  the  three  regiments  ;  the 
detail  from  the  Twelfth  consisting  of  Captains  May  and  Bedee,  Lieuten 
ants  Smith  and  Sanborn,  six  sergeants,  eight  corporals,  and  one  hundred 
privates. 

The  object  of  this  expedition,  which  was  led  by  General  Marston  him 
self,  was  to  capture  a  small  force  of  rebels  that  were  stationed,  as  under 
stood,  near  the  Rappahannock  river,  and  to  do  such  other  damage  to  the 
material  supplies  of  the  enemy  as  might  be  found  practicable.  Although 
the  rebel  encampment  did  not  in  any  way  contribute  to  the  success  of  the 
Yankee  enterprise,  its  occupants  concluding  to  run  rather  than  fight,  yet 
the  raid  was  not  entirely  a  vain  effort,  saltworks  and  tanneries  being 
destroyed,  and  several  rebel  soldiers,  among  whom  were  a  major  and 
captain,  who  were  at  home  on  furloughs,  were  captured. 

Nor  was  this  all  that  was  captured,  for  when  the  command  returned  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  i5th,  the  quartermaster's  and  commissary's  stores  were 
increased  by  a  fresh  supply  of  horses,  mules,  and  cattle,  to  the  number  of 
fifty  or  more,  that  had  not  been  raised  on  the  Maryland  side  of  the  Potomac  ; 
while  the  company  cooks  were  amply  supplied  for  a  few  days  with  fresh 
meat  of  various  kinds,  besides  beef,  to  cook  for  a  rich  change  of  rations 
for  the  men.  In  fact,  the  whole  thing  proved  to  be  but  little  more  than 
an  organized  foraging  expedition,  which  the  officers  and  men  enjoyed  so 
much  that  they  all,  who  still  survive,  relish  the  memory  of  it  even  to  this 
day. 

Though  the  infantry  marched  thirty-five  or  forty  miles  from  the  river 
and  back  again  in  less  than  three  days  they  were  but  little  fatigued,  for 
every  man,  for  much  of  the  way,  was  mounted  —  some  on  horses,  some 
on  mules,  some  on  jacks  and  jennies,  and  some  on  the  seats  of  sundry 
kinds  of  two  and  four  wheeled  vehicles,  drawn  by  anything  of  loco 
motive  power,  no  matter  whether  it  was  a  brindle  steer  or  a  jackass. 

This  was  not  quite  General  Marston's  way  of  conducting  a  campaign  ; 
but  he,  as  presiding  officer,  had  but  little  power  to  shape  the  action  of  the 
committee  on  ways  and  means,  especially  when  that  committee  was  self- 
constituted,  and  comprised  his  whole  command. 

In  number  the  gain  and  loss  of  this  movement  was  about  the  same,  one 
man  being  accidently  killed,  and  ten  or  twelve  of  the  "substitutes"  de 
serting  ;  but  in  rank  and  worth  the  exchange  was  all,  excepting  the  man 
killed,  to  the  advantage  of  the  raiders ;  for  one  rebel  soldier  was  a  greater 
loss  to  his  army  than  a  dozen  deserting  recruits  was  to  ours,  to  say  noth 
ing  about  the  rebel  major  and  captain. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers.  159 

On  the  23d  of  February  the  Thirty-sixth  Regiment  of  United  States 
Colored  Troops  arrived  to  take  the  place  of  four  or  five  hundred  men  of 
the  brigade  who  were  furloughed  to  go  home  and  vote  at  the  state  elec 
tion  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  March. 

The  next  day  the  home-bound  veterans  left  the  Point  about  noon  on 
board  the  steamship  "  Admiral  Dupont,"  an  English  built  vessel,  intended 
and  used  —  until  captured  by  our  navy  —  for  a  blockade-runner,  and 
finally  lost  at  sea  in  the  summer  of  1865.  It  was  indeed  an  ill-fated 
steamer  from  its  launch  into  the  water  to  its  last  plunge  beneath  the 
waves. 

The  first  look  at  its  black  hull,  as  it  lay  off  the  Point  that  morning, 
was  enough  to  raise  apprehensions  of  danger  in  the  minds  of  some  who 
were  about  to  embark  upon  her  for  the  longest  sea  voyage  of  their  lives  ; 
and,  before  two  o'clock  at  night,  they  found  themselves  struggling  for 
life  in  the  dark,  cold  water  of  the  ocean. 

While  in  or  near  Hampton  Roads,  whither  it  proceeded  before  steering 
direct  for  Boston,  it  run  into  or  against  a  sailing  craft  of  some  kind,  the 
bowsprit  or  jib-boom  of  which  raked  its  hurricane  deck,  tore  off  one  of 
the  wheelhouses,  and  swept  several  of  its  boats,  in  which  a  number  of 
the  soldiers  were  lying,  into  the  water.  The  tearing,  crashing  noise 
heard  by  those  below,  who  had  just  sought  their  berths  for  a  night's  rest, 
was  startling  in  the  extreme,  and  caused  for  a  few  moments  quite  a  panic. 
It  seemed  to  them  as  if  the  great  steamer  was  being  crushed  and  shivered 
from  stem  to  stern. 

Some,  who  were  asleep  in  the  small  boats,  swinging  upon  the  davits, 
when  the  vessels  collided,  were  thrown  with  sudden  violence  into  the 
water  before  they  knew  where  they  were  or  what  had  happened.  By  the 
prompt  action  of  the  two  boat  crews  all  except  two  were  rescued  from  the 
imminent  peril  of  a  watery  grave.  That  more  of  the  many  on  top  of  the 
steamer  were  not  either  killed  or  drowned  was  certainly  not  less  strange 
than  fortunate. 

All  were  glad  when,  after  a  rough  and  sea-sick  voyage  up  the  coast 
and  around  Cape  Cod  —  with  one  night's  delay  at  Holmes's  Hole  on  ac 
count  of  the  weather  —  they  found  themselves  at  last  safely  anchored  in 
Boston  harbor.  Though  glad  indeed  to  escape  the  perils  of  the  sea,  and 
to  be  where  they  could  breathe  fresh  air  once  more,  they  were  still  more 
so  at  the  brightening  prospect  of  soon  being  in  the  arms  of  mothers,  sis 
ters,  and  other  loved  ones  who  impatiently  awaited  them  on  the  hills  of 
old  New  Hampshire. 

But  we  will  here  leave  the  lucky  soldier  boys  to  enjoy  their  few  days' 
furlough  amid  their  relatives  and  friends  at  home,  and  return  to  Point 
Lookout  to  find  many  of  their  comrades  in  quite  a  different  humor  for 
being  left  behind,  because,  as  they  claimed  —  not  perhaps  without  some 
foundation  —  they  were  suspected  of  not  being  of  the  same  political 
complexion  as  most  of  those  who  went.  But  New  Hampshire  then  was 


160  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

the  first  to  speak  in  the  Presidential  contest,  and  her  utterance  from  the 
ballot-box  was  taken  as  the  keynote  of  the  campaign. 

As  she  spoke  on  the  8th  of  March  that  year  the  loyal  States  responded, 
and  more  than  ever  before  or  since  in  the  history  of  our  country  the  voice 
of  the  people  was  the  voice  of  God. 

The  weather  was  very  mild  and  pleasant  most  of  the  time  during  the 
winter,  but  there  were  several  severe  storms,  some  of  which  swept  across 
the  Point  with  such  violence  as  to  blow  over  many  of  the  tents  of  officers 
as  well  as  men,  and  flood  them  all  that  were  located  on  lower  ground  near 
the  river,  as  were  many  of  those  of  the  Second  and  Twelfth  regiments. 

To  be  thus  suddenly  uncovered  to  a  deluge  of  rain  by  a  tent-snatching 
gust  of  a  hurricane  gale  in  the  middle  of  the  night,  and  before  one  could 
have  time  to  get  out  of  his  bed  and  into  his  clothes,  was  a  more  expeditious 
than  pleasing  way  of  using  hydropathic  means  to  arouse  the  soldier  from 
a  sound  sleep,  and  prepare  him  for  immediate  action.  It  was,  moreover, 
such  a  cold-water  douse  as  seemed  not  especially  conducive  to  either 
comfort  or  health,  and  one  not  likely  to  be  recommended  by  the  most 
pronounced  and  zealous  advocate  of  the  water-cure  system  who  had  once 
tried  it  himself.  But  after  all  it  was  but  one  of  the  many  unpleasant 
incidents  that  are  not  uncommon  to  every  soldier's  experience,  and 
created  more  amusement  than  sorrow.  But  such  were  terrible  nights  for 
the  storm-beat  sentinels  upon  their  elevated  walk  around  the  prison  camp, 
exposed  to  the  full  and  unobstructed  sweep  of  the  pitiless  blasts  of  the 
raging  tempest.  There  was  no  retreat  or  cover  for  them  from  the  furious 
elements,  for  greater  instead  of  less  vigilance  was  demanded  when  the 
storm  king  ruled  the  night. 

This  location  seemed  to  be  the  very  play-ground  of  the  winds,  chasing 
to  and  fro  between  the  river  and  the  bay ;  and  when  they  gathered  on  the 
broad  expanse  of  the  Chesapeake  for  a  grand  race  across  the  Point  and 
Potomac,  on  their  course  westward,  there  seemed  to  be  more  fury  than 
fun  in  the  contest.  Remindful  of  this  is  the  following  found  in  the 
author's  diary  under  date  of  December  i5th  : 

"  Very  windy ;  the  tents  shake  and  flutter  as  if  in  a  passion  of  mad 
ness." 

On  the  afternoon  and  night  of  the  22d  of  March  occurred  the  first  and 
last  snow  storm,  of  any  account,  for  the  whole  winter;  but  it  was  severe 
enough  to  make  up  for  the  past,  and  remind  the  men  of  some  of  the  vernal 
equinoxtials  in  New  England. 

The  wind,  as  usual,  was  present  for  duty  and  took  an  active  part  in  the 
work  of  distribution,  forcing  the  snow  into  the  tents,  and  piling  it  up 
against  them  on  the  outside. 

The  snow  remained  upon  the  ground  on  the  afternoon  of  the  24th  in 
sufficient  quantity  to  furnish  an  ample  supply  of  ammunition  for  the  great 
snow-ball  battle  between  the  Second  and  Twelfth  regiments. 

Of  this  famous  engagement  "Private"  Haynes  in  his  history  of  the 
Second  says  : 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  161 

"  The  battle  was  contested  upon  either  side  with  as  much  valor  and  stub 
bornness  as  was  ever  displayed  where  more  deadly  weapons  were  used, 
and  quite  a  respectable  list  of  wounded  was  rolled  up.  Black  eyes  were 
plenty  in  both  regiments  for  some  days,  and  the  surgeons  state  that  there 
was  also  an  unusual  demand  for  sticking  plaster." 

But  he  does  not  tell  upon  whose  standard  perched  the  victorious  eagle, 
nor  even  intimate  which  army  held  or  claimed  the  field. 

A  more  extended  and  complete  account  of  the  fight  will  be  given  in 
another  chapter. 

As  connected  with  and  explaining  the  visit  of  General  Butler,  pre 
viously  referred  to,  the  following  from  his  own  pen  *  will  be  found 
interesting  : 

In  December,  1863,  I  made  two  personal  inspections  at  Point  Lookout  ot  the 
condition  of  the  rebel  prisoners  of  war.  I  went  into  their  camp,  which  covered 
some  acres  and  was  well  laid  out.  There  were  tents  to  accommodate  all  of  them, 
placed  upon  a.  perfectly  proper  camping  ground  laid  out  in  streets.  At  the 
corners  many  of  the  prisoners  gathered  around  me,  and  I  asked  them  to  state  to 
me  any  complaints  they  had  to  make  as  to  their  clothing,  food,  or  anything 
else.  They  all  said  they  had  no  complaints  to  make,  except  that,  as  the  weather 
was  cold,  they  wanted  more  firewood  than  our  army  regulations  allowed. 

I  then  subjected  several  of  them  to  a  personal  inspection,  with  their  leave, 
examining  even  the  condition  of  their  gums;  because,  in  looking  over  their 
rations,  I  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that  it  was  possible  that  not  sufficient  fresh 
vegetables  had  been  given  them,  and  that  I  might  find,  as  I  did,  slight  indica 
tions  of  the  scurvy  by  the  conditions  of  their  gums,  their  complaint  of  the 
stiffness  of  their  joints,  and  from  the  fact  of  their  growing  too  fat  from  being 
without  exercise. 

I  said  to  them  :  "  Upon  your  pledge  that  you  will  take  no  improper  advantage 
of  the  concession,  I  will  permit  you  to  furnish  yourselves  with  as  much  firewood 
as  you  choose  to  burn,  the  fire  to  be  raked  out  after  taps.  I  will  direct  that  a 
number,  not  exceeding  one  hundred  of  you,  whom  vour  officers  will  detail  —  for 
I  suppose  you  have  some  organization  —  may  go  out  and  cut  from  a  neighboring 
forest,  which  belongs  to  a  secession  friend  of  yours,  as  much  wood  as  you  like ; 
and  four  mule  teams  with  a  wagon  to  haul  it  in  will  be  furnished.  And  this  may 
be  done  every  pleasant  day.  But  this  must  be  upon  a  solemn  pledge  that  none 
of  you  will  attempt  to  escape  when  allowed  bevond  the  camp  fence  for  this 
purpose.  If  any  man  forgets  this  pledge  it  will  result  unfavorably  to  you, 
because  I  shall  direct  that  no  more  shall  be  allowed  to  go  out,  and  you  will  be 
left  with  only  the  regulation  amount  of  wood  for  your  use.  " 

This  they  all  agreed  to  with  great  alacrity,  and  they  treated  me  with  the  utmost 
respect  and  grateful  kindness.  General  Marston  was  in  command  of  their 
camp ;  but  I  did  not  take  him  with  me,  because  I  wanted  them  to  feel  at  liberty 
to  make  any  complaints  without  his  knowing  who  it  was  that  complained. 

On  returning  to  the  office,  I  detailed  my  visit  to  General  Marston,  expressed  my 
thanks  to  him  for  the  fine  condition  of  his  command,  and  suggested  to  him  that 
I  thought  he  ought  to  make  fresh  vegetables  a  part  of  bis  rations,  that  it  did 

*  ''  Sutler's  Hook,"  pages  C12-f.1l. 


1 62  History  of  the  Twelfth   Regiment 

not  appear  that   any  increase    in  the  amount  of  food  was  necessary,  but  rather  a 
decrease. 

He  replied  that  he  had  no  authority  to  issue  such  rations.  I  answeied  that  he 
might  do  so,  and  I  would  see  that  the  proper  measures  were  taken  to  have  his 
account  allowed.  I  then  said  to  him:  "I  have  some  knowledge,  derived  from 
my  knowledge  concerning  sailors,  especially  whalemen,  of  the  necessity  for  some 
prevention  for  the  scurvy,  and  therefore  you  had  better  send  north  for  a  schooner 
load  of  onions  for  their  rations,  and  they  had  better  be  served  raw,  cider  vinegar 
to  be  served  with  them;  I  know  of  no  better  anti-scorbutic  than  these,  save,  per 
haps,  lemon  juice,  which  would  be  too  expensive.  I  also  informed  him  that  he 
might  draw  upon  my  provost  fund  for  the  expenses.  No  better  hearted  man 
lived  than  Marston,  and  he  joyfully  undertook  to  carry  out  the  orders. 

From  that  hour  I  never  had  a  complaint  of  the  treatment  of  prisoners  at  Point 
Lookout,  although  many  hundreds  passed  through  Fortress  Monroe  on  their  wax- 
to  be  exchanged,  and  I  sometimes  saw  them  on  the  flag  of  truce  boat. 

I  heard  of  but  two  disturbances  in  the  camp.  [He  did  not  hear  of  all  then.] 
One  was  when,  unfortunately,  one  man  did  not  return  with  the  chopping  party. 
There  was  great  excitement,  and  some  inspection  of  the  guards,  until  the  reason 
of  his  absence  was  ascertained.  The  poor  fellow  had  lost  his  way.  He  came 
into  camp  a  couple  of  hours  later,  and  was  joyfully  hailed  by  his  comrades. 
The  other  was  when  it  became  necessary  to  change  the  regiment  guarding  them 
for  one  of  colored  troops.  A  number  of  ill-advised  men  made  public  declara 
tions  that  they  would  not  be  guarded  by  negroes,  and  one  night,  when  they 
should  have  retired  at  taps,  a  noisy  demonstration  was  made.  That  was  offi 
cially  stopped  in  the  most  effective  manner. 

I  had  twenty-five  hundred  Confederate  officers,  more  or  less.  [One  half  less 
would  be  much  nearer  the  correct  number.]  They  occupied  the  buildings 
erected  for  hospitals,  as  we  had  very  few  sick  prisoners,  and  very  large  provis 
ions  had  been  made  for  hospital  purposes.  I  never  received  any  complaint  from 
them.  Many  of  them,  I  trust,  are  alive  and  well.  With  them  there  was  never 
any  disturbance  but  this  once. 

The  colored  sergeant  in  charge  directed  an  officer  to  retire  to  his  quarters  atter 
taps,  according  to  the  regulations,  and  that  respectful  order  was  greeted  with 

"Get  out,    you   d d  nigger,    why  do  you   speak  to  a   gentleman?"    and    the 

dlficer  jumped  upon  the  sergeant,  who  at  once  used  his  revolver  very  effectively. 
That  being  reported  to  me,  I  ordered  an  investigation  by  a  commission  com 
posed  of  five  officers,  two  of  them  were  prisoners;  and  upon  their  unanimous 
report  I  sustained  the  sergeant,  and  ordered  any  other  to  shoot  under  like  circum 
stances. 

The  parenthetical  phrases  in  the  above  quotation  are,  of  course,  the 
author's  ;  and  two  or  three  more  might  have  been  interpolated  to  give  the 
reader  a  still  more  correct  statement  of  the  condition  of  things  therein 
referred  to. 

Concerning,  however,  the  acts  and  feelings,  born  of  deep  and  bitter 
prejudice,  of  the  southern  soldier  or  citizen  against  the  negro's  occupying 
any  other  position  than  that  of  a  slave,  much  more  might  be  truthfully 
written.  The  bare  idea  of  having  them  made  their  equal,  in  any  part  or 


//amps/lire    Volunteer*.  163 

plan,  was  too  extremely  repugnant  for  a  moment's  toleration  ;  and  to  he 
obliged  to  acknowledge  them  their  masters,  even  as  a  military  guard, 
was  insufferably  humiliating.  But  on  the  other  side,  the  colored  soldier 
when  he  found  himself  recognized  as  a  man,  by  being  clothed  in  the 
white  man's  uniform,  armed  with  the  musket,  and  protected  by  the  stars 
and  stripes,  was  naturally  proud  and  elated  :  and  oftentimes,  doubtless, 
when  placed  in  command  over  the  Confederate  officials,  to  whom  he  was 
but  yesterday  a  cringing  vassal,  he  did  not  fail  to  show  his  importance  by 
a  most  willing  and  too  ready  exercise  of  his  authority. 

So  quick  a  change  from  the  bottom  to  the  top.  that  poor,  despised  race 
of  the  South  had  never  hoped  for  or  dreamed  of  :  and  when  it  came,  the 
next  greatest  wonder  to  the  change  itself,  is  that  they  manifested,  under 
the  new  order  of  things,  as  much  prudence,  moderation,  and  forbearance 
as  they  did.  Justice  on  the  page  of  history  has  never  yet  been  done  them. 
Another  mighty  revolution,  in  some  respects  far  greater  than  the  first 
(though  the  revolting  element  was  of  far  different  origin),  by  a  terrible 
earthquake  shock  of  war,  compared  with  which  the  former  was  almost  an 
imperceptible  tremble,  had  forced  the  ''bottom  rail  on  top."  And  who 
shall  dare  say  that  the  black  sycamore  of  the  swamps,  though  long  down 
trodden  in  the  mud,  when  hewn  clear  of  its  rotten  sap  by  the  strong  arm 
of  self-reliant  manhood,  dried  out  and  seasoned  by  the  sun  of  freedom, 
and  polished  by  the  brightening  processes  of  experience  and  education, 
will  not  prove  as  valuable  a  material  in  the  upbuilding  of  our  new  temple 
of  liberty,  as  the  white  oak  or  hickory  of  the  hills,  that  has  never  been 
stained  by  lying  on  the  ground.  Time  may,  indeed,  prove  the  latter  the 
less  enduring,  by  reason  of  a  drv  rot  at  the  heart,  not  now  so  easy  to  be 
discovered  :  for 

4t'Tis  in  the  heart  true  worth  exists, 
However  skins  may  differ." 

While  at  Point  Lookout  many  of  the  sick  and  wounded,  who  had  been 
absent  in  hospitals  or  on  furloughs,  returned  to  the  regiment,  glad  to  be 
with  their  old  comrades  once  more,  though  not  yet  sufficiently  recovered, 
some  of  them,  to  do  duty.  Among  the*  latter  were  Major  Savage  and 
Captain  Durgin  and  several  non-commissioned  men  and  privates.  By 
the  addition  of  these,  who  were  most  heartily  welcomed,  and  the  new 
recruits,  who  were  received  as  goats  among  sheep,  the  regiment  was 
increased  before  spring  to  the  minimum  number  requisite  to  a  full  com 
plement  of  field  and  line  officers.  There  was,  consequently,  a  large 
number  ol  commissions  signed  and  forwarded  by  Governor  Gilmore  for 
members  of  the  Twelfth,  some  of  whom  had  long  expected  them  ;  while 
others,  just  as  deserving,  were  greatly  disappointed,  as  doubtless  some 
had  reason  to  be,  because  there  were  none  for  them.  As  many  as  four 
teen  commissions  were  received  in  a  single  day.  But  all  could  not  be 
officers,  although  nearly  every  man  of  the  original  enlistment,  who  was 


164  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

then  present  for  duty,  was  both  competent  and  worthy  to  carry  the  sword 
instead  of  the  musket. 

During  the  fall  and  winter  there  were  many  visitors  from  the  North  to 
the  different  regiments  of  the  brigade,  the  Twelfth  having  its  full  share. 
Among  them  were  Governor  Gilmore,  Larkin  D.  Mason,  state  agent,  to 
look  after  the  sick  and  wounded,  who  is  still  living  in  Tamworth,  N.  H., 
and  Miss  Harriet  Dame,  whose  whole  time  was  given  to  the  care  and 
comfort  of  New  Hampshire  soldiers  in  the  field  as  well  as  in  camp  and 
hospital,  and  whose  noble  efforts  in  their  behalf  will  be  gratefully 
remembered  by  many  long  after  she  has  gone  to  her  reward. 

Of  the  Twelfth  visitors  there  were  many,  coming  from  different  parts  of 
the  State,  and  representing  almost  every  station  and  profession  of  life,  the 
clergy,  however,  predominating.  But  none  were  more  welcome  than  the 
ladies,  wives  of  the  officers,  who  not  only  came  but  stopped  a  while,  some 
of  them  remaining  all  winter.  The  first  to  come  were  Mrs.  Barker,  Mrs. 
Winch,  and  Mrs.  Sargent,  who  were  soon  followed  by  the  wives  of  Major 
Savage,  Doctors  Fowler  and  Sanborn,  Captains  Shackford,  Lang,  May, 
Fernal,  and  Huntoon,  Lieutenants  Dunn,  Milliken,  Sanborn,  Steward 
Hunt,  and  Woodbury  Sanborn. 

Their  presence  greatly  enhanced  the  social  enjoyments  of  the  camp, 
which,  by  their  enlivening  influence,  soon  resulted  in  numerous  levees 
and  dances  of  the  officers,  and  made  army  life  much  more  cheerful  and 
homelike  to  all;  for  a  "bevy  of  fair  women"  for  the  boys  to  meet  and 
greet  with  a  smile  and  a  salute,  was  a  pleasing  episode  of  a  soldier's 
experience.  But  every  pleasure  has  its  pain  and  every  rose  its  thorn  ; 
and  when  spring  called  these  officers  again  to  the  field,  the  parting  was 
sadder,  to  some,  than  when  they  left  their  wives  at  home  and  started  for 
the  scenes  of  war,  for  they  felt,  as  it  proved,  that  they  would  never  meet 
again, — 

"Unless  it  should  be,  where  the  spirit  free, 
Would  know  and  claim  its  own." 


CONTRABAND  CAMP. 

Soon  after  the  arrival  at  Point  Lookout  it  was  found  necessary  to  establish  a 
camp  lor  the  fast  accumulating  numbers  of  negroes  that  came  into  our  lines,  and, 
adopting  the  name  given  by  General  Butler  at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  it  was 
called  "Camp  Contraband."  There  was  a  constant  effort  of  the  slaves  to  get 
into  the  Yankee  lines  at  every  opportunity  from  the  first  march  of  the  army 
southward,  which,  had  it  not  been  discouraged  by  the  very  unwise  practice  of 
sending  them  back  to  their  masters  as  fast  as  they  came  in,  would  soon  have  re 
sulted  in  a  great  advantage  to  the  Government.  But  it  took  the  loyal  North 
about  two  years  to  see  the  folly  of  fighting  the  rebels  with  one  hand  while  feed 
ing  them  with  the  other,  so  sensitive  was  the  public  mind  upon  the  subject  of 
human  slavery. 

While  it  had   polluted  the   South,  it  had,  to  a  dangerous  extent,  contaminated 


AVw  Hampshire   Volunteers.  165 

the  moral  sentiment  of  the  North.  A  hundred  years  hence,  the  student  of  history 
will  read  with  astonishment  the  record  of  the  slave  power  in  this  country.  The 
poisonous  viper  —  first  loathed,  then  tolerated,  and  at  last  nurtured,  and  even 
worshiped  —  had  been  suffered  to  drag  its  slimy  length  along,  until  it  had  wound 
its  deadly  coils  around  both  state  and  church.  And  at  last,  when  irritated  by  Jin 
opposition  that  threatened  to  arrest  its  attempt  to  reach  over  and  around  the 
yet  free  soil  of  the  common  domain,  it  madly  struck  its  deadly  fangs  into  the 
very  vitals  of  the  Commonwealth.  And  then  the  Government,  as  if  to  oppose 
the  effect  would  remove  the  cause,  tried  to  cauterize  the  wounds  with  the  fire  of 
war,  while  the  viper  was  not  only  allowed  to  live,  but  actually  assisted  to  strike  ! 

But  two  years  and  a  half,  in  the  dear  school  of  experience,  had  taught  the 
Nation  a  lesson  from  which  it  was  now  beginning  to  profit.  Beyond  the  rebel 
picket  line  the  colored  man  felt  himself  no  longer  a  slave,  and  when  under  the 
protection  of  the  stars  and  stripes  he  became  at  once  the  Nation's  ward  —  his 
ultimate  status  to  be  determined  by  the  result  of  the  war. 

The  able-bodied  among  them  were  rapidly  and  gladly  exchanging  the  Con 
federate  hoe  for  the  Federal  gun  ;  while  others,  of  both  sexes,  were  made  useful 
and  self-sustaining  in  many  ways  and  places.  And,  under  the  wise  supervision 
of  some  of  our  department  commanders  in  the  Southwest,  their  labor,  in  rais 
ing  and  saving  the  cotton,  tobacco,  corn,  and  cotton  crops  upon  the  deserted 
plantations,  was  of  great  value  to  the  Government. 

The  arming  of  these  men  to  help  fight  the  battles  of  the  Union,  without  the 
existence  of  which  the  liberty  they  sought  would  have  been  but  a  wicked  mock 
ery,  was  the  signal  for  the  most  violent  abuse  and  bitter  denunciations  of  Presi 
dent  Lincoln's  administration  from  Jeff.  Davis  &  Co.,  and  their  sympathizers 
in  the  North.  They  said  it  was  instituting  savage  butchery  in  place  of  civilized 
warfare,  and  was  an  insult  to  the  bravery  and  intelligence  of  the  Union  soldiers, 
for  which,  all  at  once,  they  seemed  to  have  great  love  and  respect.  And  some 
few  there  were,  even  in  the  ranks  of  blue,  who  though  loudly  declaiming,  at  first, 
that  they  would  "•  never  fight  by  the  side  of  a  nigger,"  were  glad,  before  the  war 
was  over,  to  screen  themselves  behind  his  back.  But  the  mad  howl  that  came  up 
from  the  Confederate  States  was  music  to  the  ear  of  the  reflective  patriot,  for  he 
knew  it  was  but  a  prelude  to  the  long  sad  wail  of  despair  that  must  soon  follow. 

The  slave-owners,  and  those  having  the  care  of  the  plantations  during  the  war, 
used  everv  means  to  keep  the  slaves  from  running  away  into  the  Union  lines; 
but  their  promises  and  threats,  as  well  as  their  oft  repeated  stories  of  the  terrible 
treatment  they  were  sure  to  receive  at  the  hands  of  the  inhuman  Yankee, 
were  all  in  vain.  One  of  these  slaves,  who,  by  his  intelligence,  had  become  the 
toto  factum  of  one  of  the  large  plantations  of  Eastern  Virginia  had,  with  great 
caution  and  shrewdness,  planned  and  made  all  necessary  arrangements  for  the 
escape  of  some  thirty  or  forty  men,  women,  and  children  ;  and  so  cleverly  had 
the  whole  matter  been  managed,  that  but  a  few  hours  before  the  darkness  of  the 
night  that  was  to  cover  their  flight,  his  master  had  manifested  especial  confidence 
in  him,  not  doubting  but  the  false  promises  and  representations,  so  frequently 
made  to  him,  were  implicitly  believed  and  relied  upon.  But  the  next  morning 
he  awoke  to  a  realizing  sense  of  the  fact,  that  the  deceiver  himself  is  sometimes 
deceived.  The  name  of  this  slave  was  George  Gaskin.  An  affecting  incident 
of  the  landing  and  death  of  his  aged  grandmother — supposed  to  be  over  a 


1 66  History  of  the  Twelfth   Regiment 

hundred  years  old  —  at  the  camp  on  the  Maryland  side  of"  the  river,  is  related 
elsewhere  in  this  history. 

These  refugees  continued  to  come  in  until  at  times  there  were  not  less  than  two 
thousand  of  them  in  camp,  although  they  were  constantly  being  taken  out  as 
called  for  or  needed  in  other  places.  Some  were  sent  North  to  earn  a  living  as 
servants  and  laborers ;  some  at  once  found  places  as  cooks  and  waiters  for  the 
officers  in  the  army ;  while  a  large  number  were  constantly  employed  by  the 
Government  in  driving  teams,  loading  and  unloading  boats  and  cars,  chopping, 
shoveling,  etc. 

But  the  ablest  bodied  among  them,  of  the  right  age,  were  enlisted  into  the 
military  service,  and,  officered  by  men  taken  from  the  ranks  of  the  veteran  regi 
ments,  proved  themselves  worthy  of  the  freedom  they  were  willing  to  fight  for 
on  the  field  of  battle.  Two  full  regiments  were  enrolled  from  this  camp,  while 
the  brigade  remained  there;  and  it  is  not  known  how  many  enlisted  afterward 
before  the  close  of  the  war.  Some,  apparently  stout  and  sound,  were  found 
upon  examination,  to  use  the  words  of  one  who  saw,  "all  broken  to  pieces" 
from  cruel  and  abusive  treatment  while  in  bondage.  But  most  of  them  bore  no 
such  marks  of  cruelty,  and  acknowledged  that  they  were  very  well  treated  and 
cared  for  by  their  masters;  and  when  asked  why  then  they  ran  away,  would 
respond  :  "  'Cause,  Marsa,  I  wants  to  be  free." 

A  visit  to  this  camp  was  much  pleasing,  more  instructive,  and  most  interest 
ing.  One  of  the  leading  manifestations  of  these  people  was  their  eagerness  to 
learn  to  read ;  and  the  rapid  progress  they  made  was  scarcely  less  surprising. 
The  old  would  vie  with  the  young  to  improve  this  first  privilege  of  their  lives  to 
acquire  the  rudiments  of  that  knowledge  which  they  seemed  to  feel  and  know 
had  given  the  whites  their  superiority  over  them,  and  a  want  of  which  was  the 
chief  cause  of  their  degraded  condition.  To  see  old  men  and  women  with  their 
heads  white  like  wool,  striving  hard  to  learn  the  letters  of  the  alphabet,  that 
they  might  set  an  example  to  the  younger,  and  perhaps  get  so  they  could  read  a 
little  in  the  Bible  themselves  before  they  died,  as  they  would  express  themselves, 
was  a  sight  that  could  not  fail  to  convince  the  observer  that  the  negro  was  quite 
as  late  a  descendent  of  the  ape  as  the  white  man. 

There,  among  the  rest,  was  old  "Father  VVilloughby,"  as  he  was  called,  a 
veritable  "Uncle  Tom"  in  Christian  goodness,  and  something  of  a  Socratic 
philosopher  in  his  way.  Of  his  intellectual  abilitv  it  is  sufficient  here  to  say, 
that  our  noble  chaplain,  Ambrose,  who  was  himself  a  logical  reasoner,  and 
spent  much  of  his  time  in  giving  mental  and  religious  instruction  to  these  people, 
said  that  never  did  he  feel  his  own  inferiority  more  than  when  talking  with  this 
untutored  slave  at  whose  feet  he  could  daily  sit  and  learn  wisdom.  Original 
ideas  would  drop  like  uncut  diamonds  from  his  lips,  needing  only  cutting  and 
setting  to  become  bright  jewels  of  thought. 

But  in  describing  the  colored  man  of  the  South,  as  seen  by  the  Union  soldier, 
we  need  hardly  refer  to  his  most  distinguishing  characteristic,  since  everybody 
who  has  ever  heard  or  read  of  him  knows  that  it  is  as  natural  for  a  negro  to 
love  fun  as  for  a  Jew  to  love  money.  And  the  plantation  "Sambo"  of  ante 
bellum  days,  despite  the  hard  lines  of  toil  and  suffering  that  environed  him. 
would  make  the  evenings  merry  with  frolicsome  sports  and  amusements. 

Closely  allied  with  this,  and  in  fact  an  inseparable  part  of  it,  was  their  love  ot 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  167 

music  and  song;  and  to  hear  some  of  their  melodies  sung  by  ten  or  a  dozen  of 
them,  with  banjo  or  tambourine  accompaniment,  is  a  treat  to  those  who  never 
before  came  nearer  to  anything  of  the  kind  than  a  minstrel  show.  If  the  reader 
could  take  a  night  trip  up  or  down  the  Ocklavvaha  river  and  listen  to  the  planta 
tion  songs  with  their  joyous  refrains,  sung  by  all  the  boat's  crew,  male  and 
female,  circled  around  a  blaze  of  pitch  pine  knots,  kept  burning  on  the  hurricane 
deck  to  light  up  the  dark  and  tortuous  course  of  the  steamer,  he  would  both  see 
and  hear  what  memory  would  never  fail  to  reproduce  so  long  as  he  should  live. 

It  was  this  innate  propensity  of  the  colored  race  to  be  always  found  on  the 
smiling  side  of  life  —  to  play  the  fiddle  or  the  banjo,  "  pat  the  juba,"  and  dance 
the  clog  —  that  led,  or  mis-led,  many  to  believe,  Uvliat  the  southern  planter 
claimed,  that  the  slave  was  altogether  happy  and  contented  in  his  condition  of 
servitude,  and  that  his  freedom  would  prove  to  him  and  his  owner  both  a  sorrow 
and  a  curse. 

More  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  has  passed  since  the  chains  of  their  thraldom 
were  snapped  asunder;  but,  so  far  from  the  prediction  being  verified,  there  is 
probablv  not  a  person,  white  or  black,  in  the  whole  South,  not  excepting  Jeffer 
son  Davis  himself,  who  is  not  glad  instead  of  sorry  that  the  "curse"  —not  of 
freedom,  but  of  human  slavery  —  is  forever  removed  from  our  fair,  prosperous, 
and  promising  domain.  But  this  sketch  of  the  "Contraband"  would  be  incom 
plete  without  a  few  words  about  his  religion,  or  rather  his  devotional  exercises; 
for  his  religious  belief  was  substantially  the  same  as  that  of  his  master  who 
generally  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  the  great  schism  in  which. 
on  the  question  of  slavery,  was  the  first  important  step  toward  the  still  greater 
political  rupture  between  the  North  and  the  South  that  soon  followed. 

Emotional  bv  nature  and  credulous  from  ignorance,  it  is  not  strange  that  their 
religious  ideas  were  considerably  mixed  up  with  superstition,  and  reached  much 
farther  into  the  mystic  regions  of  the  wonderful  and  miraculous  than  would  be 
thought  reasonably  necessary  and  proper  among  them  to-day. 

One  Sabbath  afternoon  Lieutenants  Prescott  and  Bartlett  attended  one  of  their 
meetings,  held  in  the  chapel-tent  of  their  encampment.  Some  fifty  or  more  of 
men,  women,  and  children  were  present,  and  all  except  the  visitors  took  an  act 
ive  part  in  the  exercises.  These  consisted  of  preaching  or  exhorting  (perhaps 
the  latter  is  the  more  appropriate  word),  praying,  singing,  shouting,  moaning, 
groaning,  and  weeping,  all  timed,  emphasized,  and  intensified  by  shaking  hands, 
stamping  the  feet,  nodding  the  head,  swinging  the  body,  and  other  strange  and 
erratic  motions  and  gesticulations,  repeated  over  and  over  until  they  would  work 
themselves  up  to  the  highest  pitch  of  frenzy.  Some  of  them  would  drop  uncon 
scious  upon  the  floor  as  if  dead,  while  others  would  go  into  hysterical  fits,  as  it 
appeared  to  their  Gentile  listeners,  and  then  it  would  be  lively  work  for  the  broth 
ers  and  sisters  to  manage  them.  It  was,  of  course,  a  strange  sight  for  the  officers, 
and  so  different  from  anything  of  the  kind  ever  seen  before  that  it  made  a  lasting 
impression  upon  their  minds. 

One  large,  fat  woman  who  was  "taken  wid  de  power,"  as  they  called  it,  was 
s<>  violently  demonstrative  in  the  corporeal  expression  of  her  spiritual  ecstasy 
that  it  took  three  or  four  strong  sisters  to  so  far  match  her  new-born  strength,  as 
to  keep  her  within  the  bounds  of  personal  safety,  to  say  nothing  about  church 
propriety.  While  intently  watching  the  operation  of  the  "  power"  upon  the 


1 68  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

woman,  a  tall  young  man,  standing  just  in  front  of  where  the  visitors  were  sitting, 
fell  back  prostrate  upon  the  benches  as  if  dead,  and  then  the  shout  went  up : 
"  Thank  de  Lord,  another  sinner  down  !  "  But  he  had  only  been  struck  by  the 
"power"  which  instead  of  producing  dc-ath  was  the  first  outward  sign,  as  they 
believed,  of  everlasting  life. 

Their  sacred  hymns,  like  their  plantation  songs,  were  nearly  all  chorus,  being 
little  more  than  the  repetition  of  one  or  two  lines  of  the  same  measure,  with  now 
and  then  the  variation  of  a  new  word  or  line.  One  of  these  as  sung  by  them  on 
this  occasion  was  worded  as  follows  : 

Come,  all  ye  folks,  come  along  wid  me. 
For  I's  goin'  to  jine  wid  dat  army : 
Coin1  to  jine  de  army  of  de  Lord, 
For  I's  goin'  to  jine  wid  dat  army. 

Come,  brother,  come,  come  along  wid  me. 
{Chorus.} 

Come,  sister,  come,  come  along  wid  me. 
(Chants.} 

Come,  sinner,  come,  come  along  wid  me, 
(Chorus. ) 

And  so  the  verses  would  be  continued  and  the  words  repeated  until  it  seemed  as 
if  there  was  to  be  no  end. 

In  singing  this  and  other  similar  songs,  as  many  as  could  (probably  all  had 
there  been  room)  would  form  in  a  ring,  join  hands,  and  keep  time  by  the  swing 
ing  of  their  arms  up  and  down  like  a  pump-handle  hand  shake,  and  giving  the 
downward  beat  vehemence  enough  to  swav  the  body  and  jerk  the  head  in  so  forci 
ble  and  vigorous  a  manner  that,  but  for  their  strange  and  amusing  appearance, 
would  have  been  almost  as  painfully  tiresome  to  observe  as  to  perform.  This 
they  would  prolong,  accompanied  by  the  stamping  of  feet,  at  every  swing  of  the 
arms  until  quite  exhausted.  Then  they  would  fall  upon  their  knees,  and,  as 
soon  as  sufficient  breath  was  recovered,  some  one  would  lead  in  prayer  to  be  fol 
lowed  by  others  too  full  of  the  spirit  to  withhold  until  the  first  one  had  got  through, 
and  then  came  a  test  trial  of  lung  power  in  praying,  as  there  had  already  been  in 
singing. 

And  yet,  with  all  here  written,  and  much  more  there  witnessed,  there  was  in 
every  word  and  act  such  a  serious  earnestness,  and  fervent  spirit  of  reverence 
and  devotion  that  what,  under  other  circumstances,  would  have  been  a  most 
amusing  free  exhibition  of  the  oddities  and  follies  of  an  ignorant  and  superstitious 
race,  was  at  this  time  and  place  too  seriously  impressive  to  admit  of  either  ridicule 
or  criticism. 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  effect  of  this  meeting  upon  those  who  partici 
pated  in  the  exercises,  one,  at  least,  of  those  who  only  saw  and  heard,  learned  a 
lesson  that  he  has  never  forgotten.  And  he  questions  not  that  many  aristocratic 
member's  of  our  rich  and  fashionable  churches  in  the  great  college-honored  cities 
of  the  North,  and  perhaps  some  of  the  ministers,  might  learn  a  lesson  of  Christian 
humility,  and  be  brought  to  a  keener  sense  of  their  own  moral  responsibility, 
could  they  attend  one  of  these  meetings,  and  listen  to  some  of  the  simple-worded, 
but  fervently  eloquent  and  soul-touching  prayers,  so  sincerely  and  earnestly 
offered  up  by  these  poor,  illiterate  worshippers. 


CHAPTER.     IX. 

FROM  POINT  LOOKOUT  TO  DRURY'S  BLUFF. 

At  noon  on  the  nth  of  April,  1864,  the  steamer  "Thomas  A.  Morgan,'' 
already  loaded  with  the  Twelfth,  leaves  her  moorings  at  Point  Lookout 
and  steams  down  the  Chesapeake  towards  Yorktown,  where  she  drops 
anchor  about  8  o'clock  in  the  evening.  Although  it  seemed  almost 
like  leaving  home,  after  eight  months  so  pleasantly  passed  in  contrast 
with  active  field  service,  yet,  to  the  new  members  at  least,  it  was  like  the 
son's  first  leaving  the  paternal  roof — sad  to  leave,  but  glad  to  be  away. 
In  the  hearts  of  many  of  the  recruits,  however,  there  was  no  feeling  of 
sadness,  for  they  now  saw  some  prospect  of  finding  what  they  had  so 
long  been  waiting  for  —  a  good  chance  to  desert — which  they  soon 
began  to  improve. 

During  the  afternoon  a  regiment  of  colored  troops  were  met,  on  their 
way  to  take  the  place  of  the  Fifth  Regiment,  then  under  marching  orders. 
The  Second  was  already  at  Yorktown,  having  left  the  Point  four  days 
before. 

As  soon  as  light  the  next  morning  the  regiment  disembarked  and  lay 
outside  of  the  old  fortifications  until  7  A.  M.,  when  it  marched  to  Williams- 
burg,  a  distance  of  twelve  miles,  and  stacked  arms  for  encampment 
near  the  old  battle  ground,  where,  nearly  a  year  before,  the  brave  fol 
lowers  of  Hooker  and  Kearney,  directed  by  General  Heintzleman,  so 
stubbornly  held  the  field  against  a  large  portion  of  the  rebel  army-  To 
the  old  members  of  the  Second  every  thing  was  familiar,  and  called  up 
afresh  the  sad  memory  of  many  a  brave  comrade  who  fell  on  that 
sanguinary  field. 

The  Second  and  Twelfth,  with  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth 
New  York  Volunteers,  were  united  at  Yorktown,  forming  with  the 
Eleventh  Connecticut,  that  soon  after  joined,  the  Second  Brigade  in  the 
Second  Division  of  the  Eighteenth  Army  Corps,  commanded  respectively 
by  Generals  Wistar,  Weitzel,  and  Smith.  At  Williamsburg  "A"  tents 
were  drawn,  and  from  the  care  and  pains  taken  in  laying  out  and  fixing 
up  the  encampment,  there  seemed  some  ground  for  believing  the  other 
wise  very  improbable  camp  story,  that  the  brigade  was  expected  to 
remain  here  for  several  months.  This  was  told,  of  course,  as  a  mere 
blind  to  the  rebel  citizen  spies,  who  were  ever  ready  to  watch  and  report 
to  their  generals  every  movement  of  our  troops. 


170  History  of  the    Twelfth    Regiment 

From  the  I2th  to  the  241!!  the  men  were  kept  busy  in  company,  bat 
talion,  and  skirmish  drills,  target  shooting,  and  picket  duty.  There 
were,  sometimes,  four  drills  a  day,  which  the  old  members  felt  as  another 
burden  brought  upon  them  by  the  new  recruits. 

On  the  24th  orders  came  to  send  all  surplus  baggage  to  Yorktown,  and 
exchange  "A"  tents  for  shelters.  This  had  a  business  look  to  it  that 
could  not  be  mistaken;  and  now  the  "subs,"  several  of  whom  had 
already  deserted  since  leaving  Point  Lookout,  began  to  sift  out  faster 
than  ever.  It  was  evident  that  something  must  be  done,  or  the  roll  of 
recruits  in  the  Twelfth  would  diminish  pro  rat  a  with  the  Second,  from 
which  over  a  hundred  had  deserted  in  three  days.  A  general  court 
martial  was  instituted  by  order  of  General  Wistar.  of  which  Lieutenant 
Bartlett  of  the  Twelfth  was  appointed  judge  advocate,  and  several  of  the 
apprehended  deserters  were  tried,  found  guilty,  and  sentenced  to  be  shot, 
subject  to  the  approval  of  the  President.  Two  had  already  been  shot  in  the 
Second,  and  two  more  apprehended  at  the  same  time  were  executed  on 
the  2pth  in  the  presence  of  the  brigade  at  Williamsburg.  This  was  the 
first  time  that  the  Twelfth  had  ever  witnessed  an  execution  of  the  extreme 
penalty  of  military  law,  and  the  scene  is  still  quite  vivid  in  the  minds  of 
some  who  saw  it. 

The  spot  having  been  selected  and  two  graves  dug,  the  regiments  of 
the  brigade  are  marched  out  at  the  hour  appointed  and  formed  into  three 
sides  of  a  hollow  square,  facing  inward,  with  the  newly-dug  graves  in 
the  middle  of  the  open  side.  Soon  the  "mark  time"  beat  of  the  muffled 
drum  is  h^ard,  and  the  condemned  men,  riding  on  their  rough-made 
coffins,  and  guarded  by  twelve  soldiers,  selected  from  the  Second  Regi 
ment,  as  executioners,  slowly  approach  the  square,  and  entering  at  one 
end  of  the  open  side,  are  driven  round  the  whole  distance  of  the  other  three 
sides,  close  in  front  of  the  lines.  As  they  pass  along,  their  countenances 
are  closely  scanned  by  every  soldier,  eager  to  read  therefrom  the 
emotions  of  the  soul  within.  One  of  them,  with  downcast,  sorrowful  gaze, 
looks  as  if  he  realizes  his  situation,  and  that  the  woeful  sorrow  for  the  past, 
that  has  brought  him  here,  is  nearly  equal  to  the  dread  of  the  terrible 
present  that  is  now  before  him.  The  other  acts  more  like  one  riding 
to  a  circus  than  his  own  grave.  A  brutish  grin  is  on  his  face,  accom 
panied  with  an  indifference  of  demeanor  that  seems  half  real  and  half 
affected.  The  teams  are  halted  in  front  of  the  graves,  beside  which  the 
coffins  are  placed,  and  the  victims,  dismounting  from  the  cart,  remain 
standing  while  the  provost  martial  reads  the  death  warrant  and  a  prayer 
is  made  by  the  chaplain.  Thev  are  next  seated  upon  their  coffins,  their 
caps  removed  (the  heedless  one,  bound  to  die  game,  taking  his  off  him 
self  and  throwing  it  for  some  distance),  their  eyes  bandaged  with  hand 
kerchiefs,  and  now  the  dreadful  moment  of  death-waiting  suspense  has 
arrived.  The  provost  steps  to  one  side  a  few  paces,  raises  his  hand,  and 
twelve  muskets  instantly  come  to  a  "ready";  a  little  higher  the  hand, 


Hampshire    Volunteers.  17 1 

and  the  muskets  are  aimed  and  waiting :  his  hand  drops,  and  Owen 
McDonald  and  James  Scott  fall  over  their  coffins  into  eternity. 

Some  days,  when  going  out  on  picket,  the  detail  passed  through  the 
city  of  Williamsburg.  This  is  one  of  the  oldest  places  in  the  country,  the 
seat  of  the  once  celebrated  William  and  Mary  College,  and  for  more 
than  three  quarters  of  a  century  the  capitol  of  the  Old  Dominion,  "the 
mother  of  presidents."  And  what  a  picture  lesson  for  the  intelligent 
New  England  soldier  to  study  !  The  college,  the  oldest  except  Harvard, 
and  once  the  richest  in  the  country,  had  long  existed  only  in  a  building 
and  a  name :  and  now,  with  only  a  part  still  standing  as  a  solemn 
mockery  of  its  former  greatness,  the  main  building  being  burned  the 
year  before,  with  dilapidation  painfully  visible  on  every  side  and  Ichabod 
written  too  plainly  over  all,  the  question  would  constantly  arise  in  the 
mind,  what  is  the  cause  of  this  great  change,  while  Cambridge,  Dart 
mouth,  and  Yale,  where  the  rich  slave  holders  had  for  years  sent  their 
sons  to  be  educated,  are  in  the  full  measure  of  their  usefulness  r  To  this 
inquirv  responsive  Reason  could  give  but  one  reply  :  It  was  the  blighting 
institution  of  human  slavery. 

On  the  morning  of  May  4,  orders  were  received  to  march  at  noon,  with 
four  days'  rations  :  and  while  camp-fires  blazed  high  with  every  combus 
tible  thing  left  in  camp,  the  regiment  right  faces  into  column  and  is  soon 
moving  past  Fort  Magruder  toward  Yorktown.  After  marching  about  two 
miles  to  the  Whittaker  House,  General  Wistar's  headquarters,  where  the 
rest  of  the  brigade,  now  including  the  Eleventh  Connecticut,  was  in  wait 
ing,  a  halt  was  ordered  :  and  no  further  move  was  made  until  dark.  The 
command  then  turned  to  the  right  into  the  woods,  and  marched  silently 
and  swiftly  to  Grove  Landing  on  the  James  river,  and  about  10  o'clock 
went  aboard  transports  and  lay  at  anchor  for  the  night.  After  leaving 
the  Whittaker  House  great  caution  was  required  to  make  no  noise,  and 
the  men  were  not  allowed  to  build  fire  enough  to  boil  their  usual  dipper 
of  coffee  before  embarking. 

This  movement  of  the  brigade  was  made  under  special  instructions 
from  General  Smith  to  General  Wistar,  dated  May  3,  as  follows  : 

"Your  command  will  march  so  as  to  arrive  at  Grove  Landing  when  it 
is  fairly  dark  to-morrow  evening,  at  which  time  you  will  commence  to 
embark.  You  will  make  your  men  comfortable.  Show  no  lights,  and 
permit  no  noise.  About  2.30  A.  M.  —  5th  instant — you  will  move  out 
into  the  stream  so  as  to  fall  in  rear  of  Heckman's  brigade  when  it  comes. 
Some  signal  will  be  designated  to  you  by  telegraph,  by  which  you  will 
know  his  rear  boat." 

It  will  he  seen  bv  this  order  in  connection  with  the  break-camp  bonfire, 
previously  alluded  to,  that  Butler  and  his  generals  had  much  less  fear 
that  the  enemy  should  know  that  some  of  their  troops  were  leaving,  than 
that  he  should  find  out  where  the  most  of  them  were  going.  But  how 
General  Smith  expected  his  brigade  commander  to  make  his  men  "com- 


i72  History  of  the  Twelfth   Regiment 

fortable,"  without  a  spark  of  fire  to  cook  or  warm  by,  is  not  quite  so  easy 
to  understand. 

The  next  morning  was  clear  and  pleasant,  and  as  soon  as  light,  boats 
of  all  kinds,  from  a  freight  barge  to  an  ironclad  ram  or  a  double-turreted 
monitor,  were  seen  coming  up  the  river,  increasing  with  the  hours,  until 
when  at  8  o'clock,  the  "Ocean  Wave,"  loaded  with  the  Twelfth,  swung 
into  line,  the  river  was  filled  with  the  fleet  of  General  Butler,  the  iron 
clads  and  other  war  vessels,  including  the  captured  rebel  ram  "At 
lanta,"  under  the  command  of  Admiral  Lee,  taking  the  lead.  In  the 
meantime  a  small  force  had  been  sent  by  transports  up  the  York  and 
Pamunkey  rivers  to  White  House  Landing  to  attract  the  attention  of  the 
enemy  in  that  direction,  while  two  flanking  forces  of  cavalry,  commanded 
by  Colonel  West  and  General  Kautz,  moved  out  from  Williamsburg  and 
Suffolk  and  advanced  up  the  north  and  south  sides  of  the  James.  The 
destination  and  purpose  of  Butler's  expedition,  to  march  quickly  into 
Richmond  by  the  back  door,  while  Lee  was  busy  keeping  Grant  out  of 
the  front  one,  was  now  apparent  to  his  followers,  who  hitherto  had  been 
as  much  in  the  dark  as  the  rebels.  The  plan,  suggested  by  General  But 
ler  and  approved  of  by  Grant,  was  a  good  one  ;  but  whether  to  succeed 
or  not  depended,  like  all  other  military  moves  of  the  kind,  almost  entirely 
upon  the  celerity  of  its  execution. 

The  fleet  came  to  anchor  about  9  o'clock  in  the  evening  at  Bermuda 
Hundred  and  City  Point,  near  the  confluence  of  the  Appomatox  river 
with  the  James ;  and  about  three  hours  later,  during  which  time  the 
pioneer  corps  were  busy  constructing  a  temporary  wharf,  the  "  Ocean 
Wave  "  moves  up  to  the  landing,  and  the  regiment  is  soon  again  upon 
terra  Jfrma,  where,  after  marching  about  a  mile,  the  men  were  glad  to 
find  a  chance  to  sleep.  But  their  rest  was  short  and  sweet,  for  at  half 
past  three  the  next  morning  they  were  aroused  from  their  slumbers,  and 
by  six  were  on  the  road  toward  Chester  Station  on  the  Petersburg  & 
Richmond  railroad.  After  marching  about  four  miles  Heckman's  brig 
ade,  in  the  advance,  forms  a  line  of  battle  in  the  woods  in  front,  and  soon 
the  familiar  sound  of  "popping  corn"  is  heard,  telling  that  his  skirmish 
line  has  found  the  enemy.  During  the  afternoon  a  part  of  the  Second 
Brigade  was  brought  up  in  line  of  battle  on  the  left  and  two  companies 
of  the  Twelfth  sent  out  as  skirmishers.  Toward  night  there  was  quite 
heavy  firing  on  the  advance  right,  and  the  remainder  of  Wistar's  brig 
ade,  including  the  Twelfth,  was  aligned  for  action,  and  held  in  reserve; 
but  the  enemy  fell  back  and  the  first  day  toward  Richmond  ended  with 
but  little  results.  That  jt  had  been  a  complete  surprise,  however,  to  the 
rebel  authorities  there  was  ample  evidence.  Houses  were  found  vacated, 
with  every  indication  of  having  just  been  left  by  their  occupants,  the 
dishes  and  victuals  on  the  table,  in  one  or  two  of  them,  showing  that  their 
breakfast  had  not  been  finished. 

A    large    mansion    pleasantly    situated    on    a    high    plateau    near    the 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  i?3 

Appomatox,  was  owned  and  occupied  by  a  rich  planter  by  the  name  of 
Cobb.  The  engineers,  having  fixed  upon  this  spot  as  the  best  place  for 
a  redoubt,  ordered  the  house  demolished,  which  was  done  mainly  by  a 
detail  from  the  Second  Regiment,  encamped  near  by,  and  the  well  filled 
up  with  bricks.  A  negro  hut  left  standing,  was  used,  for  a  while,  as  a 
signal  station,  messages  being  sent  and  received  from  a  small  plattorm 
built  across  the  ridge-pole.  Later,  a  small  fort  was  thrown  up  where  the 
house  had  stood,  and  close  by  a  signal  tower,  one  hundred  and  thirty 
feet  high,  was  erected,  from  the  top  of  which  Petersburg  was  in  plain 
view,  and  the  steeples  of  Richmond  could  be  distinctly  seen  in  a  clear 
day  without  the  aid  of  a  glass.  This  was  known  as  "Cobb  Hill  Station" 
or  "  Butler's  Tower,"  and  was  the  chief  point  of  attraction  to  all  visitors 
from  Washington  and  the  North  until  the  close  of  the  war.  It  was  used 
both  as  an  observing  and  transmitting  station,  and  was  for  some  time  in 
charge  of  a  signal  officer  detached  from  the  Twelfth,  and  especially 
instructed  for  that  service.* 

Some  of  the  negroes,  having  more  love  for  the  Yankees  than  their 
masters,  managed,  in  the  hurry  and  confusion  of  the  escape  of  the  whites, 
to  hide  away  or  linger  behind  until  they  were  out  of  sight,  and  then  come 
into  our  lines.  One  who  had  been  a  slave  on  the  Cobb  plantation,  was 
noticed  by  his  owner,  or  one  of  his  family,  just  as  they  were  leaving  the 
premises  to  the  fate  of  war,  quietly  sitting  down  beneath  a  tree,  and 
making  no  effort  to  get  away.  And  when  admonished  to  leave  at  once 
or  the  "Yanks"  would  have  him,  replied  :  "  No  use  to  run,  Marsa,  for 
'pears  ;o  they  're  goV  all  o'er  creation,  and  will  have  us  all,  soon  'r  later, 
anyhow."  There  was  both  wisdom  and  wit  in  this  rejoinder,  which 
showed,  moreover,  that  Tom  —  for  that  was  his  name  —  understood  the 
situation  full  as  well,  if  not  better  than  his  master.  He  afterward  acted 
as  cook  and  groom  for  the  signal  officer  above  mentioned,  and  proved 
himself  as  true  and  faithful  as  a  servant  as  he  had  doubtless  been  as  a 
slave.  But  when  his  master  ran  away  from  him,  instead  of  he  from  his 
master,  he  felt  himself  under  no  obligation  to  follow  after,  and  turn  his 
back  upon  the  long-wished-for  opportunity  for  gaining  his  freedom  that 
was  now  present  for  his  embrace. 

Another,  who  came  in  from  Petersburg  the  next  day,  reported  conster 
nation  there  among  the  inhabitants,  as  they  expected  an  immediate  attack 
by  our  forces,  while  the  city  was  in  an  almost  defenseless  condition,  there 
being  nothing  but  an  improvised  force  of  citizens  and  a  few  soldiers  to 
defend  it.  He  also  said  that  General  Beauregard  had  just  arrived  in  the 
city.f  Here  then  was  a  golden  opportunity  fast  slipping  away.  An 
hour's  delay,  now,  meant  a  year  more  of  agony  and  desolation  to  the 
Nation,  and  another  holocaust  of  death,  already  commenced  in  the  terrible 
struggle  of  the  Wilderness.  The  key  was  in  Butler's  hands,  and  had  he 

*  See  picture,  description,  incidents,  etc.,  under  the  head  of  "Signal  Service  in  the  Army." 
t  Beauregard  did  not  arrive  until  the  10th. 


T  74  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

quickly  turned  it  the  right  way  the  country  and  the  world  would  long 
ago  have  placed  his  name  with  Grant's,  Sherman's,  and  Sheridan's. 
That  night  a  portion  of  his  army  should,  as  it  doubtless  could,  have  slept 
inside  of  the  fortifications  of  Petersburg.  But  delays  are  dangerous,  and 
never  more  so  than  in  an  attempt  to  surprise  a  vigilant  and  powerful  foe 
acting  on  the  defensive  in  his  own  country. 

The  next  dav  occurred  the  skirmish  fight,  known   as  the  battle  of   Ber- 

c? 

muda  Hundred,  in  which  Brooks's  division  drove  back  the  thin  lines  oi 
the  enemy,  and  took  possession  and  tore  up  two  or  three  miles  of  the 
Richmond  &  Petersburg  railroad.  Although  the  Twelfth  was  in  line 
of  battle  to  support  the  attack,  if  needed,  it  was  not  engaged.  General 
Ransom,  in  command  of  the  rebels,  having  managed  to  get  two  or  three 
batteries  down  from  Richmond  the  night  before  to  use  until  an  infantry 
force  could  be  collected,  there  being  then  only  about  twelve  hundred  men 
to  confront  our  whole  army,  it  was  thought,  judging  by  the  artillery  fire, 
that  quite  a  heavy  force  was  ready  to  resist  our  advance  :  and  most  of  the  day 
was  spent  in  entrenching,  to  prevent  being  pushed  back  by  an  imaginary 
foe,  instead  of  pushing  forward  and  capturing  the  real  one.  Brigadiers 
and  their  staffs  were  riding  in  every  direction,  and  commands  of  infantry 
and  artillery  hurried  to  the  front,  as  if  on  the  eve  of  a  great  and  decisive 
battle.  The  next  day  was  Sunday,  but  how  different  from  that  peaceful, 
quiet  day  at  home  !  About  half  of  the  regiment  were  sent  out  on  picket, 
and  the  rest  were  employed  in  assisting  the  pioneers  and  on  fatigue  duty. 
There  was  a  vigorous  attack  now  made  upon  the  woods,  and  the  sound 
of  axes  and  falling  trees,  heard  on  even'  side,  reminded  one  of  the  mus 
ketry  and  artillery  of  battle.  The  wounded  of  the  day  before  were 
carried  by  to  the  rear  early  in  the  morning,  and  the  morrow  would  doubt 
less  increase  the  number,  for  at  6  o'clock  p.  M.,  there  was  an  order  to 
move  by  light  the  next  day,  with  one  day's  rations  and  in  light  marching 
order.  General  Butler,  impatient  of  longer  delay,  had  determined  at  last 
to  throw  forward  his  whole  force,  and  effect,  if  possible,  more  decisive 
results. 

"General  Smith  was  to  endeavor  to  reach  the  railroad  bridge  over 
Swift  Creek,  supported  by  General  Gillmore  on  the  left,  toward  Chester 
Station."  * 

Petersburg,  it  seems,  was  then  the  objective  point.  Gillmore  reached 
and  destroyed  several  miles  of  the  railroad  during  the  afternoon,  while 
Smith  engaged  the  enemy  at  Swift  Creek. 

The  plan  was  "to  pass  Swift  Creek,  reach  the  Appomatox,  and  destroy 
the  bridges  across  it ;  while  General  Hinks,  with  his  colored  troops,  was 
to  move  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  upon  Petersburg  itself,  and  create 
a  diversion,  if  he  could  not  take  the  city,  while  the  enemy  was  defending 
the  line  of  the  Creek."  ' 

The   Twelfth    moved  with  the    rest  of  the   division    at   daylight  :    and, 

*  General  Butler's  account. 


^Vnc   Hampshire    Volunteer*.  175 

preceded  by  Brooks's  division,  marched  down  the  turnpike,  as  soon  as 
reached,  toward  Petersburg. 

The  day  was  much  too  warm  for  comfort,  even  in  the  shade,  and 
there  was  an  uninviting  prospect  of  having  warmer  work  than  marching 
for  the  boys  to  do  before  night.  Several  were  more  or  less  seriously 
affected  bv  the  heat,  among  whom  was  Major  Langley,  who  was  taken 
sick  just  as  the  regiment  was  going  into  action  ;  and  Captain  Barker  took 
command  as  the  next  ranking  officer.  Although  the  former  now  and 
then  assumed  command  after  that,  when  the  regiment  was  on  the  march 
or  in  camp,  he  never  was  present  with  it  in  any  battle  after  the  first  day 
at  Gettysburg,  the  danger  and  responsibility  always  devolving  upon 
Captain  Barker. 

After  marching  six  or  seven  miles,  General  Brooks  found  himself  con 
fronted  bv  the  enemy,  who  immediately  opened  fire  with  his  artillery, 
supported  by  quite  a  large  force  of  infantry.  General  Weitzel  at  once 
moved  forward  and  deployed  Heckman's  brigade  of  his  division,  with  its 
centre  on  the  turnpike,  where  he  posted  one  section  of  Follet's  battery. 
Wistar's  brigade  was  ordered  up  in  support  of  Heckman,  but  not  yet 
deploved.  The  division  moved  forward  in  this  way  until  it  came  up  with 
Marston's  brigade  of  Brooks's  division,  and  while  his  command  was 
getting  into  position,  General  Heckman  advanced  his  skirmishers,  and 
opened  fire  with  his  artillery.  The  fire  of  the  enemy  increasing,  out- 
brigade  (Wistar's)  moved  forward  and  deployed  on  the  right  of  Heck 
man's  ;  and  the  veterans  of  the  Twelfth  soon  found  themselves  exposed 
to  lead  as  well  as  iron  once  more,  while  to  the  recruits  it  was  a  new 
experience  that  blanched  the  faces  of  some  of  them. 

The  regiment  now  advanced  into  a  narrow  strip  of  woods,  through 
which  the  roar  of  battle  came  with  frightful  intensity. 

There  was  heavy  musketry  in  the  immediate  front,  and  spiteful  Minies 
were  hissing  all  around  ;  but  the  most  of  them  passed  harmlessly  over 
head  or  buried  themselves  in  the  pine  trees.  The  Twelfth  was  near  the 
extreme  right  of  the  actual  battle  line,  and  was  preceded  by  the  Eleventh 
Connecticut,  which  received  the  first  fire  of  the  enemy,  and  must  have 
suffered  considerable  loss.  It  soon  fell  back  in  some  confusion,  and  the 
Twelfth  advanced  and  took  its  place. 

At  about  this  time  there  was  a  charge  of  some  South  Carolina  troops 
against  our  centre,  upon  and  near  the  turnpike,  which  was  repulsed  by 
Heckman's  brigade,  assisted  by  Wistar's  ;  and  the  enemy  was  then  driven 
back  in  confusion  to  some  distance  beyond  the  church,  leaving  the 
ground  covered,  in  places,  with  their  dead  and  severely  wounded. 

The  rebels  in  the  immediate  front  of  the  Twelfth  had  taken  a  position 
behind  a  rail  fence,  within  less  than  fifty  yards  from  the  edge  of  the 
woods  :  but  they  fell  back  in  a  few  minutes  after  the  regiment  opened  fire 
upon  them,  being  outflanked  by  the  advance  of  Heckman's  brigade,  after 
having  repulsed  the  charge  above  referred  to. 


T?6  History  oj  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Just  before  the  Eleventh  Connecticut  fell  back,  quite  a  laughable  inci 
dent  occurred  in  the  successful  effort  of  a  lieutenant  and  a  sergeant,  of 
Company  B,  both  undersized,  to  swing  into  line  by  their  coat  tails,  two 
overgrown  musketeers  of  that  regiment — one  of  them  an  orderly  ser 
geant —  who  had  faced  about  and  started  for  the  rear. 

This  engagement,  which  is  recorded  in  history  as  the  battle  of  S.wift 
Creek  or  Harrowfield  Church,  was  short  and  sharp  ;  and,  according  to 
rebel  authorities,  their  retreat,  if  followed  up,  might  have  resulted  in  the 
capture  of  Petersburg. 

A  short  time  before  forming  a  line  of  battle,  but  while  within  reach  of 
the  enemy's  artillery.  George  W.  Clark,  of  Company  E,  lost  his  right 
arm  and  leg  by  the  explosion  of  a  shell.  He  was  at  the  time  sitting 
upon  the  ground,  surrounded  by  several  of  his  comrades :  but  none, 
except  himself,  were  seriously  injured.  He  said  it  was  a  personal  call 
for  which  he  did  not  feel  especially  grateful.  Several  others  of  the 
Twelfth  were  wounded  during  the  engagement,  but  none  mortally. 

A  remarkable  coincidence  of  this  battle,  in  relation  to  the  contest 
between  Massachusetts  and  South  Carolina  troops,  will  be  related  later 
in  this  history. 

The  church  from  which  this  battle  takes  its  name,  and  around  which 
the  battle  fiercely  raged,  is  still  standing,  unrepaired,  and  plainly  shows 
by  the  many  bullet  holes  in  both  sides,  that  it  stood  for  a  while  between 
the  contending  lines.  When  visited  a  few  years  ago  by  Lieutenant 
Rufus  E.  Gale  and  the  writer,  it  appeared  as  sombre  and  solemn  as  a 
tomb  ;  and  not  strangely  so  either,  for  memory  repictured  the  dead  and 
dying  who  had  once  filled  and  surrounded  it.  To  the  surprise  of  the 
visitors,  who  walked  over  the  distance,  it  was  found  to  be  but  two  miles 
from  Petersburg  city,  between  which  and  the  Union  army,  at  the  time  of  the 
battle,  there  existed  but  nearly  vacant  works  of  defense,  and  a  small 
defeated  and  retreating  force  of  the  enemy.  Only  two  miles  of  almost 
unobstructed  way,  and  more  than  twenty  thousand  comparatively  fresh 
troops,  leaving  ample  reserves,  to  fill  it:  and  yet  that  most  important 
plain,  vitally  so  to  the  Confederate  cause,  left  unmolested  ! 

General  Butler  —  being  misled,  as  he  says,*  by  false  reports  from  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  from  which  he  believed  that  Grant  was  driving 
Lee's  forces,  defeated  and  demoralized,  rapidly  southward  —  concluded, 
before  the  light  of  the  next  day,  when  he  was  to  have  pushed  forward 
toward  or  into  Petersburg,  to  change  his  plan  of  operating  any  further  in 
that  direction,  and  turn  his  course  toward  Richmond,  in  or  around  which 
he  expected  to  join  his  army  with  that  of  the  Potomac,  and  give  a  finish 
ing  stroke  to  the  rebellion. 

That  night  the  men  slept  on  their  arms,  but  were  called  up  three  or 
four  times  to  repel  an  expected  attack.  There  was  a  detail  from  the  reg 
iment  the  next  morning  to  help  bury  the  rebel  dead,  with  which  the 

« 

*  See  many  pages  of  explanation  in  "  Butler's  Own  Book,"  which  should  be  read  by  every  survivor  of 
the  Armv  of  the  James. 


JVczu  Hampshire   Volunteers.  177 

• 

ground  in  front  of  Heckman's  brigade  was  nearly  covered.  "•  That  man 
is  alive,"  said  a  soldier  to  an  officer  of  the  Twelfth  as  he  was  carefully 
finding  his  way  across  the  ground.  "What  man  do  you  mean?"  "The 
one  you  have  just  stepped  over."  A  glance  at  the  upturned  face  and 
then,  '"Yes,  in  Heaven,  I  hope."  "  But  he  is  alive;  you  get  down  and 
see  if  he  isn't."  And  true  as  it  was  strange,  though  looking  to  be  as 
dead  as  his  comrades  around  him,  closer  examination  showed  that  he 
still  breathed,  fourteen  hours  after  having  the  back  part  of  his  head  torn 
off  by  a  shell  !  Sad  and  sickening  as  was  the  sight  of  the  battlefield, 
a  more  pitiable  one  was  presented  in  the  old  church  near  by.  filled  with 
the  Confederate  wounded.  How  quick  the  hatred  of  man  turns  into 
tender  compassion  at  such  a  sight  as  this  ;  and  something  comes  up  irom 
the  depths  of  his  soul,  where  dwells  the  germ  of  immortality,  that  says: 
This  is  all  wrong  ;  man  was  not  made  to  kill  his  fellow  man.  An  hour, 
perhaps,  ago,  and  at  bayonet  points  they  seek  each  other's  lives  ;  but 
now,  like  noxious  vapors  of  the  night  exhaled  in  the  morning  dew,  the 
base  passions  of  the  human  heart  are  washed  away  by  tears,  and  the 
brute  is  a  man  again. 

About  noon,  while  the  rays  of  the  mid-day's  sun  were  almost  hot 
enough  to  liquify  the  air,  the  Twelfth,  with  the  rest  of  the  brigade, 
started  on  a  forced  march  of  four  miles  up  the  turnpike  to  reinforce  Gen 
eral  Terry,  who,  in  command  of  a  part  of  the  Tenth  Corps,  was  heavily 
engaged  with  the  enemy  at  Lempster  Hill.  This  was  the  severest  test  of 
physical  endurance  that  the  regiment  was  ever  called  upon  to  make,  in 
the  same  length  of  time,  on  a  march.  No  man  that  fell  by  the  wayside 
that  afternoon,  and  there  were  many,  could  be  accused  or  suspicioned  of 
"playing  it."  Almost  as  consistent  to  accuse  a  company  of  hunters,  who 
had  run  through  a  North  Carolina  pitch  pine  conflagration,  of  pretend 
ing  to  be  overcome  by  the  heat.  Indeed,  the  comparison  is  but  a  part  of 
the  reality,  for  when  the  brigade  came  up  to  the  scene  of  action  the 
underbrush  of  the  woods  that  had  been  set  on  fire  was  still  burning,  and 
into  these  woods,  from  which  Terry's  men  had  been  driven,  a  portion  of 
the  reinforcements,  among  which  was  Company  B  of  the  Twelfth,  was 
obliged  to  advance  to  form  a  skirmish  and  picket  line. 

"  Stand  it  for  half  an  hour  if  possible,  and  you  shall  be  relieved,"  were 
the  words  of  Captain  Barker  to  the  nearly  exhausted  men  of  his  old 
company  as  thev  advanced  into  the  smoke  and  fire.  With  their  blood 
already  boiling  within  their  veins,  it  seemed  impossible  for  them  to  bear 
up  under  the  terrible  ordeal,  and  withstand  both  the  heat  of  the  sun  and 
the  flames.  And  so  it  proved  ;  for  the  lieutenant  commanding  the  com 
pany,  hurrying  back  and  forward  to  have  his  command  connect  —  before 
the  enemy  should  again  attack  — with  the  details  from  the  other  regiments, 
snapped  the  over-strained  cord  of  his  physical  endurance,  and  he  fell 
exhausted  upon  the  ground,  feeling,  as  he  afterwards  expressed  it,  as 
if  every  drop  of  his  blood  had  instantly  turned  into  ice  water.  This 
r; 


178  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

instance  is  given  to  illustrate  the  experience  of  all  in  a  greater  or  less 
degree,  as  they  were  more  or  less  able  to  withstand  the  heat  and  toil  of 
the  day.  Captain  Barker,  in  a  letter  home,  writes  that  "over  one  hun 
dred  of  the  regiment  were  prostrated  by  the  heat  on  the  Qth  and  loth." 
The  enemy  having  been  repulsed,  the  brigade,  after  a  few  hours'  rest  — 
as  necessary  as  desirable  —  marched  back  in  the  evening  to  its  late 
camping  ground. 

The  officer  above  referred  to  by  a  quick  and  free  application  of  cold 
water  upon  his  head  recovered  so  that  he  was  able  to  return  to  camp  with 
the  regiment  by  riding  on  a  cannon,  but  has  probably  never  fully  recov 
ered  from  the  effects  of  the  shock  to  this  day. 

On  the  1 2th  another  advance  was  made  by  the  whole  army,  but  this 
time  toward  Richmond  ;  the  Eighteenth  and  Tenth  Corps  forming  the 
right  and  left  wings.  Day  had  but  just  dawned  when  the  Twelfth  started 
again  in  search  of  the  enemy.  The  turnpike  was  soon  reached,  but  not 
now,  as  on  Tuesday,  to  burn  and  choke  in  the  sun  and  dust,  for  the 
clouds  that  had  obscured  the  one  had  already  commenced  to  secure  the 
other;  and  rain  and  mud,  however  disagreeable,  was  a  most  welcome 
change  from  the  scorching  sun  and  suffocating  dust.  In  line  of  battle, 
with  the  Second  Brigade  in  the  lead  and  the  Twelfth  in  the  front  line, 
the  division  advances  up  the  turnpike  some  three  or  four  miles  with  but  little 
opposition,  the  enemy  falling  slowly  back.  Now  and  then  the  scattering 
skirmish  fire  would  thicken  into  volleys,  as  if  the  resisting  force  had 
taken  a  position  and  intended  to  hold  it ;  but  no  sooner  would  the  reserve 
corne  up  to  the  relief  of  the  skirmishers,  than  the  enemy  would  fall  back 
again,  showing  that  they  were  fighting  to  gain  time  for  reinforcements 
before  daring  to  risk  a  general  engagement.  Thus  were  the  rebel  troops 
driven  back  about  four  miles  to  Proctor's  Creek.  Here  night  found  the 
picket  lines  of  the  two  armies  so  closely  confronting  each  other  that 
orders  were  given  to  shoot  at  anything  that  approached  without  calling 
a  halt.  A  detail  from  the  regiment  went  on  picket. 

The  temperature  had  fallen  rapidly  during  the  day,  and  the  night  set 
in  cold  and  rainy.  It  is  hard  enough  for  men  in  the  front  line,  as  was 
the  Twelfth,  to  be  obliged  to  lie  all  night  on  their  arms  in  the  cold 
drenching  rain  ;  but  for  the  picket,  who  has  to  stand  where  the  snap  of  a 
twig  beneath,  or  the  fall  of  a  limb  or  piece  of  bark  from  above,  vividly 
suggests  to  his  mind  the  stealthy  advance  of  a  rebel  in  front,  and  where 
the  blaze  of  a  match  to  light  his  pipe,  unless  carefully  covered  from  sight, 
is  at  the  peril  of  his  life,  it  is  even  harder.  Sometimes  imagination  will 
give  human  shape  to  the  darkness  in  the  direction  of  the  sound,  and  then, 
without  a  word,  he  takes  deliberate  aim  at  nothing,  and  discharges  his 
musket.  This,  of  course,  is  followed  by  shots  from  the  enemy's  pickets, 
answered  by  our  own ;  and  soon  the  reserves  are  roused  up  and  stand  to 
arms  an  hour  or  more.  But  this  night  the  heavy  fall  of  rain  drowned 
out  all  other  sounds,  save  the  dismal  howl  of  the  wind  through  the  forest 
trees,  and  no  false  alarm  disturbed  the  tired  soldiers'  rest. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  179 

The  i3th,  so  far  as  the  Twelfth  and  rest  of  the  brigade  participated, 
was  but  a  repetition  of  the  day  before,  the  rebel  lines,  closely  contesting 
every  foot  of  ground  before  yielding  it,  were  driven  back  to  the  Relay 
House,  half  way  on  the  turnpike  between  Petersburg  and  Richmond, 
but  only  a  few  miles  nearer  either  place  than  where  the  troops  landed  at 
Bermuda  Hundred  seven  days  before.  The  rain  continued  to  fall  during 
the  day  and  night,  yet  a  bow  of  promise  appeared  to  the  mental  vision 
when  the  news  came  that  Grant  was  driving  Lee  back,  and  had  "cap 
tured  forty  guns  and  six  'thousand  prisoners."  News  of  this  kind, 
whether  true  or  false,  was  generally  believed  by  the  soldiers,  for  a  report 
of  what  we  ardently  wish  we  easily  believe  ;  and  something  of  this  kind 
was  needed  at  this  time  to  cheer  up  the  half  desponding  officers  and 
men,  who  had  already  begun  to  fear  that  Butler  had  lost  the  kev  to  the 

»/  ~  ~ 

rear  entrance,  and  if  Richmond  was  taken  at  all  that  spring  it  would  be 
by  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  not  by  that  of  the  James. 

On  the  i4th  occurred  what  is  referred  to  by  some  of  the  southern 
authors  as  the  attack  upon  Fort  Stevens,  but  to  which  the  Twelfth  Regi 
ment  has  given  the  name  of  the  Battle  of  the  Relay  House,  as  it  was 
near  the  latter  that  the  affair  commenced  early  in  the  morning,  by  a  loss 
in  the  regiment  of  one  man  killed  and  several  wounded,  and  ended  in  the 
afternoon  by  the  capture  of  the  fort  in  the  assault  upon  which  it  took  a 
conspicuous  part. 

The  outer  line  of  the  enemy's  defenses,  on  a  commanding  ridge  of 
land,  were  abandoned  after  a  slight  resistance,  as  General  Beauregard 
"thought  it  better  to  concentrate  his  troops"  before  risking  a  general 
engagement,*  and  the  Army  of  the  James,  now  extending  from  that  river 
or  near  it,  across  and  for  some  distance  beyond  the  turnpike,  advanced 
slowly  and  cautiously  over  the  next  rise  of  ground,  running  back  from 
the  river  nearly  parallel  with  the  first,  and  known  as  Drury's  Bluff.  The 
Twelfth,  still  in  the  front  line,  advances  through  a  piece  of  woods,  where 
the  spiked  tops  of  the  felled  trees  made  further  progress  both  difficult  and 
dangerous,  and  suddenly  debouches  close  upon  the  glacis  of  a  small  fort. 
Fortunately  the  guns  of  the  fort  just  then  were  too  busy  in  another  direc 
tion  to  turn  their  attention  upon  the  "  Mountaineers,"  otherwise  the  fight 
ing  record  of  the  regiment,  without  new  recruits,  would  have  ended  then 
and  there.  But  the  situation  was  too  perilous  for  such  good  luck  to  con 
tinue  long,  and  no  sooner  was  the  clear  ground  reached,  where  a  rapid 
advance  upon  the  fort  could  be  made,  than  two  howitzers  open  fire  at 
short  range  with  shell  and  scrapnel  upon  them.  It  seemed  now  as  if 
little  less  than  annihilation  would  be  the  fate  of  the  brave  men,  who,  stern 
and  steady,  were  moving  into  the  very  jaws  of  death.  The  first  shell 
passes  over  the  heads  of  the  men  and  explodes  just  in  the  rear. 

The  rebel  gunners,  firing  from  the  parapet  of  the  fort  at  so  short  a 
range,  had  miscalculated  the  angle  of  depression,  and  cut  their  fuse  cor- 

*  Rise  and  Full  of  the  Confederate  Government,  by  Jefferson  Davis. 


180  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

respondingly  long;  the  second,  third,  fourth,  and  fifth,  each  coming 
closer  and  bursting  nearer  than  the  preceding  one,  until  the  last  barely 
grazes  the  low  bowed  heads  of  the  men  and  explodes  but  a  few  feet  in 
their  rear.  The  last?  Would  it  had  been  so!  but  before  the  Union 
sharpshooters,  who  had  crept  up  under  the  fort,  could  silence  the  guns, 
another  shot  strikes  in  the  front  of  Company  G,  and  nine  more  men  of 
that  ill-fated  company  are  left  behind  to  find  their  way  or  be  carried  to 
the  field  hospital,  where  one  of  them,  A.  H.  Prescott,  soon  after  expired. 

The  rebels,  finding  capture  or  evacuation  the  only  alternative,  chose 
the  latter,  and  fell  back  into  another  and  larger  fort,  from  which  they 
opened  a  destructive  fire  upon  such  troops  as,  in  the  attack  upon  the 
smaller  one,  had  come  within  range.  This  exposure,  which  was  shared 
by  the  Twelfth,  was,  however,  of  short  duration  ;  for  one  or  two  of  our 
batteries  concentrating  their  fire  upon  it,  this  fort — called  by  its  defend 
ers  Fort  Stevens — soon  became  as  silent,  although  still  occupied,  as  the 
other;  but  not  until  its  flag  staff  had  been  twice  cut  off,  and  a  heavy 
explosion,  thought  at  the  time  to  be  its  magazine,  had  taken  place  within 
its  walls  from  the  excellent  practice  of  our  artillery. 

It  was  during  the  artillery  fight  between  our  batteries  and  this  fort  that 
one  of  the  Union  officers  made  himself  most  unenviably  conspicuous  by 
riding  daringly  and  defiantly  into  the  very  face  of  the  enemy.  Mounted 
on  a  large  white  horse  and  wearing  a  broad-rimmed  white  or  light 
colored  hat,  but  without  coat  or  vest,  he  galloped  off  in  easy  "  cow 
boy  "  style  towards  the  fort.  Rebel  minies  warned  him  back,  almost  as 
soon  as  he  started  ;  but  unheedingly  he  rode  on,  not  even  quickening  the 
pace  of  his  steed,  straight  toward  the  smoke-wreathed  mouths  of  the 
enemy's  guns.  It  was  thought  at  first  that  he  was  the  bearer  of  some 
message  from  General  Butler  to  the  commander  of  the  fort,  perhaps 
demanding  its  surrender  :  but  as  he  displayed  no  flag  of  truce,  except 
that  his  white  horse  and  hat  might  be  acknowledged  as  such,  this  idea  of 
his  purpose  soon  gave  way  to  one  of  intense  curiosity  as  to  what  it 
might  be.  After  approa'ching  to  within  a  few  yards  of  the  fort,  he  veers 
off  to  the  left,  his  horse  now  being  urged  onward  both  by  the  sting  of 
his  fearless  rider's  spurs  and  of  bullets  from  rebel  sharpshooters  in  the 
fort  and  in  the  trees  beyond,  and  taking  a  circuitous  course  between  that 
and  the  fort  just  captured,  rides  around  the  latter  and  back  into  the 
Union  lines  none  the  worse,  but  all  the  better  for  the  entertainment  he 
had  given  the  many  lookers-on  in  both  armies,  for  it  evidently  had 
sobered  him  off  a  little.  The  horse,  the  only  one  of  the  two  to  be  either 
pitied  or  praised,  was  severely  injured  and  lamed,  when  near  the  fort,  by 
a  bullet  in  the  shoulder ;  but  succeeded,  apparently  by  great  effort,  for 
one  of  his  legs  was  almost  useless,  in  bringing  his  master  safely  out  of 
the  danger  so  foolishly  incurred.  Some  have  said  that  the  rider  was  a 
staff'  officer,  acting  sober-minded  and  under  orders  ;  but  it  is  not  easy  to 
be  thus  convinced,  for  there  was  neither  sense  nor  service  in  the 
undertaking. 


Ne-w  Hampshire   Volunteers.  181 

About  noon  the  long,  cold  rain  storm  broke  and  scattered  in  fugitive 
clouds,  and  soon  the  sun  shone  out  again  clear  and  hot,  much  more 
needed  and  less  dreaded  by  the  tired,  water-soaked  soldiers  than  when  he 
disappeared  three  days  before.  The  soldier,  as  well  as  the  sailor,  has 
reason  sometimes  to  thank  God  that  he  can  see 

"  The  glorious  lamp  of  heaven,  the  radiant  sun" 

once  more  and  feel  his  genial  rays. 

It  was  this  afternoon,  after  the  firing  had  subsided  to  now  and  then  a 
crack  from  sharpshooters  on  either  side,  that  Jefferson  Davis,  who  had 
come  down  from  Richmond  to  consult  with  General  Beauregard,  suppos 
ing  his  forces  still  held  the  advance  line  of  defense,  came  near  walking 
into  our  lines.  Had  the  fact  been  then  known,  our  pickets  could  have 
easily  brought  him  in  and  introduced  him  to  General  Butler,  who  would 
undoubtedly  have  gladly  given  him  safe  passport  back  to — Washington. 

It  had  been  a  severe  day  for  the  regiment.  From  light  till  night  it  had 
been  facing  and  fighting  the  enemy,  without  chance  to  eat,  drink,  or 
rest;  while  its  loss  had  been  one  killed  and  ten  or  twelve  wounded,  one 
mortally  and  one  dying  soon  after.* 

Under  date  of  May  15,  we  find  the  following  written  in  one  of  the  diaries 
before  us  :  '•  Sweet  day  of  rest  to  some  but  not  to  us"  ;  and  from  another  : 
"Last  night  the  enemy  tried  to  drive  us  back,  but  in  vain  —  shells  fell 
thickly  around  us";  while  from  a  third  we  read:  "Not  much  doing; 
skirmishing  going  on  all  day."  These  extracts,  taken  together,  need  but 
little  explanation  to  give  the  reader  a  good  idea  of  the  situation. 
Although  there  was  but  little  done,  compared  with  the  three  preceding 
days,  it  was  far  different  from  the  quiet  Sabbath  rest  of  home  ;  and  the 
attack  of  the  night  before,  followed  up  by  the  constant  activity  of  the 
opposing  skirmish  lines  through  the  day,  were  premonitory  vibrations  of 
the  coming  earthquake  shock  that  rendered  vigilance  too  rigid  and  exact 
ing  to  allow  that  relaxation  of  nerve,  without  which  mere  muscular 
inertia  is  like  hanging  up  the  bent  bow,  that  it  may  swifter  send  the 
arrow  when  it  is  again  used. 

There  was  no  attack  or  advance  made  or  attempted  on  either  side.  It 
was  the  lull  before  the  storm.  Smith  and  Gillmore,  fearing  it,  suggested 
to  General  Butler,  it  is  said,  the  propriety  of  entrenching;  but  were 
given  to  understand  that  hearts  and  not  spades  were  trumps  in  the  Army 
of  the  James.  When,  a  few  hours  later,  he  saw  so  many  brave  hearts 
left  to  be  covered  up  by  the  rebel  spades,  he  doubtless  thought  differ 
ently.  The  officers  and  men  of  the  regiments,  receiving  no  orders  but 
thinking  it  prudent  to  throw  up  some  means  of  defense,  went  to  work, 
where  they  could,  and  built  up  a  kind  of  breastwork  of  old  logs  and 
poles,  which  served  them  a  good  purpose  the  next  day. 

*  See  table  of  losses. 


CHAPTER     X. 

DRURY'S  BLUFF  AND  PORT  WALTHALL. 

Butler's  army  was  now  resting  upon  dangerous  ground.  Beauregard, 
one  of  the  ablest  of  the  Confederate  generals,  had  arrived  upon  the  field 
early  on  the  morning  of  the  i4th,  and  a  few  hours  later  Jeff.  Davis 
himself  was  there,  holding  consultation  with  him.  Their  forces  were 
gathering  from  all  directions,  and  concentrating  upon  Butler's  front,  with 
a  well  defined  purpose  of  turning  one  or  both  of  his  flanks,  cutting  him 
from  his  base  and  destroying  his  army.  How  dangerously  near  they 
came  to  doing  it  is  now  well  known  history. 

A  little  past  midnight  on  the  morning  of  the  i6th  of  May  orders  came 
from  brigade  headquarters  to  Captain  Barker  to  tear  down  the  telegraph 
wire  along  the  turnpike  and  stretch  it,  a  little  less  than  knee  high,  about 
eighty  paces  in  front  of  the  regiment.  This  order  was  at  once  given  to 
Lieutenant  Bartlett,  and  selecting  three  agile  young  men  from  his  com 
pany,  one  of  whom  was  John  D.  Sherburne,  of  Company  F,  to  assist  him, 
the  telegraph  poles  were  climbed  and  wire  enough  detached  to  stretch 
two  lines  instead  of  one,  which  was  accordingly  done,  the  second  line 
about  half  between  the  first  and  the  line  of  battle.  The  ground  in  front 
had  been  cleared  a  year  or  two  before,  so  that  while  the  stumps  made 
good  posts  to  securely  fasten  the  wire,  the  thick  growth  of  sprouts  com 
pletely  hid  it  from  sight.  Although  protected  by  only  a  low  line  of  logs 
and  sticks,  such  as  could  be  easily  gathered  and  thrown  up  scarcely  high 
enough  to  cover  the  legs,  yet,  with  this  double  line  of  wire  within  close 
musket  range  in  their  front,  the  Twelfth  alone,  with  flanks  secure,  could 
have  withstood  a  good  portion  of  the  rebel  force.  It  was  the  only  time 
that  the  regiment  ever  fought  the  enemy  at  an  advantage  of  either  works 
or  position,  and  never  before  did  it  inflict  so  great  a  punishment  at  so 
little  cost. 

Three  or  four  hours  later,  but  before  the  light  of  day  had  scarcely 
penetrated  the  dense  fog,  that  had  intensified  the  darkness  of  the  night, 
there  was  a  screech  and  a  roll  of  musketry  on  our  right  and  centre,  and 
soon  our  pickets  came  running  in,  closely  followed  by  the  flash-marked 
lines  of  the  enemy  in  rapid  pursuit,  hoping  evidently  to  attack  our  main 
line  before  fully  prepared  to  receive  them.  At  the  same  time  their 
artillery  opened  upon  our  lines  with  deadly  effect,  showing  that  they  had 
the  exact  range  of  our  position  and  were  ready  for  action  the  day  before. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  183 

The  men  jumped  to  arms,  half  awake  and  half  dreaming,  hardly  hav 
ing  time  to  fully  realize  the  situation  before  the  rebel  infantry  burst  out  of 
the  fog  upon  them. 

The  pickets  from  the  Twelfth,  in  command  of  Lieutenant  Emery,  of 
Company  F,  not  knowing  that  the  wire  had  been  put  up  between  them 
and  the  regiment,  had  a  rough  but  amusing  experience  in  running 
against  and  tumbling  over  two  lines  of  it  in  their  hasty  retreat.  So 
quickly  and  unexpectedly  did  they  go  down,  upon  striking  the  first  wire, 
that  some  thought  they  had  been  shot,  and  all  had  their  legs  more  or  less 
severely  scraped  and  bruised. 

While  the  attack  is  made,  almost  at  the  same  time,  along  the  whole 
line,  its  chief  weight  falls  upon  the  Eighteenth  Corps,  forming  the  right 
wing  and  holding  the  ground  between  the  turnpike  and  the  river.  Gen 
eral  Heckman's  brigade  on  the  extreme  right  is  soon  driven  back  and  he 
with  many  of  his  men  captured.  The  enemy  now  concentrates  upon  our 
centre,  and  the  storm  of  battle  beats  upon  Wistar's  and  Burnham's  bri 
gades  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  turnpike  with  redoubled  fury.  Charge 
after  charge  was  made,  first  on  one  brigade  and  then  on  the  other.  But 
four  New  Hampshire  regiments,  with  as  many  more  from  New  York  and 
Connecticut,  were  there  ;  while  on  or  near  the  turnpike  were  aligned 
four  twenty-pound  Parrott  guns  and  two  or  more  ten-pound  Napoleon 
pieces  of  Ashby's  and  Belger's  batteries,  presenting  a  dangerous  front. 

This  strong  array  of  infantry  and  artillery,  protected  by  the  hidden  line 
•of  telegraph  wire,  within  easy  range  of  the  ranks  of  musketry,  was  a  lit 
tle  too  formidable  even  for  a  triple  number  of  fiery  Southerners  ;  and 
their  efforts  to  break  or  drive  back  the  Yankees  at  this  point  were  all  in 
vain. 

General  Ransom,  the  Confederate  commander  on  the  field,  seeing  his 
troops  as  often  repulsed  as  they  charged,  and  attributing  the  chief  cause 
to  our  artillery — knowing  nothing  of  the  more  potent  but  silent  line  of 
wire  in  the  bushes  —  ordered  that  the  guns  upon  the  turnpike  be  silenced 
by  sharpshooters,  and  if  possible,  captured.  This  made  the  position  of 
Companies  C  and  G,  on  the  left  of  the  regiment,  not  only  uncomfortably 
warm,  but,  for  a  while  at  least,  dangerously  hot ;  and  there  was  a  sharp 
contest  for  the  guns  in  which  the  battery  was  getting  the  worst  of  it,  the 
gunners  being  nearly  all  killed  or  wounded,  and  the  only  officer  left 
obliged  to  fall  back  and  leave  his  guns,  already  silent,  within  a  few  yards 
of  the  enemy.  Seeing  this,  Captain  Bedee  of  Company  G,  and  Lieuten 
ant  Sanders,  in  command  of  Company  C,  followed  by  eight  or  ten  men 
as  brave  and  determined  as  themselves,  rushed  forward,  manned  and 
served  some  of  the  guns  so  promptly  and  efficiently  that  the  charging 
rebel  force  that  had  so  nearly  captured  them,  was  driven  back,  and  the 
battery,  for  the  time  being,  saved. 

Before  this,  however,  there  had  been  two  charges  upon  our  brigade, 
ot   which  the  Twelfth   had  its   full  share  of  work  in  repulsing.      But 


184  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

the  best  and  the  most  unyielding  and  destructive  line  of  battle  that  the 
rebel  forces  had  to  meet  that  day  was  the  telegraph  wire,  and  had  it  been 
stretched  in  front  of  Heck  man's  brigade  as  it  was  in  front  of  Wistar's 

& 

the  result  might  have  been  a  Union  victory.  As  before  stated,  the 
Twelfth  was  protected  by  a  double  line  of  this  wire  ;  and  with  a  few  logs 
behind  which  the  men,* by  kneeling  down,  could  load  and  fire  without 
much  exposure,  their  position  was  secure  against  many  times  their  num 
ber  attacking  them  in  front.  When,  therefore,  after  having  easily 
repulsed  the  enemy,  the  order  came  to  retreat,  it  was  reluctantly  obeyed 
with  many  exclamations  of  surprise  and  dissatisfaction. 

It  was  the  only  time  that  the  regiment  was  unwilling  to  be  relieved  from 
the  front  line,  either  in  the  field  or  the  trenches  ;  but  this  was  so  greatly  in 
contrast  with  any  battle  experience  they  ever  had  before  that  they  actu 
ally  enjoyed  the  fun  more  than  they  feared  the  danger;  and,  besides,  it 
seemed  too  bad  to  abandon  the  field  to  the  foe  when,  so  far  as  could  be 
observed,  everything  on  that  part  of  the  field  warranted  an  advance  rather 
than  a  retreat.  Notwithstanding  the  advantage  gained  by  the  enemy 
on  the  extreme  right,  by  the  capture  of  General  Heckman  and  a  part  of 
his  brigade,  it  would  seem  that  if  the  order  to  fall  back  was  not  premature, 
the  continuation  of  that  retrograde  movement  to  the  relinquish ment  of  all 
that  had  been  gained  by  five  days  of  continuous  fighting,  and  until  the 
Army  of  the  James  \vas  completely  penned  in  and  "  bottled  up,"  was,  to 
say  the  least,  ill-advised.  That  there  was  scarcely  an  attempt  made  in 
any  considerable  force  to  follow  up  our  retreat  is  explained  by  the  report 
of  General  Ransom,  who,  under  General  Beauregard,  had  the  immediate 
command  of  the  rebel  forces  engaged.  From  this  report  we  learn  that  a 
vigorous  advance,  instead  of  disgraceful  retreat  by  our  army  would  prob 
ably  have  changed  the  result  of  the  conflict. 

After  falling  back  through  a  narrow  strip  of  woods  and  across  an  open 
field,  the  artillery  of  the  division  was  aligned  on  a  ridge  running  parallel 
with  the  belt  of  woods,  and  the  Twelfth  and  some  of  the  other  regiments 
of  the  brigade  ordered  to  lie  down  just  in  front  of  the  guns.  Soon  the 
rebel  skirmishers  were  seen  slowly  and  cautiously  advancing.  Waiting 
until  a  portion  of  their  line  had  reached  the  edge  of  the  woods,  from  the 
cover  of  which  they  did  not  seem  inclined  to  show  themselves,  the 
officer  in  command  of  the  batteries  gave  the  order:  Half-second  fuse; 
fire;  and  a-  deafening  roar,  a  blast  of  hot  air,  and  a  "swish"  of  shells 
just  above  our  heads,  and  we  laugh  to  watch  the  effect  of  their  bursting 
upon  the  Johnnies,  jumping,  dodging,  and  running  among  the  trees. 
This  was  the  last  seen  by  us  of  the  gray  uniforms  that  day,  although  we 
remained  in  position  there  for  several  hours  ;  and  near  night  marched 
back  to  our  old  camp  ground  again.  The  men  were  so  tired  and  worn 
down  from  want  of  rest  and  sleep  that  some  were  unable  to  march  after 
the  excitement  of  the  battle  was  over,  and  had  to  be  carried  back  in 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers,  185 

ambulances  ;  one  officer  who  was  unable  to  walk,  but  disdaining  to  take 
a  sick  man's  conveyance,  rode  back  to  camp  on  one  of  the  cannon. 

General  Beauregard,  finding  that  his  adversary  was  either  too  weak  to 
do,  or  too  timid  to  dare  —  both  equally  ineffectual  in  war — determined  to 
follow  up  his  advantage;  and,  being  reinforced  by  General  Whiting's 
command  that  had  failed  to  come  up  from  Petersburg  in  time  for  the  bat 
tle,  he  resolved  to  attack  General  Butler  again  before  he  could  have  time 
to  strengthen  his  entrenchments.  It  was  now,  per  force  of  necessity,  that 
spades  were  trump  and  hearts  obliged  to  sadly  follow  suit.  For  two 
days  and  one  night  the  men  —  first  altogether,  and  then  by  short  reliefs  - 
were  incessantly  at  work  throwing  up  a  strong  line  of  breastworks  with 
redans  and  bastions,  except  when  obliged  to  drop  the  spade  and  grab  the 
musket  to  defend  themselves  against  the  attacks  of  the  enemy.  They 
worked  with  their  equipments  on  and  their  guns  close  at  hand,  ready  to 
take  and  fall  into  line  at  a  moment's  warning.  The  Twelfth  was  called  out 
to  resist  attacks  three  or  four  times  ;  and  once,  during  the  night  of  the 
I9th,  it  was  double-quicked  about  half  a  mile  toward  the  right  to  help 
repulse  what  seemed  a  determined  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  break  through 
that  part  of  the  line. 

The  next  day  the  regiment  moved  camp  to  its  proper  place  in  the  line 
of  works,  which  were  soon  completed.  There  was  some  fighting  on  the 
right,  however,  before  night,  the  enemy  reluctantly  giving  up  their 
attempts  to  break  through. 

Of  the  2ist  the  reader  may  learn  from  the  following  entry  in  the 
author's  diary  :  "  The  boys  resting  in  camp,  and  they  need  it  badly.  Last 
night  was  the  first  we  have  been  allowed  to  sleep  all  night  for  three 
weeks  or  more."  It  had,  indeed,  been  a  hard  campaign,  considering  the 
time  and  territory  occupied  and  the  little  or  nothing  accomplished. 

The  following  account  of  the  engagements  at  Drury's  Bluff  is  from 
letters  of  Colonel  Barker,  then  captain  in  command  of  the  regiment, 
written  on  the  field,  the  I5th,  and  the  day  after  the  retreat: 

Close  under  cover  of  a  rebel  earthwork  which  we  captured  yesterday  does 
the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  hold  position  this  morning.  Early  yesterday  our 
lines  were  ordered  to  advance  and  take  the  rebel  works,  just  through  a  belt  of 
woods  on  our  front.  As  I  advanced  my  regiment  through  to  near  the  edge  of 
the  woods  there  loomed  up  before  us  about  three  or  four  hundred  yards  from  the 
opening  a  small  fort  or  redan,  on  which  floated  a  rebel  flag,  and  from  the 
embrasures  of  which  belched  forth  intended  death  and  destruction  for  us;  but  we 
were  so  near,  and  the  shooting  so  high  that  without  halt  or  hesitation  we  moved 
on  over  the  glacis,  which,  by  the  way,  was  so  obstructed  by  fallen  trees  that  our 
movement  was  necessarily  very  slow.  Through  fear  of  capture  the  rebels  beat 
a  hasty  retreat,  leaving  this  work  to  us;  but  about  seven  hundred  yards  beyond, 
from  another  fort  with  embrasures  for  six  guns,  they  opened  fire  upon  us.  We 
came  to  a  halt  in  position,  where,  lying,  we  were  slightly  protected  from  their 
fire.  Let  me  give  you  an  idea  of  the  position  : 


i86 


History  of  the  Tzvelfth  Regiment 


Rebel  works. 


Arti   11 
IIIlllI 


Rebel  works. 


Redan. 


ery. 
IIII 


13th  N.  H.     10th  N.  H.    118th  N.Y.    8th  Conn. 

Biimhani's  Brigade. 
Brooks's  Division. 


12th  N.  H.    llth  Conn.     2d  N.  H.     148th  N.Y. 
Wistar's  Brigade. 

Weit/el's  Division. 


You  will  observe  that  Wistar's  brigade  (ours)  is  at  the  right  of  the  Richmond 
and  Petersburg  turnpike,  left  resting  on  it;  on  the  left  is  Burnham's  brigade  of 
Brooks's  division,  right  resting  on  the  pike.  In  front  of  the  Twelfth  you  will 
observe  the  fort  we  captured,  from  which  our  sharpshooters  pick  oft'  the  gunners 
from  the  fort  beyond.  You  will  also  notice  that  Brooks  occupies  the  rebel  rifle- 
pits,  which,  I  can  assure  you,  are  very  formidable.  The  short  marks  indicate  our 
battery,  four  twenty-pound  Parrott,  four  ten-pound  brass  pieces,  and  two  small 
guns  all  trained  on  the  rebel  fort.  [This,  as  will  be  seen,  refers  to  the  i4th.] 

During  a  portion  of  the  day  the  rebs  poured  a  terrific  fire  upon  us,  but  very 
soon  our  sharpshooters  got  in  their  work  and  silenced  most  of  the  guns  in  the 
fort  by  picking  oft'  the  gunners.  During  the  day  we  shot  away  their  colors  sev 
eral  times  and  blew  up  what  some  thought  was  their  magazine,  but  this  could 
not  have  been. 

It  is  quite  amusing  to  see  how  jolly  the  boys  are  under  fire.  One  of  the  sharp 
shooters  told  me  that  he  fired  one  hundred  and  twenty  rounds  of  ammunition  and 
took  aim  every  time. 

[The  following  refers  to  the  i6th  :] 

As  promised  in  my  last  letter,  I  will  in  this  give  you  the  particulars  of  yester 
day 'slight.  As  I  wrote  you,  but  little  else  than  picket  firing  was  carried  on 
during  the  night;  but  at  a  very  early  hour  in  the  morning,  before  light,  the  rebels 
opened  several  pieces  of  artillery  upon  us,  and  the  fact  that  nearly  every  shell 
burst  among  and  about  our  guns  and  artillery  horses  was  good  evidence  that  their 
gunners  were  experts,  and  knew  how  to  get  range,  even  in  the  dark.  The 
fourth  or  fifth  shot  blew  up  one  of  our  caissons,  killing  several  men  and  horses, 
and  producing  the  most  intense  excitement.  For  a  long  time  we  were  idle,  not 
knowing  where  to  direct  our  fire.  The  rebs  were  approaching  under  cover  of 
the  darkness,  and  we  were  quite  ignorant  of  their  position.  As  soon  as  the  day 
began  to  dawn  and  the  fog,  which  was  very  dense,  began  to  lift,  we  discovered 
the  rebel  sharpshooters,  less  than  a  hundred  yards  away,  picking  off'  our  gunners 
and  battery  horses.  I  immediately  directed  Company  G  (Captain  Bedee)  and 
Company  C  (Lieutenant  Sanders)  to  engage  those  gentlemen,  and  drop  every  man 
that  showed  his  head  above  the  earthworks,  a  little  to  our  left,  to  which  they  had 
advanced  and 'taken  shelter  behind.  I  cautioned  the  men  to  waste  no  ammuni 
tion,  but  take  deliberate  aim  at  every  shot.  After  one  of  the  brass  pieces  at  our 


Hampshire   Volunteers.  187 

left  bad  been  abandoned  by  its  officers  and  men,  Captain  Bedee  with  a  few  of 
his  men  worked  it  on  their  own  hook,  delivering  to  the  Johnnies  charge  after 
charge.  While  this  was  going  on  I  observed  to  our  right,  and  just  in  front  of 
the  Eleventh  Connecticut,  a  rebel  regiment  advancing;  between  the  two  was  a 
thick  growth  of  high  bushes,  so  that  within  fifty  yards  neither  regiment  could 
see  the  other.  I  ordered  the  right  wing  of  my  regiment  to  open  an  oblique  fire 
upon  them,  and  at  the  same  time  a  regiment  appeared  at  our  left  upon  which  I 
opened  fire  with  my  left  wing.  Both  regiments  were  so  near  that  I  could  easily 
count  the  stars  upon  their  battle-flags.  The  Eleventh  Connecticut  on  learning 
of  the  presence  of  a  regiment  of  the  enemy  on  their  front,  opened  so  hot  a  fire 
upon  them  that  they  broke  and  ran,  and  while  retreating  the  slaughter  we  made 
among  them  was  terrible. 

After  all  the  battery  horses  had  been  killed,  I  sent  word  to  General  Wistar 
and  suggested  that  some  means  be  provided  to  take  the  guns  to  the  rear.  While 
awaiting  his  orders  I  took  a  part  of  one  company  and  dragged  one  of  the  Parrott 
guns  on  to  the  turnpike,  ready  to  be  taken  away. 

The  men  were  greatly  disappointed  at  having  the  order  for  retreat  announced, 
for  everyone  felt  confident  of  our  ability  to  hold  the  position.  1  called  the  regi 
ment  to  attention,  faced  them  about,  but,  reluctant  to  give  up  the  position,  faced 
them  again  to  the  front,  and  for  a  moment  hesitated,  hoping  that  the  order  might 
be  countermanded;  finding  the  lines  to  our  left  retreating,  I  concluded  there  w*as 
no  alternative  for  me  but  to  obey  orders.  I  again  faced  the  men  about  and 
retreated  in  as  fine  order,  almost,  as  if  on  parade;  and  from  the  fact  that  very 
little  damage  was  done  to  us  while  retreating,  I  was  more  than  ever  convinced 
that  we  had  most  essentially  crippled  the  enemy.  During  the  morning  engage 
ment  my  regiment  expended  nearly  sixty  round*  of  ammunition  per  man,  and  to 
very  excellent  advantage.  Our  loss  was  only  one  killed,  nineteen  wounded,  and 
three  missing.  After  the  first  retreat  we  manoeuvred  about  until  nearly  night, 
when,  for  some  reason,  we  returned  to  camp. 

The  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  has  been  in  the  front  line  of  battle  for  five  days 
without  being  once  relieved,  and  every  day  under  fire,  losing  two  killed,  twenty- 
nine  wounded,  and  three  missing. 

\Ve  have  been  in  sight  of  and  within  eight  miles  of  Richmond,  and  fought  a 
battle,  in  which,  it  seems  to  me,  the  enemy  suffered  the  greater  loss  —  three  to 
one. 

Comparative  quietness  prevailed  tor  the  next  tew  days  after  the  enemy's 
failure  to  break  through  our  lines.  The  Army  of  the  James  was  sate  but 
powerless,  for  it  could  no  more  get  out  of  the  pen  into  which  it  had  been 
driven,  than  the  rebel  forces  could  get  in.  About  this  time  came  news 
from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  that  Lee  was  retreating  across  the  North 
Anna,  and  then  it  was  hurrah  for  Grant,  and  a  groan  for  Butler. 
Although  the  rank  and  file  of  an  army  are  supposed  to  obey  all  orders 
and  question  none,  to  do  everything  and  know  nothing,  or  as  poetically 
put : 

"Theirs  not  to  question  why, 
Theirs  but  to  do  and  die." 


1 88  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Yet  with  the  education  and  intelligence  of  the  average  Union  volunteer, 
it  did  not  take  long  for  a  northern  army  to  understand  final  results,  if 
they  did  not  always  comprehend  the  wisdom  of  original  designs. 

It  was  known  to  the  soldiers  then,  as  well  as  afterward,  that  Butler's 
campaign  was  a  sad  failure  ;  but  the  reasons  why  were  not  so  well  under 
stood.  Those  in  the  army  and  out  naturally  attributed  the  cause  of  the 
defeat  of  the  Army  of  the  James,  from  which  so  much  had  been  expected, 
to  the  inability  of  its  commander,  and  such  has  been  the  popular  belief 
even  to  the  present  day.  But  the  history  of  that  campaign,  when  care 
fully  read  and  considered,  will  do  much  to  greatly  modify,  if  not  entirely 
reverse,  what  has  so  long  stood  as  the  public  verdict. 

It  now  appears  from  the  official  records,  lately  published,  that  Butler 
had  enemies  inside,  as  well  as  outside  his  intrenchments,  to  fight  against ; 
and  that  his  two  corps  commanders,  Smith  and  Gillmore,  were  quite  as 
much,  if  not  more,  interested  to  defeat  him,  as  the  enemy. 

These  generals,  instead  of  showing  themselves  the  true  and  trusted 
right  and  left  hand  advisers  and  supporters  of  their  chief,  as  was  all  the 
more  needful  and  expected,  from  his  own  inexperience  in  the  field,  seemed 
to  take  pleasure  in  seeing  him  thwarted  and  defeated  in  his  plans,  even 
though  the  enemy  would  be  greatly  benefited  thereby.  This,  upon  the 
authority  of  General  Grant,  seems  to  be  especially  true  of  General  Stnit'h, 
who,  "  whilst  a  very  able  officer,  is  obstinate,  and  likely  to  condemn 
whatever  is  not  suggested  by  himself,"  as  written  by  Grant  himself  to 
General  Halleck,  concerning  the  inefficiency  of  the  Army  of  the  James, 
arising  from  the  very  troubles  between  Butler  and  his  commanders,  here 
referred  to.  He  was  afterward  sent  home  in  disgrace  by  General  Grant, 
upon  unmistakable  evidence  of  treachery  and  falsehood,  which  too  plainly 
showed  the  character  of  the  man. 

If  Butler's  own  account  of  his  campaign  is  true,  there  was  hardly  an 
important  order  that  he  gave  to  either  of  his  corps  commanders  while  they 
remained  with  him  that  was  executed  promptly  and  vigorously  as  it  might 
and  should  have  been.  But  however  this  may  be,  there  are  few  who 
fought  in  the  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff,  and  have  taken  pains  to  inform  them 
selves  concerning  it  since,  but  will  agree  with  the  following  extract  from 
General  Heckman's  account  of  that  battle  and  comments  upon  the  result : 

The  press  and  the  histories  of  the  war  blame  Butler  with  the  severest  language, 
and  even  now  the  nation  at  large  call  him  "  Bottled-up-Butler."  But  the  opinions 
of  intelligent  officers  who  fought  in  the  campaign,  and  who  judged  it  impartially 
from  a  military  point  of  view,  as  well  as  the  facts,  will  rather  lay  the  fault  at  the 
door  of  his  corps  commanders,  Generals  Gillmore  and  Smith.  They  did  not  seem 
to  comprehend  what  was  to  be  done,  and  then  failed  to  cooperate  in  what  at 
tempts  they  did  make. 

But  with  all  this  and  much  more  that  might  be  written  in  excuse  for 
Butler  and  his  futile  efforts  south  of  the  James,  the  fact  still  remains  that 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  189 

he  was  by  no  means  blameless.  Knowing,  as  he  did,  the  prejudice  exist 
ing  among  nearly  all  the  regular  army  officers  against  civilian  volunteers 
holding  important  commands,  and  how  sensitively  adverse  they  were  to 
being  made  subordinate  thereto,  he  could  not  otherwise  than  have  plainly 
seen  and  sorely  felt  afterward,  as  he  ought  to  have  known  at  the  time, 
that  some  of  his  acts  and  words  toward  his  two  highest  officers  were,  to 
say  the  least,  very  injudicious. 

Most  prominent  and  damaging  to  himself  of  all,  was  his  not  very  re 
spectful  and  very  unwise  reply  by  letter  to  some  written  suggestions  sub 
mitted  by  them  for  his  consideration  on  the  night  after  the  engagement  at 
Swift  Creek.  In  the  absence  of  any  plan  of  operations,  that  they  claimed 
to  know  of,  kk  further  than  to  cut  the  Petersburg  and  Richmond  railroad," 
thev  had  suggested  to  Butler  the  propriety  of  crossing  the  Appomatox 
river,  on  the  next  day,  and  cutting  all  the  roads  that  came  into  Peters 
burg  on  that  side,  as  the  quickest  and  easiest  way  of  capturing  the  city 
itself.  This,  though  respectfully  recommended  over  their  joint  official 
signatures,  instead  of  being  kindly  and  gratefully  received,  was  haugh 
tily  rejected  and  ignored  ;  and  they  received  a  sting  of  insult  as  well  as 
injury,  by  being  accused,  in  the  same  letter,  of  "vacillation"  and  ''in 
firmity  of  purpose." 

In  the  rejoinders  that  both  Smith  and  Gill  more  made  to  this  almost  abu 
sive  reply  to  their  well  meant  suggestions,  the  latter  seems  to  take  no 
offense,  but  the  former,  after  referring  at  some  length  to  the  facts  and 
situation,  uses  the  following  significant  language  : 

I  have  made  this  long  explanation  for  peculiar  and  private  reasons,  and  can 
only  say  in  conclusion,  that  as  I  have  never  before  been  accused  of  infirmity  of 
purpose,  I  shall  not  take  the  charge  as  seriously  affecting  my  military  reputation. 

Here  was  the  keen  edge  of  a  highly  tempered  blade  dangerously 
touched.  It  would  have  been  better  for  General  Butler  to  have  turned  it 
against  the  foe  instead  of  himself.  He  had  unwittingly  provoked  the  an 
ger  of  one  who  could  neither  forget  nor  forgive.  After  this  he  tried  both 
coaxing  and  threatening,  but  to  no  purpose,  for  Smith  did  about  as  he 
pleased.  Butler  soon  saw  his  mistake,  and  must  have  bitterly  deplored 
it,  for  none  could  better  realize  than  he,  that  it  not  only  made  an  enemy 
of  his  ablest  general  whose  friendship  he  so  badly  needed,  and  lost  to  him 
Petersburg,  when  almost  within  his  grasp,  but  it  was  the  beginning  of 
that  unfortunate  and  humiliating  end,  first  of  his  campaign,  that  promised 
so  much  and  effected  so  little,  and  finally  of  himself  as  military  com 
mander. 

None,  we  think,  conversant  with  General  Butler's  military  history  of 
1864,  will  seriously  question  the  truth  of  the  assertion,  that  while  his  fail 
ure  at  Fort  Fisher  was  the  ostensible  occasion,  it  was  by  no  means  the 
chief  reason  of  his  removal  from  command  in  the  field  and  retirement  to 


190  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

private  life.     The  real  cause  lay  much  further  back,  and  General  Smith, 
as  it  appears,  had  no  little  to  do  in  preestablishing  it. 

So  much  has  been  written  in  reference  to  General  Butler  and  his  corps 
commanders  that  the  readers  of  this  history  —  especially  the  survivors  of 
the  Twelfth  and  the  descendants  of  them  and  their  dead  comrades  —  may 
know,  or  take  pains  to  more  fully  inform  themselves,  why  the  Army  of 
the  James,  numbering  over  thirty  thousand  men,  did  so  little  toward  put 
ting  down  the  Great  Rebellion  of  1861. 

While,  as  we  have  seen,  Butler  was  not  all  to  blame,  as  the  rank  and 
file  and  most  of  the  officers  of  his  army  (ignorantly  believing  what  his  next 
ranking  generals  were  only  too  glad  to  have  them)  used  to  think,  yet  it 
must  be  admitted  that  he  was  not  "  the  right  man  in  the  right  place,"  and 
that  Grant  himself  was  some  to  blame  for  ever  having  put  him  there  with 
such  a  man  as  General  Smith. 

In  explanation  and  verification  of  the  author's  statements  in  relation  to 
the  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff,  and  especially  to  those  relating  to  the  effect 
iveness  of  the  telegraph  wire  as  a  line  of  defense,  and  the  struggle  for  the 
guns  upon  the  turnpike,  the  following  extracts  and  quotations  from  official 
reports  of  generals  and  commanding  officers  upon  both  sides,  will  be 
found  both  serviceable  and  interesting.  As  bearing  upon  the  precarious 
situation  of  Butler's  army,  alluded  to  at  the  commencement  of  this  chap 
ter,  is  the  following  from  General  Smith  :  * 

On  the  morning  of  the  i5th,  my  position  gave  cause  for  anxiety.  On  my  right, 
extending  to  the  river  and  up  to  Drury's  Bluff,  was  an  open,  undulating  country 
more  than  a  mile  in  width,  and  offering  every  facility  for  the  movement  of  a  col 
umn  on  our  right  and  rear.  This  was  covered  by  one  hundred  and  fifty  mounted 
men  of  the  colored  cavalry.  My  troops  were  all  in  one  thin  line,  without  re 
serves.  *  *  *  * 

On  reporting  my  weak  and  exposed  condition  to  General  Butler,  I  was  informed 
that  three  regiments  were  at  the  Half- Way  House  which  could  be  used  as  a  re 
serve. 

During  the  day  I  had  instructed  Generals  Brooks  and  Weitzel  to  gather  tele 
graph  wire  from  the  turnpike  road,  and  stretch  it  among  the  stumps  in  their 
front. 

Here  reference  is  made  to  a  foot-note,  which  gives  the  origin  of  the 
wire-line  idea  and  the  reason,  as  given  by  Smith,  why  it  was  not  stretched 
in  front  of  Heckman's  brigade.  As  there  has  been  much  dispute  about 
both  of  these  subjects,  the  note  is  here  given  in  full  : 

In  1883  General  Butler  claimed  the  credit  for  the  use  of  the  wire,  and 
intimated  that  in  Heckman's  case  his  order  in  reference  to  it  was  not  carried  out. 
The  fact  is,  there  was  not  wire  enough  to  go  round.  Brooks  and  one  brigade  of 
Weitzel  were  so  near  the  enemy  that  I  was  fearful  they  might  be  run  over. 
Heckman  was  not  in  such  danger  of  a  sudden  rush,  and  so  the  wire  was  used  in 
the  direct  front  in  contact  with  the  enemy. 

*  Century  Company's  War  Books,  Vol.  IV,  pagx>  '210. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  191 

General  Butler  in  his  autobiography  ridicules  the  lack  of  wire  state 
ment  and  remarks:  "  How  that  can  be  I  do  not  understand,  for  there 
was  nine  miles  of  wire  to  be  had  for  the  taking  and  the  time  in  which  to 
do  it  was  more  than  ample." 

He  therefore  expresses  his  surprise  and  regret  that  Heckman's  front, 
"where  there  was  almost  a  necessity  for  a  double  line  of  wire,"  was  left 
entirely  exposed,  and  says  it  was  "  for  some  reason  never  yet  satisfac 
torily  explained." 

But  whatever  the  reason,  accidental  or  intentional  — and  it  sometimes 
seems  that  it  must  have  been  the  latter  —  one  thing  is  certain,  that  there 
was  no  lack  of  wire  when  it  was  procured  for  one  regiment;  and  from 
the  fact  that  none  had  then  been  taken  down  near  where  the  line  crossed 
the  turnpike,  it  may  reasonably  be  inferred  that  the  Twelfth  was  the  first 
regiment  to  use  it. 

But  who  first  thought  of  the  idea  is  quite  as  much  a  mystery  as  why 
Heckman  did  not  have  the  benefit  of  it.  General  Butler  says  that  Gen 
eral  Smith  ordered  it,  "at  the  suggestion  of  General  Weitzel,"  and 
Weitzel  says  he  ordered  it  "  at  the  suggestion  of  the  major-general  com 
manding  the  corps,"  who  was  General  Smith  ;  and  Smith,  as  we  have 
seen,  while  he  corroborates  Weitzel  —  making  two  to  one  against  Butler 
—  does  not  denv  but  some  one  suggested  it  to  him,  although  he  leaves  it 
to  be  understood  that  he  was  the  originator ;  and,  although  there  have 
been  many  claimants  for  the  honor,  including  all  grades  of  rank  from 
major-general  to  a  private,  the  weight  of  evidence,  so  far  as  it  is  compe 
tent  or  worth  considering,  is  heavily  in  favor  of  General  Smith,  into 
whose  prolific  mind  the  happy  thought  probably  first  entered. 

But  whoever  it  was  that  first  thought  of  making  a  Yankee  skirmish 
line  out  of  a  telegraph  wire,  the  line,  wherever  formed,  proved  a  most 
effective  one.  Generals  Brooks  and  Weitzel  reported,  says  their  corps 
commander,  "  that  not  a  man  was  driven  from  their  lines  in  front,  and 
that  the  enemy,  in  falling  over  the  telegraph  wire,  were  slaughtered  like 
partridges." 

General  Weitzel,  after  referring  in  his  report  of  May  22  to  the  crush 
ing  of  Heckman's  brigade,  continues  : 

The  other  seven  regiments  of  my  line  did  not  move  until  after  they  had  twice 
repulsed  the  enemy  with  terrible  slaughter  —  they  being  piled  in  heaps  over  the 
telegraph  wire  —  when  we  were  ordered  back. 

In  his  supplementary  report  of  the  29th  he  adds  : 

I  have  just  received  full  files  of  Richmond  papers,  from  the  i6th  to  the  28th. 
The  force  that  attacked  my  division  was  six  brigades  of  infantry,  one  unattached 
regiment  of  infantry,  and  three  batteries  of  artillery,  all  under  the  command  of 
Major-General  Ransom.  His  entire  loss  was  near  three  thousand  by  official  lists. 
They  have  about  five  hundred  of  my  own  men  prisoners.  General  Heckman, 
who  was  captured  in  the  fight,  sends  word  that  Gillmore  could  easily  have  gone 


192  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

in.      They  speak  of  the  wire  as  a  devilish  contrivance,  which  none  but  a  Yankee 
could  devise. 

To  oppose  this  force  of  six  brigades  and  one  regiment  General  Weitzel 
had  but  two  brigades  and  three  regiments,  making  about  two  to  one 
against  him,  assuming  that  the  brigades  and  regiments  were  about  the 
same  size,  but  it  is  probable  that  the  disproportion  in  men  and  muskets 
was  not  so  great. 

Captain  Ashby,  commanding  Battery  E,  Third  New  York  Artillery, 
whose  four  twenty-pound  Parrott  guns  were  planted  on  the  turnpike 
reports  that  — 

Shortly  after  resuming  my  position  on  Monday  morning,  the  i6th,  the  enemy 
opened  upon  me  with  a  heavy  fire  of  artillery.  I  immediately  replied  with  all 
my  guns.  Under  cover  of  this  fire  and  a  heavy  fog,  a  large  force  of  the  enemy 
advanced  up  the  road  and  charged  on  the  battery.  At  the  same  time  their 
artillery  ceased  firing,  and  changing  the  direction  of  my  pieces,  I  ordered  them 
to  be  charged  with  canister,  which  was  poured  into  the  columns  of  the  enemy. 
As  they  advanced  the  first  charge  was  repulsed,  but  they  only  retired  behind  the 
line  of  breastworks,  from  which  they  poured  continuous  volleys  of  musketry. 
The  fog  and  smoke  were  so  dense  that  they  could  not  be  seen,  and  their  exact 
position  was  doubtful.  Very  soon  they  charged  again.  As  long  as  the  canister 
held  out  I  used  it,  and  when  it  gave  out  ordered  percussion  shells  to  be  used. 
At  this  time  I  was  struck  in  the  head  by  part  of  a  case-shot  and  carried  to  the 
rear.  *  *  *  *  Only  one  gun  was  saved. 

[This   was   the   gun   that  was  hauled  to  the  rear  by  the  men  of  the 

Twelfth.] 

Col.  R.  H.  Keeble,  commanding  the  Seventeenth  and  Twenty-third 
Tennessee  regiments,  in  his  report  to  Gen.  Bushrod  R.  Johnson,  brigade 
commander,  refers  to  the  capturing  of  the  guns  on  the  turnpike,  just  to 
the  left  of  the  Twelfth,  and  the  telegraph  wire,  as  follows  : 

When  the  battle  on  the  i6th  commenced,  my  orders  from  General  Johnson 
were  to  move  down  the  turnpike  by  the  left  flank  until  I  reached  the  outer  line  of 
fortifications,  when  I  would  halt,  front,  and  move  forward  in  connection  with' 
General  Ransom's  division.  Long  before  I  reached  the  outer  line  of  intrench- 
ments  I  discovered  that  the  enemy  were  still  occupying  our  works  with  a  battery 
of  seven  pieces  (Parrott  guns)  planted  in  the  centre  of  the  turnpike,  a  little 
beyond  the  fortifications. 

We,  however,  continued  to  move  forward  under  a  perfect  shower  of  grape, 
canister,  and  minie-balls,  which  swept  up  the  turnpike.  Reaching  the  trenches, 
a  line  was  immediately  formed,  confronting  the  enemy,  and  here  commenced  and 
raged  for  two  hours,  or  two  and  a  half,  one  of  the  most  desperate  actions  in 
which  I  have  ever  been  engaged.  The  enemy  were  in  strong  force  under  our 
trenches,  and  his  battery,  above  alluded  to,  played  upon  us  most  furiously. 

He  here  claims  for  his.  men  the  chief  credit  for  "  silencing  and  captur 
ing  their  (our)  battery  of  seven  pieces,  one  of  which  was  brought  to  the 
rear  bv  a  detail  from  mv  own  regiment." 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  193 

While  it  is  evident  that  his  claims  are  somewhat  too  extravagant  to  be 
readily  granted,  as  shown  by  his  count  of  the  guns  captured  and  his  own 
reference  to  a  counter  claim  of  "some  other  brigade  that  passed  over  the 
ground"  (  ?),  still  it  is  probable,  from  time  and  incidents  referred  to,  that 
his  command  of  Tennesseeans  —  than  whom  no  better  marksman  could 
have  been  found  in  the  whole  rebel  army  upon  the  field  —  did  more,  by 
picking  off  the  gunners  with  their  brave  and  persistent  close-ground  skir 
mishers,  toward  capturing  the  battery  referred  to,  than  Hoke's  whole 
division  of  four  brigades,  one  regiment,  and  three  batteries,  had  or  could 
have  done  by  charging  upon  our  supporting  lines. 

Colonel  Keeble,  continuing  his  report,  says  : 

The  enemy,  to  impede  our  progress  and  advance  upon  them,  had  obstructed 
the  road  with  telegraph  wire  in  order  to  trip  up  the  men.  The  trick  (emphati 
cally  a  Yankee  one)  was,  however,  soon  discovered  and  surmounted.  While  the 
fire  was  thickest  and  hottest,  some  stragglers  from  another  command,  who  had 
sought  refuge  in  a  ditch  at  our  rear,  raised  a  shirt  in  lieu  of  a  white  flag.  This 
gave  the  enemy  great  encouragement,  but  on  being  discovered  by  the  men  of  my 
regiment,  every  one  called  out:  "  Tear  it  doivn  ;  tear  it  do~.cn!" 

Lieutenant  Waggoner,  of  my  regiment,  immediately  rushed  to  the  recreant  and 
pulled  it  down,  being  wounded  in  the  attempt. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  he  refers  to  his  command  as  a  "  regiment,"  in 
stead  of  a  battalion,  and  speaks  of  "  obstructing  the  road  "  with  the  wire, 
thinking,  evidently,  when  he  wrote,  that  the  wire  had  only  been  stretched 
in  front  of  the  batteries  to  protect  them  from  being  captured  by  a  charge. 

The  signal  of  surrender  that  he  refers  to  explains,  if  he  is  correct,  why  it 
was  raised,  and  gives  a  far  different  reason  than  that  supposed  by  some 
of  the  Union  troops  who  saw  it.  It  had  long  been  believed  by  them  that 
it  was  but  a  ruse  of  the  rebels,  attempting,  as  they  had  done  before,  to 
gain  by  strategem  what  they  could  not  easily  accomplish  by  honorable 
fighting. 

But  the  most  amusing  part  of  the  colonel's  report  —  as  it  must  appear 
to  every  ex-Federal  soldier  then  and  there  present  —  is  the  quick  and 
easy  way  his  men  seem  to  have  "  discovered  and  surmounted"  the  Yan 
kee  wire  trick  to  trip  them  up.  That  they  soon  discovered  and  at  the 
same  instant  surmounted  it — giving  to  the  latter  word  its  derivative 
meaning  —  will  not  be  seriously  questioned  ;  for,  although  something,  in 
effect,  like  a  mountain  in  their  way,  they  very  quickly  went  over  and 
about  their  length  beyond  it. 

They  "  surmounted  "  this  novel  trick  of  war  about  as  successfully  as  a 
green  boy  rider  would  the  old  trick  of  a  vicious  broncho  that  had  learned 
to  "buck"  and  kick  at  the  same  time  —  mount  upon  the  animal's  back, 
and  go  over  his  head  in  one  time  and  two  motions. 

Radically  defined,  then,  according  to  its  compound  derivation  from  the 
Latin  original,  the  word  surmounted  was  very  aptly  applied;  but  quite  a 


194  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

different  meaning  was  clearly  intended,  though  not  so  truthful,  for  the 
wire  was  in  no  place  cut,  broken,  or  passed  for  any  distance  until  after 
our  troops  had  fallen  back. 

Of  the  brave  and  timely  action  of  Captain  Bedee  and  Lieutenant  San 
ders,  and  some  of  the  men  of  Companies  C  and  G,  in  manning  one  of 
the  deserted  guns  on  the  turnpike  that  belonged  to  Belger's  battery,  and 
in  trying  to  save  one  of  the  heavier  twenty-pounders  of  Ashby's  battery, 
General  Weitzel,  commanding  the  division,  takes  notice  in  his  report  by 
copying  from  General  Wistar's,  as  follows  : 

Capt.  Edwin  E.  Bedee  and  Lieut.  James  W.  Sanders,  both  of  the  Twelfth  New 
Hampshire  Volunteers,  with  some  men  from  the  same  regiment,  for  some  time 
loaded  and  fired  one  of  the  guns  abandoned  by  Battery  F,  First  Rhode  Island 
Artillery.  They  report  one  of  the  officers  of  the  battery  as  lying  concealed  in  a 
ditch  during  the  time.  The  same  officers  limbered  up  a  twenty-pound  Parrott  gun 
of  Ashby's  battery,  deserted  by  its  gunners,  and  moved  it  by  hand  some  distance 
to  the  rear  on  the  turnpike,  where  they  turned  it  over  to  some  men  of  the  battery 
with  instructions  to  take  it  to  the  rear,  which  was  neglected,  and  the  piece  aban 
doned  without  spiking.  Captain  Barker,  commanding  the  Twelfth  New  Hamp 
shire  Volunteers,  had  previously  thrown  forward  sharpshooters,  who  dispersed 
and  drove  away  the  enemy's  sharpshooters  who  attacked  these  guns. 

In  a  letter  published  in  the  "  Boston  Record,"  Captain  Barker,  in  refer 
ring  to  this  laudable  effort  of  some  of  his  officers  and  men  to  have  artillery 
practice  on  the  field  of  battle,  relates  the  following  amusing  incident  and 
the  official  notice  of  the  valiant  act  to  which  it  relates  : 

While  directing  the  management  of  one  of  the  abandoned  field-pieces,  Cap 
tain  Bedee,  unfamiliar  with  that  branch  of  the  service  and  anxious  to  have  it 
worked  as  rapidly  as  possible,  was  greatly  surprised  and  not  a  little  annoyed  at 
its  recoiling  so  far  every  time  it  was  fired  ;  and,  with  an  expression  more  em 
phatic  than  pious,  ordered  it  placed  against  a  stump  to  prevent  it  from  backing 
out  of  the  fight.  He  was  reminded  by  one  of  his  men,  who  knew  more  about 
the  science  of  gunnery  than  he  did,  that  if  he  wanted  to  disable  the  gun,  that 
would  be  about  the  quickest  way  to  do  it. 

For  their  distinguished  services  at  the  battery  on  that  day,  both  Captain  Bedee 
and  Lieutenant  Sanders  were  complimented  in  general  orders. 

Another  incident  mentioned  in  the  same  letter,  and  referring  to  the 
same  officer  we  will  here  give. 

While  the  regiment  was  falling  back  from  the  front  line,  that  it  had  so 
easily  held,  General  Butler,  with  his  full  staff'  and  several  orderlies,  came 
riding  along,  and,  either  for  the  joke  of  it  or  to  make  a  show  of  his  self- 
composure,  spoke  to  the  men  and  said  :  "  Oh,  don't  be  frightened;  don't 
be  frightened,  boys  !  " 

Without  waiting  to  hear  any  more  which  the  general  was  seemingly 
intending  to  say,  Captain  Bedee,  who  had  already  heard  enough  of  that 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  195 

kind  of  talk,  in  the  ill-tempered  mood  that  he  was  in,  for  retreating,  as  he 
believed,  without  cause,  quickly  replied  : 

"Who  in  h — 1,  sir,  is  frightened?  I  don't  know  of  anybody,  unless 
it's  some  of  our  commanding  generals." 

"  What  are  you  falling  back  for,  then?" 

"  Under  orders,  sir,  of  course  ;  and  if  you  did  not  give  them,  you  had 
better  find  out  who  did." 

General  Butler  probably  thought  so,  too,  for  he  put  spurs  to  his  horse 
and  rode  on. 

Supplementary  to  the  letter  above  referred  to,  which  would  be  given 
here  in  full  but  for  repetition  —  its  most  essential  part  having  been  already 
written  —  we  find  these  lines  : 

Recent  conversation  with  a  Confederate  officer  who  participated  in  the  charge 
on  our  front  at  the  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff",  fully  corroborates  my  estimate  of  the 
situation,  and  his  admission  as  to  the  damage  inflicted  to  their  charging  column 
even  exceeds  my  own  conclusions;  but,  he  added,  "We  got  even  with  you  at 
Cold  Harbor." 

On  the  26th  of  May  occurred  the  wasp-nest  affair  at  Port  Walthall. 
General  Wistar's  brigade  was  called  up  about  3  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
and  started  out  to  make  a  reconnoissance  in  force  toward  Petersburg,  the 
real  object  of  which,  as  supposed,  was  to  ascertain  the  position  and 
strength  of  the  enemy  in  that  direction,  General  Butler,  as  it  seems,  hav 
ing  decided  to  make  one  more  effort  to  capture  that  place.  Crossing  a 
branch  of  the  Appomatox,  a  skirmish  line  was  sent  out,  and  the  Twelfth 
advanced  in  line  of  battle,  Captain  Barker  thinking  it  time  enough  to  halt 
and  load  when  the  skirmish  line  should  find  the  enemy.  While  thus 
moving  carelessly  forward  there  came,  all  at  once  and  with  startling 
suddenness,  a  shower  of  hissing  minie-balls,  followed  by  the  roar  of 
musketry.  Company  B,  the  right  company  of  the  regiment,  had  just 
reached  the  crest  of  a  little  hill,  within  plain  view  and. close  range  of  the 
enemy,  when  the  volley  struck  them.  Every  man  of  the  company  went 
down,  and  all  killed  or  wounded  as  then  supposed  by  their  commander, 
judging  from  the  way  the  bullets  pinged  the  air  around  his  own  head. 
Seeing  that  some  of  the  men  were  beginning  to  get  up,  he  ordered  them 
to  lie  flat,  and  was  just  getting  down  himself  wrhen  a  German  recruit  by 
the  name  of  Lindner,  who  was  mortally  wounded,  exclaimed:  "Oh! 
For  God's  sake,  help  me,  Lieutenant!"  That  dying  cry  —  once  heard, 
never  forgotten  —  pierced  the  heart  of  the  officer,  and  for  once  he  cared 
no  more  for  rebel  bullets  than  for  drops  of  rain.  To  stand  erect,  where 
perhaps  a  hundred  men  or  more  were  watching  for  the  show  of  a  head 
as  a  target  for  their  rifles,  was,  to  say  the  least,  not  a  very  enviable  atti 
tude  to  aspire  to ;  but  with  scarcely  a  thought  or  care  for  anything  but 
the  dying  man,  he  jumps  to  his  feet,  and  with  the  air  hot  around  his  head 
by  friction  from  flying  lead,  he  starts  for  and  reaches  him  untouched. 


196  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

No  sooner  do  the  rebels  see,  as  they  plainly  could,  what  the  officer  was 
doing,  than  their  firing  stopped  almost  as  suddenly  as  it  commenced  : 
and  the  officer,  after  easing  the  position,  and  comforting,  as  best  he  could, 
the  wounded  men  (another  recruit  by  the  name  of  Furguson  being  also 
dangerously  wounded)  went  back  over  the  brow  of  the  hill,  hallooed  to 
Captain  Barker,  in  command  of  the  regiment,  to  send  up  the  stretcher 
bearers,  they  having  fallen  back  out  of  range  at  the  first  volley.  It  was 
five  or  ten  minutes  before  they  brought  up  the  stretchers,  upon  which  the 
suffering  and  helpless  men  were  placed  and  borne  away  to  an  ambulance. 

During  all  this  time,  except  when  over  the  brow  of  the  hill  after  the 
stretchers,  the  lieutenant  was  standing  or  walking  about  within  speaking 
distance  of  the  enemy  :  but  not  another  shot  was  fired  at  him,  who  now 
laid  down  with  his  men  and  awaited  the  order,  that  soon  came,  to  fall 
back.  Knowing  that  the  first  sign  of  any  movement  would  bring  upon 
his  men  another  shower  of  lead,  he  ordered  them  to  imitate  the  crawfish 
in  manner  as  well  as  direction  of  going,  and  crawl  backward  until  over 
the  crest  of  the  hill  and  below  the  line  of  the  enemy's  fire. 

The  question  will  naturally  arise,  where  was  the  skirmish  line?  As  it 
is  not  well  for  the  historian  to  write  more  than  he  knows,  however 
strongly,  at  times,  he  may  be  tempted,  the  answer  must  be,  that  he  has 
never  yet  found  out.  It  was  then  said  that  the  regiment  had  run  over  it, 
while  the  men  were  hiding  in  the  bushes ;  but  it  is  more  probable  that 
none  was  ever  sent  forward.  The  only  casualties  were  the  two  before 
mentioned,  and  two  or  three  more  slightly  wounded,  all  in  Company  B. 
Had  the  waiting  enemy  not  been  so  quick  to  act,  but  withheld  his  fire 
until  other  companies  had  come  into  range,  the  loss  must  have  been 
many  times  greater.  Having  found  the  enemy  sooner  than  expected,  the 
search  then  and  there  ended,  and  before  dark  the  regiment  was  again 
back  behind  the  breastworks. 

While  the  men  of  Company  B,  as  well  as  the  rest  of  the  regiment,  were 
lying  flat  on  the  ground  upon  the  hill  above  referred  to,  a  lone  horseman 
was  seen  riding  up  a  narrow  ravine  on  the  right  and  directly  toward  the 
position  of  the  enemy.  He  would  have  been  quickly  warned  of  his 
danger  and  motioned  back  by  the  observers,  but  they  were  powerless  to 
do  so.  On  he  rode,  seemingly  unconscious  of  all  danger,  each  step  of 
his  horse  conveying  him  nearer  to  the  head  of  the  ravine,  where  he  could 
not  escape  being  seen  and  shot  at  by  the  vigilant  foe  but  a  short  distance 
beyond.  He  was  watched,  of  course,  with  constantly  increasing  fears 
for  his  safety  as  he  advanced  toward  the  danger  line.  A  moment  more 
and  both  rider  and  horse  go  down,  just  as  two  or  three  almost  simulta 
neous  musket  reports  came  from  the  rebel  line.  Both  man  and  beast  are 
supposed  to  be  killed  or  severly  wounded,  but  no  —  only  one,  and  that 
the  horse,  has  been  disabled,  for  the  rider,  so  quickly  dismounted,  is 
seen  to  rise  to  his  feet,  and  after  first  looking  at  his  horse  and  then 
toward  the  enemy,  who  could  no  longer  see  him,  drew  his  revolver,  put 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  197 

an  end  to  the  suffering  of  his  struggling  mute  companion,  and  with  a  sad 
good  bye,  doubtless  felt  in  his  heart  if  not  expressed  by  his  lips,  turned 
back  down  the  ravine,  and  was  soon  lost  to  view. 

This  little  incident,  while  it  may  not  seem  to  an  old  soldier  worth  the 
time  and  ink  required  to  write  it,  is  given  here  as  but  one  of  the  many 
similar  ones  that  might  be  related  as  interestingly  illustrative  of  army 
life  to  those  who  then  were  but  children,  or  had  not  been  born. 

The  camp  of  the  Twelfth  at  this  time  was  in  a  pleasant  pine  grove  that 
so  nicely  shaded  the  men  from  the  rays  of  the  sun,  that  when,  on  the 
following  day,  orders  came  to  pack  up  and  move  at  once  in  heavy  march 
ing  order,  there  was  much  wishing  that  war  was  something  more  than 
narrow  chances  and  sudden  changes. 

General  Butler,  having  now  failed  to  capture  or  assist  in  capturing 
Richmond,  and  feeling  sore  at  his  discomforture  at  Drury's  Bluff  decided 
to  make  another  move  against  Petersburg,  hoping  by  taking  advantage  of 
the  departure  of  rebel  troops  that  were  being  sent  to  reinforce  Lee  against 
Grant,  he  would  capture  the  city  and  thus  retrieve  himself  for  all  the  public 
would  naturally  blame  him  for  since  he  took  command  of  the  army. 

But  while  he  was  diligently  watching  for  his  opportunity  and  studiously 
planning  how  best  to  take  advantage  of  it,  his  rising  hopes  of  effecting  his 
ardently  desired  purpose  were  all  nipped  in  the  bud  by  Grant's  unex 
pected  call  for  sixteen  thousand  of  his  best  troops  as  will  be  seen  in  the 
following  chapter. 

It  certainly  did  seem  as  if  the  very  fates  were  against  him. 


CHAPTER  xi. 

COLD  HARBOR. 

Ma}-  28,  1864,  in  compliance  with  orders  received  through  General 
Halleck  from  Lieutenant-General  Grant,  the  Eighteenth  Corps  marched 
to  City  Point,  where,  reinforced  by  Ames's  and  Devens's  divisions  of  the 
Tenth  Corps,  it  embarked  the  next  morning  for  White  House  Landing, 
on  the  Pamunkey  river,  for  the  purpose  of  joining  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  that  was  then  crossing  the  Pamunkey  near  Hanovertown. 
The  whole  force  consisted  of  sixteen  thousand  infantry,  sixteen  pieces  of 
artillery,  and  a  detachment  of  about  one  hundred  cavalry,  all  under  the 
command  of  the  Eighteenth  Corps  commander,  Gen.  W.  F.  Smith. 

About  2  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  the  27th  the  Twelfth  Regiment 
broke  camp  and  marched  about  four  miles  to  Point  of  Rocks,  where  it 
crossed  the  Appomattox  about  dark,  and  arrived  at  City  Point  between 
9  and  10  o'clock  that  night.  It  rained  hard  during  the  night,  and  this, 
with  deep  mud  and  deeper  darkness,  made  the  march  anything  but 
pleasant,  and  the  night's  bivouac  was  even  more  disagreeable  than  the 
march. 

Early  the  next  morning  the  regiment  embarked  on  the  transport 
steamer  "  G.  A.  Deveny,"  and  soon  the  whole  command  was  on  its  way 
down  the  James,  bound  for  some  place  to  the  rank  and  file  unknown. 
But  speculation  was  of  course  rife,  and  conjectures  plenty  as  to  their  desti 
nation  and  the  cause  of  their  leaving.  Some  thought  it  meant  a  change 
of  base  for  the  whole  army  that  had  so  signally  failed  to  accomplish  its 
mission,  and  that  Bermuda  Hundred  and  City  Point  were  to  be  evacuated. 
Others  thought  that  Washington  was  again  threatened  by  another  rebel 
raid,  and  that  the  Eighteenth  Corps  was  on  its  way  to  the  rescue : 
while  others  still  guessed  rightly  and  exclaimed,  "Once  more  for  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  boys  !  We  are  going  up  to  help  Grant  finish  up 
the  job  with  Lee." 

They  little  thought  how  worse  than  useless  their  efforts  to  help  would 
prove,  and  that  they,  instead  of  Lee's  forces,  would  be  the  ones  to  be 
finished  up.  But  among  the  things,  much  thought  and  talked  about,  was 
the  wide  difference  between  what  was  expected  and  what  had  been 
effected  since  they  were  last  afloat  upon  the  same  river,  less  than  a 
month  before.  The  one  was  up,  and  the  other  was  down,  in  more  senses 
than  one. 


New  Ham-pshire   Volunteers.  199 

About  5  P.  M.  the  little  fleet  of  transports  lay  off  Fortress  Monroe,  and, 
after  an  hour  or  two  on  the  bay,  rounded  into  the  mouth  of  the  York  river. 
During  the  night's  voyage  up  the  river  the  men  slept  on  board  the  boat, 
as  best  they  could,  and  the  rising  sun  greeted  them  at  West  Point.  One 
brigade  under  General  Ames,  convoyed  by  one  or  two  gun-boats  com 
manded  by  Captain  Babcock  of  the  United  States  Navy,  had  been  sent 
ahead  to  this  place  to  cover  the  landing  here,  or  at  White  House,  as 
might  become  necessary.  The  tortuous  course  and  frequent  shoal  waters 
of  the  Pamunkey  made  the  passage  up  this  river  difficult  at  times  even 
for  a  mud-scow,  to  say  nothing  about  a  small  fleet  of  barges,  schooners, 
and  steamboats,  many  of  which  \vere  more  or  less  impeded  in  their 
progress.  Some  got  hung  up  on  snags  or  stuck  in  the  mud,  and  had  to 
back  out,  side  off,  lighten  up,  or  be  pulled  along  by  tugs  and  other  boats 
until  they  got  into  deep  water  again.  Yet  nothing  very  dangerous  or 
damaging  occurred,  as  no  torpedo  was  struck,  and  the  soldiers,  not  being 
used  to  either  salt  or  fresh  water  navigation,  were  both  interested  and 
amused  in  the  ways  and  means  employed  to  overcome  all  obstacles  that 
the  river  was  so  well  supplied  with. 

One  incident,  which  was  especially  amusing  to  some  of  the  Twelfth 
boys  who  saw  and  heard,  was  the  way  that  Surgeon  Fowler  got  one  of 
the  hospital  boats  that  he  was  in  charge  of  pulled  out  of  the  mud  in 
which  it  had  stuck,  by  assuming  dictatorial  authority,  and  actually  scar 
ing  the  commander  of  another  boat,  loaded  with  troops,  to  do  what  he 
had  just  refused  to,  which  \vas  to  heave  to,  throw  a  tow  line,  and  pull 
him  out.  One  would  have  thought,  to  have  seen  the  doctor  straighten 
up  and  to  have  heard  him  talk,  that  he  was  Medical  Director  of  both  the 
armies  of  the  James  and  the  Potomac,  and  that  a  refusal  to  obey  his 
orders  by  any  officer  of  the  army  or  navy,  of  lower  rank  than  a  major- 
general  or  a  commodore,  would  cost  him  his  commission. 

The  brigade  arrived  at  White  House  about  noon,  and  the  Twelfth  dis 
embarked  about  two  hours  later.  The  men  were  glad  to  be  on  shore 
again,  for  it  was  very  hot,  and  they  had  been  very  uncomfortable, 
crowded  together  between  decks,  where  they  were  driven  by  the  stifling 
stench  below  and  the  scorching  rays  of  the  sun  above.  After  landing, 
the  brigade,  now  under  the  command  of  Col.  Griffin  A.  Steadman,  Jr.,* 
moved  a  short  distance  across  and  east  of  the  railroad,  where  it  remained, 
to  the  wonder  of  all  the  troops,  not  only  until  dark,  when  they  feared 
they  would  have  a  hard  night's  march  instead  of  a  quiet  and  refreshing 
sleep,  and  the  next  morning,  when  they  expected  to  march  sure,  but 
until  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day.  This  delay,  though  not 
understood  then,  was  because  the  corps  commander  was  awaiting  his 
ammunition  and  baggage  train,  still  on  transports  and  not  yet  arrived. 
During  the  night  several  more  of  the  substitutes,  thinking  doubtless  that 
they  were  farther  North  than  likely  to  be  again  very  soon,  if  they 

*  Assumed  command  May  18. 


2OO  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

remained  longer  in  the  army,  decided  to  detach  themselves  therefrom  by 
"  leave  of  absence"  of  their  own  granting. 

After  waiting  impatiently  until  3  o'clock,  as  above  stated,  General 
Smith,  who  had  during  the  night  and  morning  received  three  copies  by 
as  many  different  couriers  to  march  to  New  Castle,  concluded  to  wait  no 
longer,  either  for  his  ammunition  or  further  instructions  that  he  had  sent 
for,  and  moved  his  command  forward  as  rapidly  as  possible  on  the  hot 
and  dusty  road  to  that  place.  The  march  was  continued  until  10  o'clock 
that  night,  when  the  Twelfth  bivouacked  with  its  brigade  at  or  near  Cross 
Roads  and  three  miles  from  New  Castle,  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Pamunkey  river.  It  was  fortunate,  on  account  of  the  extreme  heat,  that 
the  march  did  not  commence  sooner  in  the  day,  unless  the  troops  had 
started  at  3  o'clock  in  the  morning  instead  of  that  hour  in  the  afternoon, 
and  thus  saved  in  time  what  they  were  obliged  to  make  up  in  speed. 
The  distance  marched  was  about  fifteen  miles,  but  many  of  the  men, 
judging  from  their  fatigue,  thought  it  nearer  twenty-five. 

The  further  orders  that  General  Smith  had  been  instructed  to  await  at 
this  place  came  at  daylight  the  next  morning,  directing  him  to  proceed  at 
once  to  New  Castle  Ferry,  and  there  place  his  command  between  the 
Fifth  and  Sixth  Corps.  Because  of  the  urgency  of  this  order  the  troops, 
most  of  them,  moved  without  breakfast  on  the  morning  of  June  i,  but 
the  Twelfth  and  its  brigade  had  just  time  to  wash  down  a  bite  of  hard 
tack  with  a  sip  of  coffee  before  the  "  fall  in  "  order  came  to  them.  After 
reaching  the  Ferry,  where,  instead  of  finding  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  corps, 
no  troops  were  to  be  seen,  it  was  ascertained  that  there  had  been  a  big 
blunder  by  somebody  in  using  the  words  "  New  Castle"  instead  of  Cold 
Harbor  in  the  last  order  of  march,  and  the  whole  command  had  to 
"right  about"  and  march  back  several  miles  to  where  it  started  from  in 
the  morning,  and  then  set  out  again  on  another  road.  The  mistake  was 
a  bad  as  well  as  a  big  one  for  the  Eighteenth  Corps,  for  it  not  only  lost 
to  the  troops  time  and  distance  enough  to  have  nearly  reached  Cold 
Harbor,  but  obliged  them  to  march  in  the  hottest  part  of  the  day,  and  in 
the  rear  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  which  they  otherwise  would  have  preceded  ; 
and  to  march  behind  a  large  body  of  troops  on  such  a. day  as  that,  is 
something  more  than  the  reader,  unless  a  veteran,  can  fully  understand. 
The  memory  of  that  day's  march  will  exist  so  long  as  any  man,  who  was 
in  it,  continues  to  live.  During  the  middle  of  the  day  the  temperature, 
even  in  the  shade,  must  have  been  close  up  to,  if  not  above,  blood  heat; 
and  following  much  of  the  time,  as  the  troops  had  to,  directly  in  the  rear 
of  the  baggage  train  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  the  dust  was  worse,  if  possible, 
than  the  heat. 

Captain  Barker  wrote  on  the  2d  : 

Marched  and  countermarched  nearly  all  day,  yesterday,  to  get  here  (Cold 
Harbor),  and  through  the  densest  clouds  of  dust  that  I  ever  saw.  I  could  not 
see  the  length  of  a  single  company. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  201 

General  Smith  says  : 

The  day  was  intensely  hot,  the  dust  stifling,  and  the  progress  slow,  as  the  head 
of  the  column  was  behind  the  trains  of  the  Sixth  Corps.  The  ranks  were  con 
sequently  much  thinned  by  the  falling  out  of  exhausted  men. 

Doctor  Sanborn,  of  the  Twelfth,  reports  that  the  surgeons  were  kept 
busy  in  attending  and  passing  to  the  rear  "the  poor  fellows  who,  over 
come  by  heat,  were  constantly  falling  out,  some  of  whom  dropped  down 
and  died  from  sunstroke." 

It  was  nearly  4  o'clock  before  the  corps  arrived  at  Cold  Harbor  and 
joined  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  a  part  of  which  was  already 
engaged  with  the  enemy.  In  a  short  time  Brooks's  and  Devens's 
divisions  advanced  and  became  heavily  engaged  with  the  intrenched 
forces  in  their  front,  forcing  them  back  into  ulterior  and  stronger  lines  of 
defense.  Martindale's  division  *  was  held  in  reserve  on  the  right,  but  the 
Second  Brigade  was  deployed,  and  the  Twelfth  anxiously  waited,  not  to 
be  led  forward  as  they  expected  to  be,  but  for  some  change  of  position 
that  would  cover  them  from  the  severe  fire  of  the  rebel  batteries  to  which 
they  were  exposed.  Twenty  solid  shot  or  shells,  by  actual  count,  passed 
between  the  Twelfth  and  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  New  York, 
beside  many  others  that  passed  over  or  fell  short ;  yet  no  one  of  either 
regiment,  so  far  as  known,  was  injured.  It  seemed  as  if  the  enemy  was 
practicing  to  see  how  near  he  could  come  and  not  hit  anybody.  A  little 
later  the  brigade  advanced  a  short  distance  into  the  woods,  where  it 
remained  all  night,  the  men  sleeping  on  their  arms,  ready  to  resist  an 
attack  that  might  be  made  upon  them  at  any  moment. 

The  next  morning  the  Twelfth  threw  up  an  intrenchment  and  lay  be 
hind  it  all  day,  except  fifty  men  who  were  sent  out  under  Captain  Fernal 
as  skirmishers  some  two  hundred  yards  in  advance  of  the  regiment,  and 
about  twice  as  far  from  the  enemy.  Some  were  wounded,  but  none 
killed. 

There  was  heavy  firing  at  times  during  the  day  upon  the  left,  and  a 
constant  sputtering  of  the  skirmishers  and  sharpshooters  all  along  the 
line.  About  2  o'clock  p.  M.  there  was  a  heavy  outburst  of  artillery  so 
near  to  the  Twelfth  that  the  men  began  to  think  that  they  would  soon  be 
called  upon  to  advance;  but  it  was  a  false,  if  not  foolish,  alarm,  so  far 
as  they  were  concerned,  which  soon  subsided  with  the  noise  that  caused  it. 
But  there  were  other  reasons  than  continuous  powder  explosions  along  the 
lines  to  keep  the  men  apprehensively  on  the  alert,  for  the  air  was  full  of 
rumors  of  expected  or  intended  charges  from  one  side  or  the  other,  and 
not  all  unfounded  either  ;  for  during  the  day  and  night  previous  there 
had  been  as  many  as  three  orders  received  by  General  Smith  and  other 
corps  commanders  to  prepare  to  attack  at  a  certain  hour,  and  each  one 
countermanded  except  the  last,  which  was  to  attack  at  4.30  the  next 

*  Commanded  until  May  20  by  General  Weitzel. 


202  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

morning.  How  unfortunate  for  General  Grant  and  his  army  that  this 
order  was  not  also  countermanded  ! 

Toward  night  there  was  quite  a  shower,  which  was  most  gratefully 
welcomed,  and  would  have  been  received  as  a  perfect  "Godsend"  had  it 
come  a  day  or  two  before,  when  the  men  on  the  march  were  suffering  so 
severly  from  heat  and  dust. 

Another  night  had  now  come,  and  a  solemn  one  indeed  it  would  have 
been  to  many  thousand  brave  men  could  they  have  known  that  it  was  the 
last  one  that  would  ever  come  to  them.  Many,  however,  had  that 
impression  concerning  themselves,  too  strong  and  deep  to  admit  of  sleep, 
and  some  such  there  were  in  the  ranks  of  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire.* 

June  the  3d,  1864,  was  a  terrible  day  of  sacrifice  and  suffering  for  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  It  was  undoubtedly  the  greatest  and  most 
inexcusable  slaughter  of  the  whole  war.  Even  Grant  himself  made 
public  record  of  his  sorrow  for  ever  having  ordered  the  charge  that 
caused  it.  It  was  a  forlorn  hope  for  nearly  the  whole  length  of  the  line, 
and  for  many  brigades  and  divisions  certain  destruction  to  prolong  the 
mad  attempt  to  carry  the  enemy's  works  in  their  front.  It  was  like  a 
person  attempting  to  kick,  with  his  bare  feet,  the  bottom  out  of  an  iron 
kettle  full  of  scalding  hot  water,  the  portion  of  the  foot  and  leg  saved 
depending  mainly  upon  the  depth  of  the  kettle  and  the  instinctive  quick 
ness  of  his  locomotor  muscles. 

Into  just  such  a  seething  caldron  did  the  brave  Colonel  Steadman, 
using  a  ramrod  for  a  sword,  lead  four  regiments  of  his  brigade,  massed 
in  column  by  division  and  headed  by  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire,  in  the 
early  light  of  that  fatal  morn.  In  less  than  ten  minutes  from  the  word 
"Forward,"  there  was  no  brigade  to  be  seen,  and  of  its  leading  regiment 
nearly  one  half  lay  dead  or  disabled  on  the  field,  while  of  the  remaining 
scattered  ones,  two  at  least  out  of  every  ten  were  more  or  less  severely 
wounded. f  Some  of  these  poor  victims  of  a  great  and  lamentable  error 
lay  within  a  few  yards  of  the  enemy's  works,  the  living  not  daring  to  show 
any  signs  of  life  for  fear  that  a  rebel  bullet  would  number  them  with  the 
dead.  Here  they  who  continued  to  survive  were  obliged  to  lie  all  day 
upon  the  burning  sands  and  under  the  scorching  rays  of  the  sun  until 
night  or  death  brought  them  relief.  One  poor  fellow  (we  forbear  to  give 
his  name  because  of  relatives  still  living)  who  had  been  hopelessly  shat 
tered  by  a  shell,  was  seen  to  forever  end  his  sufferings,  that  he  could  no 
longer  endure,  by  deliberately  cutting  his  throat  with  a  jackknife. 

To  give  a  description  of  this  terrible  charge  is  simply  impossible,  and 
few  who  were  in  the  ranks  of  the  Twelfth  will  ever  feel  like  attempting 
it.  To  those  exposed  to  the  full  force  and  fury  of  that  dreadful  storm  of 
lead  and  iron  that  met  the  charging  column,  it  seemed  more  like  a  vol 
canic  blast  than  a  battle,  and  was  about  as  destructive.  The  men  went 
down  in  rows,  just  as  they  marched  in  the  ranks,  and  so  many  at  a  time 

*  See  "Presentiments,"  in  another  chapter.       t  See  table  of  losses. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  203 

that  those  in  rear  of  them  thought  they  were  lying  down,  either  from 
instinct  or  command,  to  avoid  the  fire  that  they  could  no  longer  withstand. 
Sergeant  Piper,  of  Company  B,  says  : 

The  men  bent  down  as  they  pushed  forward,  as  if  trying,  as  they  were,  to 
breast  a  tempest,  and  the  files  of  men  went  down  like  rows  of  blocks  or  bricks 
pushed  over  by  striking  against  each  other. 

Lieutenant  Jewett  describes  the  men  in  his  division  as  falling  "half  a 
platoon  almost  at  a  time,  like  grain  before  the  reaper  or  grass  before  the 
scythe." 

Sergeant  Tuttle,  of  Company  K,  says  : 

I  thought  the  order  was  to  lie  down  and  dropped  myself  among  the  dead,  and 
did  not  discover  my  mistake  until  my  living  comrades  had  advanced  some  little 
distance  beyond  me. 

A.  J.  Farrar,  of  Company  H,  with  many  others,  thought  the  same  thing, 
when,  as  he  expressed  it,  "I  saw  them  all  go  down." 

But  Captain  Barker  in  command  of  the  regiment,  knowing  of  course 
that  no  such  order  had  been  given,  but  supposing  the  men  were  lying 
down  of  their  own  accord  to  avoid  the  withering  blast  of  the  rebel  bat 
teries,  yelled  out  with  angry  vehemence  to  Captain  Bedee,  leading  one  of 
the  divisions,  to  bring  his  men  up  and  forward  into  line,  pointing  at  the 
same  time  with  his  sword  to  several  files  who  had  just  fallen  flat  upon 
their  faces.  The  next  moment  Captain  Bedee  was  among  the  prostrate 
men  vainly  trying  by  a  vigorous  use  of  his  sword  and  feet  to  do  as  he  had 
been  ordered.  k'  I  soon  found,"  as  he  afterwards  told  Captain  Barker, 
"  that  nothing  but  the  judgment  trump  of  the  Almighty  would  ever  bring 
those  men  upon  their  feet  again." 

The  regiment  went  forward  until  literally  cut  to  pieces  or  torn  into 
fragments,  and  had  no  semblance  of  form  or  organization  left :  and  the 
other  regiments  of  the  charging  column,  not  caring  to  imitate  its  example, 
though  comparatively  intact,  quickly  sought  shelter  with  the  survivors  of 
the  Twelfth,  behind  the  entrenchments  in  the  woods  from  which  they  had 
emerged  but  a  few  moments  before. 

The  following  outline  diagram,  as  sketched  by  Sergt.  Benjamin  B. 
Clarke,  of  Company  G,  the  day  after  the  battle,  will  assist  the  reader  in 
getting  a  correct  idea  of  the  relative  positions  of  the  regiments  of  the 
charging  column,  and  the  line  of  works  and  artillery  of  the  enemy  at  the 
time  the  charge  was  made. 


204 


Redan. 


History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


A 

E  - 


12th  N.  H. 

—  B 
-  F 
H 


Open  Field. 


K 

llth  Conn. 


Open  Field. 


8th  Maine. 


Swamp. 


2d  N.  H. 


148th  N.  Y.  in  trenches. 


Line  of  Entrenchments. 
Pine  Woods. 


I    I    I    I    I    I 

Battery. 


The  letters  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  straight  lines  representing  the  di 
visions  of  the  regiment,  show  of  what  companies  those  divisions  were 
formed  and  their  flank  positions.  The  One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth 
New  York  Regiment  were  sent  forward  as  skirmishers,  but  never  went 
farther  than  the  outer  line  of  intrenchments,  the  other  regiments  going 
over  them  when  they  made  the  charge.  To  advance  a  massed  column 
of  troops  into  such  a  semi-circle  of  destruction  as  here  portrayed,  with  front 
and  back  flanks  entirely  exposed  to  the  converging  fire  of  eight  or  ten 
pieces  of  artillery  and  more  than  half  a  mile  sweep  of  battle-lined  mus 
ketry,  was  something  fearful  to  even  contemplate,  but  how  much  more  so 
to  actually  experience  none  can  tell  save  those  who  were  there.  No 
wonder  that  Captain  Barker  who  had  a  heart  to  feel  as  well  as  courage 
to  act,  when  he  saw  the  field  covered  with  his  own  brave  men  and  heard 
the  cries  of  the  wounded,  some  of  whom  were  less  fortunate  than  the 
dead,  stood  up  before  his  superiors  in  rank  while  the  enemy's  shot  was 
still  flying  around  him,  and  wounding  some  of  his  listeners  as  he  spoke, 
and  denounced  in  righteous  wrath  the  general,  high  or  low,  who  was 
guilty  of  ordering  such  a  murderous  charge  as  that.  He  was  so  highly 
wrought  up  by  his  anger  and  the  excitement  of  the  occasion,  that  he  de 
clared  with  an  oath  that  he  would  not  take  his  regiment  into  another 
such  charge,  if  Jesus  Christ  himself  should  order  it. 

Captain  Barker,  as  hereafter  seen,  was  decidedly  opposed  to  making  the 
charge,  massed  in  column,  and  so  expressed  his  opinion.  Adjutant-Gen- 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  205 

eral  Reynolds  referred  to  Napoleon,  as  making  all  his  charges  in  solid 
column,  and  thought  it  the  most  effectual  way.  "The  most  effectual 
way  of  murdering  men,  I  agree,  and  there  is  the  evidence  of  it,"  sharply 
replied  the  captain,  as  he  pointed  to  the  field  in  front,  thickly  spotted 
with  the  dead  and  wounded.  The  next  moment  General  Reynolds  was 
wounded  in  the  shoulder,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  afterwards  died. 

Notwithstanding  the  bloody  repulse  of  the  Union  troops  the  whole  length 
of  his  line,  although  the  Second,  Sixth,  and  Eighteenth  corps  had  been 
chiefly  relied  upon  for  the  grand  charge,  General  Grant  with  characteristic 
stubbornness  allowed  General  Meade  to  order  the  attacks  renewed  ;  and 
repeated  efforts  were  made  to  get  the  corps  commanders  to  push  forward 
other  heavy  assaulting  columns,  either  in  concert  as  at  first  attempted,  or 
independent  of  each  other  as  at  last  directed,  but  all  to  no  effect.  These 
generals  had  no  heart  to  see  their  brave  troops  so  needlessly  slaughtered 
again,  and  they  too  well  appreciated  the  intelligence  and  temper  of  the  men 
they  commanded  to  believe  they  would  obey  an  order  for  another  such 
charge  should  it  be  made.  In  fact  it  might  be  stated  upon  good  authority,* 
that  the  men  "  unanimously  refused  to  obey  any  such  an  order,  for  they 
knew  success  was  hopeless  and  refused  to  be  sacrificed  to  no  purpose.''  Yet 
there  were  constant  movements,  feints  by  brigades  and  divisions  in  the 
different  corps,  which  kept  the  Confederates  constantly  on  the  alert  and 
the  artillery  on  both  sides  unremittingly  active.  Grant,  convinced  at  last 
that  he  was  attempting  the  impossible,  ordered  a  cessation  of  "  all  further 
offensive  operations,"  and  directed  that  corps  commanders  "  entrench 
their  positions  and  that  reconnoissances  be  made  with  a  view  to  moving 
against  the  enemy's  works  by  regular  approaches." 

And  thus  ended  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor.  Nearly  fifteen  thousand, 
or  enough  to  populate  quite  a  large  city  had  been  cut  down  or  disabled 
in  the  prime  and  pride  of  their  manhood,  and  this  appalling  sacrifice 
without  the  slightest  advantage  gained,  or  a  single  point  or  purpose  ef 
fected  !  Many  regiments  had  suffered  severely,  but  none  had  lost  so 
many  in  proportion  to  its  number  engaged  as  the  Twelfth  New  Hamp 
shire.  Such  was  the  hopelessness  of  their  undertaking  and  the  peril  of 
their  position  as  they  debouched  from  the  woods  at  the  head  of  the  charg 
ing  column,  that  one  of  the  Confederate  officers  said  to  some  of  the  regi 
ment  on  the  day  of  the  truce  for  burying  our  dead,  "  it  seemed  almost 
like  murder  to  fire  upon  you."  "Thousands  slain  and  nothing  gained." 
must  be  the  short  but  true  verdict  of  history  upon  the  last  effort  of  General 
Grant  to  crush  oat  the  Rebellion  by  defeating  its  main  army  before  it  fell 
back  to  meet  him  again,  behind  still  stronger  works  on  the  other  side 
of  Richmond.  The  following  extract  from  a  letter  written  by  Colonel 
Barker  headed  and  dated  :  "  fn  a  trench  one  hundred  yards  from  the 
rebel  skirmishers,  June  4,  1864."  explains  briefly  the  part  taken  by  the 
Twelfth  : 

*  (JiTt-k-y's  Aiiirririui  Conflict,  Vol.  II,  i»:it?»>  582. 


206  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

At  4  o'clock  yesterday  morning  our  brigade  left  our  breastworks,  marched  a 
few  rods  to  the  left  and  at  about  5  o'clock  started  on  a  charge  with  pieces  un 
capped  and  bayonets  fixed.  The  One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  New  York 
Regiment  had  deployed  as  skirmishers.  Next  in  line  followed  the  Twelfth  New 
Hampshire  in  column  by  division,  followed  by  the  Eleventh  Connecticut  and  the 
Eighth  Maine  with  the  Second  New  Hampshire  in  the  rear.  We  passed  through 
a  distance  of  some  four  hundred  yards  with  but  very  little  loss.  As  the  One 
Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  appeared  at  the  edge  of  the  open  field  volley  after 
volley  belched  forth  from  the  rebel  works  about  five  hundred  yards  ahead  and 
the  regiment  gave  way.  I  tried  my  best  to  get  Colonel  Steadman,  commanding 
column,  to  deploy ;  for  I  deemed  it  rashness  to  charge  the  enemy's  works  so 
strong  and  threatening  in  column.  He  would  not  allow  it  but  said,  "go  as  you 
are,"  and  we  did  go  into  the  most  deadly  fire  that  ever  met  an  opposing  force 
on  the  field  of  battle ;  and  when  within  about  fifty  yards  of  the  enemy's  works 
that  we  were  all  rushing  for,  a  battery  opened  upon  us  with  grape  and  canister 
on  our  left  and  musketry  from  the  right.  Seeing  that  to  advance  further  in  this 
formation  was  annihilation  to  the  regiment,  I  endeavored  to  deploy  the  column, 
but  it  was  too  late,  it  could  not  be  done.  The  men  fell  back  and  what  were 
left,  about  no,  re-formed  in  the  rear  of  our  breastworks. 

The  color  bearer,  Sergeant  Hoyt,  was  shot  and  got  separated  from  the  regi 
ment  and  for  a  time  we  thought  we  had  lost  our  colors,  and  not  until  we  had 
formed  in  support  of  Stanard's  brigade  did  we  know  where  they  were.  Then  a 
corporal  by  the  name  of  Wallace,  of  Company  K,  came  bringing  them  in  and  pre 
sented  them  to  me.  You  ought  to  have  heard  the  glad  cheers  with  which  the  old 
flag  was  greeted.*  I  made  the  corporal  color  sergeant  on  the  spot,  placed  him  in 
the  centre  of  the  remaining  little  squad  and  told  them  to  consider  themselves  all 
the  color  guard.  I  sent  out  last  night  a  detail  to  bring  oft'  the  wounded  who  had 
lain  on  the  field  all  day  where  many  doubtless  died  before  they  could  be  rescued. 
Up  to  the  present  time  we  know  of  twenty  killed,  eighty  wounded  and  about  one 
hundred  missing;  about  all  the  last  are  probably  killed  or  wounded. 

The  following  graphic  description  of  this  battle  from  the  pen  of  George 
E.  Place,  of  Company  B,  is  taken  from  his  personal  experience  in  the 
war,  the  remainder  of  which  will  be  found  in  a  subsequent  chapter  : 

A  cannonading  was  going  on  as  we  reached  the  field.  [Afternoon  of  June 
ist.]  We  halted  at  least  two  miles  from  where  the  rebel  guns  were  in  action; 
yet  an  occasional  shot  came  quite  near  us.  One  missile  struck  and  buried  itself 
in  the  ground  about  twenty  feet  from  me,  and  not  over  six  feet  from  where  a 
comrade  was  standing.  It  was  dug  out,  and  proved  to  be  a  shot  from  a  Whit- 
worth  rifle  gun.  Presently  we  moved  on,  and  took  up  a  position,  "resting  at 
will,"  in  some  pine  woods  where  occured  that  terrible  enfilading  fire  from  a  con 
cealed  rebel  battery.  Colonel  Barker  was  standing  near  me,  and  I  heard  him  re 
mark,  that  he  thought  he  had  experienced  some  heavy  artillery  firing  at  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  but  none  equaled  the  closeness  of  that  fire,  yet  strange  as  it 
may  appear,  as  far  as  I  could  learn,  not  a  man  of  the  regiment  was  hurt  while  in 
that  position.  The  shot  were  evidently  all  solid,  as  I  do  not  recollect  hearing 

*  The  regiment  had  no  State  colors  at  that  time. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  207 

any  explosion  of  shells.  One  shot  struck  a  tree  ten  inches  in  diameter  at  about 
eighteen  inches  from  the  ground,  not  over  four  feet  from  where  I  was  sitting, 
cutting  it  half  off.  I  heard  some  of  the  boys  express  a  wish  that  a  charge  would 
be  ordered  on  that  battery,  as  they  would  rather  do  that,  than  lie  quietly  there 
and  be  murdered  in  cold  blood.  After  about  half  an  hour  we  were  ordered  to 
advance,  and  so  we  got  out  of  range.  We  moved  on  a  few  rods  and  halted  again. 
While  there,  some  movement  on  the  picket  line  called  out  several  volleys  of 
musketry,  and  the  bullets  came  spatting  around  quite  thickly.  "Sherb"  Locke 
was  sitting  at  my  left;  a  bullet  struck  his  tin  dipper  which  was  fastened  to  his 
haversack,  making  of  it  a  shapeless  mass.  My  elbow  was  so  near  the  dipper  as 
almost  to  touch  it. 

And  now  I  will  pass  on  to  that  fateful  morning  of  the  third  of  June.  We  are 
in  line  of  battle,  "close  column  by  division."  We  are  ordered  to  take  the  caps 
from  our  guns,  and  fix  bayonet.  We  are  now  in  the  woods,  and  can  see  nothing 
of  the  rebels.  Every  thing  is  quiet.  Ah  !  it  is  such  occasions  as  this  which  try 
men's  nerves.  I  made  a  study  of  the  faces  around  me.  Every  face  was  more  or 
less  pale,  but  all  had  a  determined  look,  except  a  New  York  recruit  by  the  name 
of  Hayes.  He  was  trembling,  and  his  face  was  pale  as  death.  I  encountered 
him  not  long  afterwards  in  the  field  hospital.  He  was  unharmed.  I  questioned 
him  some,  and  was  satisfied,  from  his  evasive  answers  that  he  had  skulked  out  of 
the  fight.  I  learned  afterwards  that  he  deserted  about  that  time — probably  that 
night.  Thus  we  stood,  all  ready  for  the  charge ;  I  know  not  how  long,  but  it 
seemed  a  long  time  to  me,  for  at  such  a  time,  with  men's  nerves  strained  to  their 
utmost  tension,  a  minute  seems  an  hour.  Finally,  the  Colonel  drew  his  sword, — 
"Forward,  march"  and  the  regiment  started.  We  had  not  gone  ten  feet,  when 
a  rebel  battery  on  our  left  flank  opened  fire.  I  wondered  how  the  rebels  knew 
so  soon  that  we  had  started,  for  being  in  the  woods,  they  could  not  see  us.  The 
guns  were  so  arranged  that  the  iron  storm  swept  past  us  about  two  rods  in  front. 
How  it  crashed  and  howled  through  those  pine  trees !  For  a  moment,  the  regi 
ment  quailed  and  halted.  As  it  did  so,  I  turned  and  looked  at  Colonel  Barker.  I 
shall  never  forget  the  expression  that  came  into  his  face  as  he  beheld  that  halting. 
His  eyes  dilated,  and  it  seemed  as  if  I  could  almost  see  the  fire  flash  from  them. 
He  flung  his  sword  above  his  head  and  shouted  with  a  voice  that  seemed  as  if  the 
rebels  must  have  heard, — "Forward!"  Instantly  the  regiment  started  again, 
yelling  as  it  went.  There  was  no  more  halting  after  that,  until,  swept  down  in 
killed  and  wounded,  it  lost  all  semblance  of  order,  and  could  do  no  otherwise 
than  fall  back.  That  artillery  discharge  was  immediately  followed  by  the 
opening  of  musketry.  I  passed  close  by  one  of  the  vedettes  in  a  rifle-pit, 
hugging  to  the  ground  as  close  as  he  could,  and  trembling  like  an  aspen  leaf. 
Past  the  vedettes,  we  immediately  enter  an  open  field.  It  is  bare  of  vegetation. 
All  over  that  field  little  puffs  of  dust  are  thickly  rising,  occasioned  by  the  rebel 
bullets  striking  the  ground.  A  line  of  breastworks  runs  zig-zag;  one  in  front, 
the  other  on  our  left.  We  cannot  see  a  man  in  these  works,  for  a  dense  cloud 
of  battle-smoke  rests  all  along  the  line.  From  the  works  in  front,  and  the 
works  on  our  left,  arose  a  musketry  fire  so  heavy,  it  seemed  almost  like  one 
continual  crash  of  thunder,  while  artillery  on  our  left  poured  in  the  shells. 
Just  as  we  entered  the  field,  a  shell  plunged  into  the  ground  at  the  left  of 
our  column,  and  immediately  burst,  throwing  the  dirt  and  pebbles  all  over  us. 


208  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Some  small  missile  struck  me  just  under  the  left  eye,  causing  a  sharp  sting,  and  I 
felt  the  blood  trickling  down  my  face. 

James  Rollins  was  at  my  left,  Charles  Marden  next  to  him,  and  the  next  beyond, 
Charles  Bunker.  Soon  after  we  got  into  the  field,  Rollins  threw  up  both  hands, 
uttered  a  yell,  and  fell  over  on  his  face.  I  thought  surely  he  was  killed,  but 
found  him  afterwards  in  the  field  hospital.  A  bullet  had  gone  through  the  calves 
of  both  legs.  I  looked  for  Marden  and  Bunker  to  "  dress "  by,  but  they  were 
missing;  indeed,  there  was  such  a  wide  gap  on  my  left  (I  was  almost  on  the 
right  of  the  column)  that  I  thought  I  had  fallen  behind  my  column,  and  hastened 
to  catch  up,  only  to  find  myself  in  Company  A,  who  were  in  the  front  column. 
We  were  now  so  near  the  breastworks  that  I  could  see  the  flash  of  their  musketry 
quivering  through  the  bank  of  smoke  that  lay  above  them,  like  lightning  through 
a  cloud ;  and  I  was  just  thinking  of  the  hand-to-hand  struggle  that  would  come 
when  we  reached  the  breastworks,  when  a  bullet  went  through  my  right  arm. 
My  hand  instantly  flew  open,  and  my  gun  dropped  to  the  ground.  All  the  fingers 
on  that  hand  turned  back  to  nearly  a  right  angle  with  the  back  of  my  hand, 
and  quivered,  caused,  probably,  by  a  sudden  contraction  of  the  muscles.  I 
thought  for  a  moment,  that  my  arm  was  broken,  and  I  caught  hold  of  my  fingers 
and  straightened  them  out.  About  this  time,  the  regiment  began  to  fall  back. 
Just  before  I  reentered  the  woods  a  flank  bullet  grazed  the  small  of  my  back.  It 
left  quite  a  scar,  which  is  there  to-day  As  I  received  that  third  blow,  that  old, 
familiar  expression,  "hit  'im  agin,  blue  jacket,  he's  got  no  friends,"  passed 
across  my  mind.  I  reached  the  field  hospital,  and  sat  down  among  a  group  of 
wounded  men,  so  as  to  get  my  wounds  dressed.  As  I  raised  my  eyes,  I  saw  I 
was  seated  near  an  amputating  table.  The  spectacle  was  too  harrowing,  and 
I  arose  to  go  away,  but  immediately  grew  faint,  and  had  to  sit  down  again.  I 
was  compelled  to  sit  there  nearly  an  hour  before  my  condition  would  allow  me  to 
go  away.  Twice  during  the  time  I  was  there,  a  load  of  arms,  legs,  hands,  and 
feet,  was  carried  oft' on  a  shelter  tent  and  dumped  into  a  ravine. 

The  battle  indeed  was  over,  but  the  suffering  and  agony  of  the  poor 
wounded  men,  who  still  lay  upon  the  field  where  they  fell,  did  not  so 
quickly  end.  Hardest  of  all,  worse  even  than  the  dreadful  charge  itself, 
was  the  sight  of  comrades  and  tent-mates,  endeared  by  many  kind, 
unselfish  deeds  and  cherished  for  their  brotherly  care  and  affection,  lying 
helpless  in  their  suffering  within  plain  sight,  with  no  means  or  power  to 
aid  or  even  comfort  them  by  an  assisting  hand  or  sympathetic  word. 
Many  of  the  wounded  left  on  the  field  and  unable  to  get  under  cover, 
were  deliberately  shot  dead  by  the  inhuman  rebel  wretches ;  and  this 
was  done  so  long  after  the  charge  and  its  excitement  was  over  that  every 
such  shot  made  the  one  who  aimed  it  little  better  than  a  cold-blooded 
murderer.  So  worse  than  savages  and  revengefully  malicious  were  some 
of  those  heartless  fiends  in  human  shape,  that  they  not  only  shot  at  those 
who  showed  any  signs  of  life,  but  amused  themselves  by  making  targets 
of  the  bodies  of  those  that  were  dead.  A  number  of  the  Twelfth  received 
their  death  wounds  from  these  cowardly  miscreants,  and  some  that,  but 
for  them,  might  have  recovered  from  their  wounds  received  while  ad  vane- 


Ne-w  Hampshire   Volunteers.  209 

ing  in  the  charge.  Of  all  the  means,  persuasive  or  coercive,  that  could 
have  been  used  to  induce  soldiers  of  that  army,  who  had  once  breasted 
the  storm,  to  make  another  determined  charge  upon  the  enemy's 
intrenchments,  none  would  have  been  half  as  effective  as  an  appeal  to 
that  deep  feeling  of  commingled  pity  and  anger  that  was  created  by  the 
suffering  condition  and  inhuman  treatment  of  their  comrades  who  lay 
between  them  and  the  foe.  "Revenge  or  death"  would,  at  that  time, 
have  been  a  most  potent  battle-cry,  and  nerved  the  best  and  bravest  of 
the  troops  to  desperate  and  determined  efforts  to  break  through  the 
enemy's  lines  or  perish,  like  their  comrades,  in  the  attempt. 

As  showing  the  situation  of  the  Twelfth  during  the  whole  day  after  the 
fatal  attack,  as  well  as  of  the  silent  and  suffering  ones  who  lay  upon  the 
field  where  they  fell,  for  five  days  and  four  nights,  except  when  rescued 
by  their  comrades,  under  cover  of  darkness,  we  quote  the  following  from 
General  Smith's  account,  already  referred  to  in  this  chapter : 

At  the  close  of  the  battle  the  front  of  General  Martindale  was  less  than  two 
hundred  yards  from  the  enemy's  line,  and  in  the  open  space  between  were  many 
dead  and  wounded.  For  three  days  no  cessation  of  hostilities  was  asked  for; 
and  common  rumor  gave  as  a  reason  that  there  was  fear  of  a  refusal,  as  there 
were  no  dead  or  wounded  of  the  enemy  between  the  lines  to  be  cared  for.  Some 
of  our  wounded  were  brought  in  by  men  who  risked  their  lives  in  the  act,  and 
some  were  rescued  by  digging  trenches  to  them.  The  groans  of  such  as  could 
not  be  reached  grew  fainter  and  fainter  until  they  ceased. 

Here  then  is  such  a  picture  of  war  as  does  not  often  present  itself  even 
to  the  veteran  of  a  hundred  battles.  Two  armies  so  closely  confronting 
each  other  that  their  main  lines  in  some  places  are  scarcely  a  rifle  shot 
apart,  and  the  exposure  of  a  hand  or  head,  upon  either  side,  is  pretty 
sure  to  result  in  a  furlough  for  thirty  days  or  eternity  ;  while  upon  the 
narrow  space  between,  in  plain  sight  of  both  friend  and  foe,  are  lying 
thousands  of  the  dead,  wounded,  and  dying,  all  stricken  down  from  the 
ranks  of  one  of  the  opposing  armies,  and  all  unprotected  and  uncared  for. 

That  the  wounded  were  thus  allowed  to  remain  in  suffering  helpless 
ness  upon  the  field  day  after  day,  unless  sooner  rescued  by  their  pitying 
comrades,  was  because  of  such  a  shameful  and  criminal  negligence  as 
no  common  words  can  fully  and  justly  characterize.  And  this  we  say, 
more  in  sorrowful  remembrance  of  the  dead  who  there  suffered  and  died, 
than  from  any  feelings  of  angry  indignation  that  the  same  remembrance 
can,  after  so  many  years,  quickly  revive  in  the  minds  of  the  living. 
For  ordering  the  charge,  or  ever  allowing  it  to  be  made  at  the  time  and 
place  it  was,  there  may  perhaps  be  found,  among  all  the  surrounding 
circumstances,  some  show  of  excuse,  if  not  of  justification  ;  but  for  per 
mitting  wounded  heroes  of  that  charge  to  suffer  and  die  as  they  did,  one 
must  search  in  vain  for  either  one  or  the  other.  Fears  of  refusal  were 
certainly  no  excuse  for  not  asking,  when  both  mercy  and  pity,  with  all  the 


2io  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

nobler  impulses  of  humanity,  were  pleading  for  immediate  action  for 
their  relief.  And  more  than  this,  what  ground  was  there  for  doubting 
that  General  Lee  would  have  respected  a  flag  of  truce  to  care  for  the 
wounded  and  bury  the  dead? 

General  Smith,  while  more  than  willing,  as  we  have  seen,  to  throw  the 
responsibility  and  odium  upon  Meade  or  Grant,  seems  to  have  forgotten 
that  he  could  only  blame  them  by  condemning  himself.  For  what  more 
could  have  been  both  his  privilege  and  duty  than  to  have  reported  the 
condition  and  situation  of  his  wounded  men  to  his  superiors  in  command, 
and  requested  permission  for  their  immediate  removal  under  a  flag  of 
truce.  Had  he  done  this,  which  he  nowhere  even  intimates  that  he  did, 
then  words  of  express  as  well  as  implied  censure  might  have  come  in 
good  grace  from  him,  and  could  not  have  been  too  severe. 

Seeing  that  nothing  had  been  done  through  that  long,  sad  day  for  their 
comrades,  the  men  of  the  Twelfth  welcomed  night  as  they  scarcely  ever 
had  before,  even  for  the  relief  of  their  own  toils  and  sufferings,  that 
they  might  go  themselves  to  the  rescue.  To  have  attempted  anything  of 
the  kind  during  the  day  would  have  been  at  the  cost  of  more  than  six  for 
one  and  practically  impossible  ;  for  even  under  the  cover  of  the  night  it 
was  a  very  dangerous  undertaking,  and  only  the  greatest  caution  and  the 
most  persistent  efforts  made  it  even  partially  successful.  But  if  night 
was  gladly  welcomed  by  those  who  were  only  intent  upon  the  work  of 
saving,  how  much  more  so  by  those  whom  they  were  trying  to  save,  the 
reader,  from  what  has  already  been  written,  can  have  only  a  slight  con 
ception.  To  them  it  was  like  the  shadow  of  angel's  wing.  .  It  not  only 
brought  cooling  dews  in  place  of  burning  sun,  but  gave  those  who  were 
able  a  chance  of  showing  signs  of  life  without  inviting  death,  and 
strengthened  the  hope,  which  was  not  a  vain  one,  that  their  comrades 
would  attempt  their  rescue  as  soon  as  dark  enough.  And  then,  scarcely 
less  to  the  seeker  than  the  sought,  was  the  tearful  gladness  of  their  meet 
ing  on  that  night-screened  field  of  awful  carnage.  To  those  even  who 
were  nearly  under  the  dark  shadow  of  death,  it  was  no  small  consolation 
to  know  that  their  companions  in  arms  were  mindful  of  them  and  periling 
their  own  lives  to  save  theirs  ;  to  have  the  privilege  of  once  more  grasp 
ing  their  hands  and  listening  to  their  tender  words  of  sympathy  in  that 
solemn,  life-parting  hour ;  and  to  send  by  them  a  last,  loving  message  to 
the  dearly  cherished  in  their  far  distant  homes,  so  soon  to  be  gloomed  in 
sadness  and  sorrow  for  another  brave  soldier  dead.  Some  lived  but  a 
few  moments  after  being  found  or  brought  into  our  lines,  others  expired 
that  night  or  the  next  day  at  field  hospital ;  while  others,  among  whom 
were  Lieutenant  Emery,  of  Company  F,  and  Joseph  Hill  and  Albert 
McKenzie,  of  Company  B,  were  sent  to  Washington,  where  they  soon 
after  died.  But  there  were  a  few,  more  fortunate  in  receiving  less 
dangerous  wounds  in  the  charge,  and  in  getting  the  cover  of  a  rock, 
stump,  or  rebel  vedette  hole  to  protect  them  from  the  bullets  of  fiendish 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  211 

sharpshooters,  who  not  only  lived  to  get  to  some  general  hospital  in  the 
North,  but  after  long  suffering  recovered  so  as  to  reach  their  homes, 
where  one  at  least — B.  W.  Clarke,  of  Company  F  —  is  still  living. 

During  the  afternoon  two  or  three  companies,  some  twenty-five  or 
thirty  men  from  the  left  of  the  regiment  and  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Bedee,  had  been  deployed  as  skirmishers  and  advanced  a  few  yards  over 
a  low  piece  of  ground,  just  to  the  left  and  rear  of  where  the  charge  was 
made.  In  a  few  moments  every  man  was  under  ground  !  Not  dead  and 
buried  quite  so  quickly  as  that,  but  they  had  sunk  themselves  into  the 
earth  in  real  gopher  style  assisted  by  a  most  vigorous  use  of  jack-knives 
and  bayonets  for  axes  and  picks,  and  tin  dippers  and  plates  for  spades 
and  shovels.  It  is  amusing,  even  to  the  men  themselves,  to  see  how  sur 
prisingly  quick  one  will  cover  himself  from  the  view  of  the  keen-eyed 
rebel  sharpshooters,  when  every  second  is  likely  to  be  his  last  until  his 
work  is  accomplished. 

After  dark  the  men  were  relieved  from  their  cramped  positions  in  their 
gopher  holes,  and  notwithstanding  the  extra  hazardous  service  they  had 
performed,  it  was  found  that  only  three  had  been  wounded  and  none  seri 
ously.  Fortunately  no  other  detail  was  made  from  the  Twelfth  that 
night,  and  so  forty  men  —  as  many  as  Captain  Barker  dared  to  let  go,  be 
ing  nearly  half  the  regiment — went  out  with  Captain  Fernal  and  Lieu 
tenant  Sanders  on  their  mission  of  mercy  and  love  above  referred  to. 
Making  as  little  noise  as  possible  they  break  into  little  squads  of  double 
files  as  they  approach  the  centre  of  the  field,  where  most  of  the  dead  and 
wounded  lie.  The  work  of  searching  for  the  living  was  their  first 
and  main  object,  for  the  dead  needed  not  their  aid,  though  their  bodies 
soon  received  attention.  This,  under  the  circumstances  was  more  dif 
ficult  and  dangerous  than  might  become  apparent  without  a  word  or  two 
of  explanation.  The  night  though  dark  was  not  so  much  so  but  what  a 
man  standing  erect  could  be  seen  for  some  little  distance.  For  this  rea 
son  the  rescuers  as  they  neared  the  enemy's  line  had  to  crawl  upon  their 
hands  and  knees,  and  in  this  position  could  plainly  see  the  strong  line  of 
rebel  pickets  outlined  against  the  sky,  but  a  short  distance  from  them. 

Thus  in  silent  darkness,  for  none  but  whispered  words  could  be  spoken, 
they  crept  around  among  the  still  more  silent  dead  listening,  for  they  could 
make  no  call,  for  some  deep  sigh  or  low  moan  that  would  tell  them  where 
amid  the  surrounding  gloom  of  night  and  death  they  might  find  one  in 
whose  veins  the  vital  fluid  still  continued  to  circulate.  And  when  by 
some  such  sound  or  mere  accident  a  comrade  at  last  was  found,  with 
whispered  caution  to  make  if  possible  no  cry  of  distress  or  groan  of 
agony,  he  was  carefully  lifted  up,  a  blanket  or  stretcher  put  under  him, 
and  borne  away  with  noiseless  steps  to  where  they  would  receive  all  the 
comfort  and  care  that  kind  hearts  and  willing  hands  could  render.  And 
thus  the  noble  work  of  rescuing  suffering  humanity  went  on,  not  only  for 
that  night,  but  the  next  and  even  the  third,  until  all  of  the  living  and  most 


212  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

of  the  dead  were  removed,  leaving  but  comparatively  few  to  be  buried,  on 
the  field  where  they  fell,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  which  was  not  until  just 
before  dark  on  the  yth,  or  five  days  after  the  battle. 

Sergeants  Gordon,  of  Company  C,  and  Gray,  of  Company  F,  found  and 
brought  in  Lieutenant  Emery  ;  Captain  Fernal  and  Sergeant  Place,  of 
Company  A,  secured  the  body  of  Lieutenant  Dunn  ;  and  Sergeant  Clarke 
and  others  of  Company  G  succeeded  in  getting  the  sword  and  watch  of 
Lieutenant  Whittier,  but  were  fired  upon  while  trying  to  remove  his  body 
and  had  to  leave  it.  Sergeant  Cheney,  of  Company  E,  though  seen  alive 
between  the  lines  during  the  day,  could  not  be  found  and  his  body  was 
never  recovered.  His  brother,  Daniel  P.,  of  the  same  company,  long 
sought  in  vain  for  him  or  his  body,  inspecting  the  faces  of  the  dead  by 
the  carefully  secured  light  of  a  match,  when  he  found  one  in  form  and 
height  resembling  him,  that  he  might  know  that  it  was  not  the  body  of  his 
brother.  During  this  and  the  succeeding  night  many  of  the  dead  as  well 
as  the  living  were  taken  off  the  field.  Sergeant  Clarke  above  referred  to 
says:  "Twenty-eight  of  our  dead  were  brought  in  and  buried  in  one 
trench  on  the  night  of  the  fourth,  making  fifty  already  brought  into  our 
lines  and  buried."  This  would  make  twenty  that  were  recovered  and 
buried  on  the  night  of  the  charge.  How  many  of  the  living  were  rescued 
there  is  no  means  of  knowing ;  nor  is  it  known  how  many  of  the  dead 
were  brought  in  on  the  night  of  the  5th. 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th  Captain  Bedee  was  wounded  in  the  head 
by  a  musket  ball,  and  was  so  badly  injured  that  he  was  rendered  insane 
for  a  while  and  had  to  be  sent  to  the  hospital.  A  little  later  in  the  day 
Sergeant  George  K.  Hughes,  of  Company  E,  was  killed  by  a  shell  from 
one  of  our  own  guns.  It  was  a  percussion  shell  that  striking  a  tree  near 
by  exploded,  and  a  piece  of  it  buried  itself  in  the  sergeant's  back,  causing 
his  death  in  a  few  moments.  Gustave  Newman  of  the  same  company 
was  wounded  by  the  same  shell.  Sergeant  Hughes  had  just  before  been 
helping  mend  the  flag-staff  that  had  been  partly  cut  off  by  a  bullet  or 
piece  of  shell,  and  at  the  time  he  was  struck  he  was  looking  at  the  enemy's 
line  through  a  field  glass  that  Corporal  Cox  had  taken  from  the  body  of  a 
rebel  officer  at  the  battle  of  Swift  Creek.  Sergeant  Gray,  of  Company  F, 
was  sent  back  to  the  battery  to  tell  them  the  danger  of  our  men  from  their 
shots. 

That  night  the  brigade  was  advanced  several  yards  nearer  the  rebel 
line  and  there  threw  up  a  new  line  of  intrenchments  which  the  Twelfth 
and  other  regiments  occupied  the  next  day.  It  was  within  easy  musket 
range  of  the  rebel  pickets,  who  no  sooner  discovered  it  by  the  first  light  of 
day  than  they  fell  back  in  great  haste.  They  evidently  had  no  desire  for 
so  close  an  acquaintance  with  the  Yankees. 

"  The  boys  are  amusing  themselves  by  firing  through  loop  holes  at 
every  rebel  that  shows  his  head,"  wrote  Captain  Barker  while  sitting  in 
the  same  ditch  where  his  men  were  thus  employed.  But  the  enemy  in 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  213 

their  front  was  by  no  means  idle.  His  men  were  returning  bullet  for 
bullet  and  his  artillery  gave  the  new  redoubt  a  severe  shelling  several 
times  during  the  day.  Nathaniel  Briggs,  of  Company  C,  was  mortally 
wounded  by  a  rebel  sharpshooter  while  carrying  water  to  the  boys  in  the 
trenches,  he  lived  about  three  weeks. 

The  regiment  remained  in  the  same  line  of  trenches  until  dark  the  next 
day,  when  part  of  it  was  advanced  as  skirmishers  in  front  of  the  position 
held  by  the  Twelfth  and  Second,  while  the  men  quickly  threw  up  another 
line  of  works  a  short  distance  in  front  of  the  line  thrown  up  a  night  or  two 
before. 

This  was  done  so  close  upon  the  rebel  pickets  that  serious  trouble  was 
expected,  but  the  work  was  done  so  quickly  and  quietly,  not  a  word  being 
spoken  above  a  whisper,  that  onlv  two  men  of  the  Second  Regiment  and 
one  of  the  Twelfth  were  wounded.  This  was  thought  to  be  rare  good 
luck  considering  the  dangerous  situation.  It  seemed  as  if  Grant,  having 
failed  to  drive  the  enemy  out  of  his  lines  was  now  trying  to  crowd  him 
out.  It  was  thought  by  the  rebels,  that  the  design  of  daily  moving  their 
lines,  by  regular  approaches  every  night,  was  to  get  as  near  as  possible, 
and  then  over-run  them  by  a  grand  rush.  It  is  doubtful,  however,  if 
General  Grant  ever  seriously  entertained  such  an  idea  ;  although  there 
was  much  reason,  from  his  persistent  crowding,  and  from  what  they  had 
already  learned  of  his  natural  disinclination  to  give  up  what  he  had  once 
undertaken,  for  such  a  belief  to  have  been  entertained  by  them. 

Later  in  the  night,  after  the  firing  caused  by  the  picket  advance  had 
died  away,  another  and  last  effort  was  made  to  recover  the  bodies  of  the 
Twelfth  men  still  left  upon  the  field.  The  searching  party  was  fired  upon, 
but  succeeded  in  getting  several  more  of  the  dead,  among  which  was  found 
one  man  that  was  still  living.  His  name  is  not  known,  but  he  was  prob 
ably  one  of  the  recruits.  How  long  he  had  remained  conscious  after  he 
fell,  or  how  much  he  had  suffered  during  the  three  days  and  nights  he 
had  lain  on  the  field,  none  can  tell.  The  7th  found  the  regiment  in  the 
same  trenches,  but  now,  for  a  wonder,  in  the  second  line,  the  one  thrown 
up  the  night  before  being  occupied  by  the  Eighth  Maine.  Between  the 
hours  of  six  and  eight  in  the  afternoon  there  was  a  two  hours'  truce  for 
burying  the  dead  still  left  between  the  lines.  On  the  pth,  Lieutenant 
Joseph  N.  Shepard,  of  the  Sixth  New  Hampshire,  was  killed  by  a  sharp 
shooter  while  talking  with  some  of  the  Twelfth.  His  regiment  was,  at 
that  time,  in  General  Griffin's  brigade  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  and  he  had 
come  over  to  see  some  of  the  boys  in  the  regiment  who  had  been  his 
neighbors  and  schoolmates  in  Gilmanton,  N.  H.,  before  the  war.  He  was 
cautioned  by  them  to  keep  covered  and  not  expose  himself,  as  he  could 
only  do  so  with  extreme  hazard  ;  but,  having  gone  safely  through  Spott- 
sylvania  and  the  Wilderness,  he  seemed  to  think  himself  proof  against 
bullets,  and  heeded  not  the  earnest  admonitions  of  his  friends.  Though 
his  death  was  the  result,  somewhat,  of  his  own  folly,  it  was  nevertheless 


214  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

sad,  and  as  his  would-be  preservers  looked  upon  his  lifeless  form,  that  but 
a  moment  before  stood  erect  and  defiant  in  the  face  of  the  enemy,  they 
blamed  themselves  for  not  having  made  him  heed  their  warnings.  He 
was  carried  to  the  rear  by  the  friends  with  whom  he  had  been  talking, 
three  of  whom  were  C.  S.  Oilman,  G.  W.  Andrews,  and  E.  W.  Shannon, 
all  ot  Company  G.  The  same  day,  John  Smith,  a  recruit  of  Company 
B,  was  severly  wounded  in  the  head. 

The  situation  was  now  fast  becoming  a  serious  one  in  respect  to  the 
exposure  of  the  men  to  disease  as  well  as  danger.  The  lines  were  so 
close  together  in  some  places,  that  pickets  could  not  be  sent  out  by  either 
side  without  running  into  each  other,  making  a  continuous  skirmish 
fight  between  the  pickets  by  night,  and  constant  rifle  and  artillery  prac 
tice  by  the  opposing  lines  through  the  day.  This  great  strain  upon 
the  nervous  system,  together  with  lack  of  food  and  water,  want  of  sleep 
and  rest,  and  exposure  to  the  extreme  heat  and  noxious  vapors,  were 
already  beginning  to  have  their  baneful  effect  upon  the  men,  and  without 
some  change,  would  soon  become  more  dangerous  to  the  Federal  army 
than  rebel  bullets. 

Gen.  A.  A.  Humphreys,  who  was  at  this  time  General  Mead's  chief  of 
staff,  writes  in  his  "  Virginia  Campaign  of  1864  and  1865"  as  follows  : 

Although  the  lines  were  advanced  by  regular  approaches  (they  were  so  close 
to  the  enemy's  intrenchments,  and  the  ground  was  so  open,  that  they  could  not 
be  advanced  in  any  other  way)  yet  an  assault  gave  no  promise  of  success.  The 
army  remained  in  position  here  until  the  night  of  the  i  zth,  when  it  withdrew  to 
cross  the  James  river.  The  daily  skirmishing  during  that  time  was  sharp,  and 
caused  severe  loss  in  some  divisions.  During  the  night  there  was  heavy  artillery 
firing,  and  sometimes  heavy  musketry.  The  labor  of  making  the  approaches 
and  strengthening  the  intrenchments  was  hard.  The  men  in  the  advanced  part 
of  the  lines,  which  were  some  miles  in  length,  had  to  lie  close  in  narrow  trenches, 
with  no  water,  except  a  little  to  drink,  and  that  the  worst  kind,  being  from  sur 
face  drainage ;  they  were  exposed  to  great  heat  during  the  clay,  and  they  had  but 
little  sleep.  Their  cooking  was  of  the  rudest  character.  *  *  *  *  Dead 
horses  and  mules  were  scattered  over  the  country,  and  between  the  lines  were 
many  dead  bodies  of  both  sides  lying  unburied  in  a  burning  sun.  The  country 
was  low  and  marshy  in  character.  The  exhaustive  effect  of  all  this  began  to 
show  itself,  and  sickness  of  malarial  character  increased  largely. 

On  the  day  of  the  truce  for  burying  the  dead,  Captain  Sanborn  paced 
off  the  distance  between  the  lines  in  front  of  the  regiment  and  found  it  but 
seventy  paces  or  yards.  Among  other  incidents,  that  have  not  already 
been  referred  to,  are  the  following  : 

A  rebel  sharpshooter,  who  had  perched  himself  in  a  tree,  had  killed 
and  wounded  several  of  our  officers  and  men,  and  one  of  Berdan's  best 
shots  was  sent  for  to  silence  the  rebel's  one-ounce  battery  that  was  being 
used  by  him  with  such  deadly  effect.  Soon  the  desired  man,  armed  with 
a  telescope  rifle,  appeared,  and  reported  for  duty.  After  learning  the 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  215 

location  of  the  man  he  was  hunting  for,  he  chose  the  trench  then  occupied 
by  the  Twelfth  as  his  headquarters,  and  commenced  operations.  It  was 
a  fight  between  two  at  long  range,  but  the  "Green  Coat"  had  the  advan 
tage  of  both  aim  and  reach,  as  well  as  weight  of  metal  ;  and  after  a  few 
exchanges  of  their  leaden  messengers,  he  turned  to  the  boys,  who  had 
been  intently  watching  him,  and  smilingly  said,  "There,  I  don't  believe 
that  Johnny  will  trouble  you  any  more,"  and  he  didn't. 

Lieutenant  Clark  informs  the  writer,  that  the  next  shot,  after  that  which 
killed  Shepard,  and  fired,  as  he  thinks,  by  the  same  sharpshooter,  passed 
between  his  gun-strap  and  stock,  knocking  a  piece  out  of  the  latter,  com 
ing  very  close  to  his  head,  and  burying  itself  in  the  ground  under  a  hard 
tack  box  that  it  penetrated. 

Sergeant  A.  G.  Sanborn,  of  Company  G,  says  that  on  the  same  day  of 
the  charge,  June  3,  he  and  John  Arnett,  of  the  same  company,  went  to 
get  their  canteens  filled  with  water,  and  on'  their  way  back  they  saw  a 
shell  coming  which  burst  near  them,  killing  his  companion  by  his  side. 
When  the  order  was  given  to  uncap  pieces  and  fix  bayonets,  "  I  shall 
never  forget,"  says  Colonel  Barker,  "that  while  some  of  the  men  turned 
pale,  and  all  looked  sternly  sober,  one  there  was,  a  mere  boy  in  years,  of 
Company  D,  who  quickly  grabbed  the  cap  from  his  gun-tube  and  threw 
it  upon  the  ground  with  no  more  signs  of  fear,  and  about  as  much  of 
excitement  and  impatience  as  if  he  had  just  snapped  at  a  squirrel,  and  his 
gun  had  missed  fire.'"  This  was  James  F.  Marshall. 

After  the  brigade  had  fallen  back  to  the  first  line  of  intrenchments,  the 
officer  in  command  of  the  provost  line  came  up  from  the  rear,  and  re 
ported  that  most  of  one  of  the  regiments  were  back  in  the  ravine,  referring 
to  those  who  had  escaped  unharmed  from  the  charge.  In  reply  to  an 
inquiry  if  there  were  many  of  the  Twelfth  boys  back  there,  he  replied: 
"  Yes,  lots  of  them,  but  all  severely  wounded." 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Murry,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth 
New  York,  in  conversation  with  some  other  officers  about  the  perilous 
position  of  the  Twelfth  in  leading  the  charge,  and  whose  regiment,  it  will 
be  remembered,  did  not  advance  beyond  the  outer  line  of  intrenchments, 
up  to  which  they  had  skirmished,  made  this  remark  :  "  My  God  !  I  never 
expected  to  see  a  regiment  march  into  the  jaws  of  death,  without  flinch 
ing,  as  that  regiment  did." 

Alvin  Mitchell,  of  Company  K,  was  the  first  man  hit  in  the  regiment 
after  the  charge  was  ordered,  being  wounded  in  the  arm  just  as  the  line 
left  the  woods.  Several  of  the  men  had  their  muskets  shattered  in  their 
hands,  or  knocked  out  of  them,  and  one  had  his  gun  barrel  cut  entirely 
off.  Many  of  the  companies  had  less  than  a  dozen  men  left  in  the  ranks 
after  the  charge,  and  some  of  them  less  than  half  that  number.  "  Company 
A,"  says  Sergeant  Lavvler,  "came  out  of  the  charge  with  only  five  whole 
men."  It  advanced  a  few  moments  before  with  one  officer  and  twenty- 
one  men.  Lieutenant  Dunn  and  ten  men  were  killed,  and  six  were 
severely  wounded. 


216  History  oj  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Company  B,  according  to  the  record  of  Orderly  Sergeant  Paige,  went 
in  with  the  same  number  of  men  and  came  out  with  but  four  left,  and 
those,  like  the  five  saved  from  Company  A,  had  their  clothes  and  equip 
ments  perforated  or  torn  by  bullets  or  pieces  of  shells.  In  this  com 
pany  three  were  killed  and  fourteen  wounded,  but  not  all  of  the  latter 
were  reported  because  not  seriously  injured.  Company  H,  though  not 
suffering  so  severely  as  those  in  the  first  division,  was  so  reduced  in  officers, 
that  Corporal  Daniel  M.  Huntoon  was  the  only  man  of  any  rank  left  to 
command  the  company.  While  the  skirmishers  from  the  Twelfth,  al 
ready  referred  to,  were  digging  holes  for  their  protection,  on  the  after 
noon  of  the  3d,  Captain  Heath  reported  as  having  counted  twelve  bullets 
that  struck,  in  as  many  minutes,  a  tree  over  the  boys'  heads.  The  reader 
will  not  wonder,  from  this  little  incident  alone,  at  what  the  author  has  said 
about  the  anxiety  of  the  men  to  get  their  heads  below  the  surface  of  the 
ground.  George  W.  Pitman,  a  drummer  of  Company  B,  relates,  that  he 
saw  two  men  wounded  by  a  bullet,  at  the  same  time,  while  dipping  coffee 
out  of  a  camp  kettle. 

One  day  a  staff  officer  came  up  to  the  line  of  intrenchments  where  the 
regiment  was  lying,  and  was  about  to  look  through  his  field  glass  at  the 
rebel  works  when  he  was  told  by  Sergeant  Tilton,  of  Company  F,  in  his 
dry,  joking  way,  that  he  had  better  look  out  for  "Johnny  Sharp"  while 
he  was  looking.  The  officer  only  cast  a  reproachful  glance  at  the  speaker 
in  return  for  the  timely  advice,  and  commenced  to  take  his  visual  survey 
of  things  in  front.  The  Sergeant  said  to  himself,  as  he  resents  my  advice 
I  will  say  no  more,  but  I  will  have  that  glass  in  a  minute,  and  he  did,  as 
the  officer  had  no  further  use  for  it,  having  taken  his  last  look. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  nth,  after  being  in  the  front  line  of  trenches 
for  ten  days  and  nights  the  Twelfth  was  relieved,  and  marched  back  about 
half  a  mile  and  remained  there  for  the  remainder  of  the  day  and  the 
following  night.  What  this  short  move  back  from  the  enemy's  fire  meant, 
no  one  of  the  regiment  knew,  but  when  it  was  continued  at  10  o'clock  the 
next  day  in  the  direction  of  the  White  House,  the  hope  already  enter 
tained,  was  strengthened,  that  they  were  on  the  return  route  to  the  Army 
of  the  James. 

And  such  proved  to  be  the  fact,  the  long  line  of  ambulances,  loaded 
with  the  wounded,  having  passed  over  the  road  several  days  before. 
Among  the  many  of  the  Twelfth  that  had  been  sent  back  to  the  provisional 
hospital  at  the  White  House  was  Captain  Shackford,  the  old  commander 
of  Company  E,  and  William  B.  Welch,  one  of  the  original  members  of 
the  same  company. 

Special  mention  is  made  of  them  here,  because  both  received  more 
dangerous  wounds  in  the  charge  than  any  other  man  in  the  regiment  who 
survived,  and  because  of  the  suffering  that  each  endured  in  his  ambu 
lance  ride  over  that  long  and  rough  road.  Welch  was  wounded  seven 
times,  and  Shackford  was  so  many  times  and  badly  wounded,  that  Lieut. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  217 

A.  St.  Clair  Smith,  who  was  also  wounded,  and  rode  in  the  same  ambu 
lance  with  him,  thought  he  would  not  live  to  get  to  the  river. 

The  regiment  arrived  at  the  landing  a  little  before  dark,  thoroughly 
exhausted,  for  they  were  so  worn  down  when  they  started  that  their 
march  of  seventeen  miles,  even  toward  home,  was  more  than  all  could 
endure,  and  the  weaker  ones  had  to  fall  out  on  the  way.  That  even 
ing  part  of  the  regiment  embarked  on  the  same  boat  that  brought 
them,  and  steamed  down  to  West  Point,  remaining  there  until  daylight 
the  next  day.  The  remainder  of  the  regiment  boarded  the  "  Daniel 
Webster"  which  remained  at  anchor  near  the  wharf  all  night.  The  first 
named  boat  proceeded  on  its  backward  trip  to  near  Harrison's  Landing 
on  the  James,  where  it  anchored  for  the  night  at  about  8.30  P.  M.  the 
next  day  ;  but  the  '-'Webster"  reached  Bermuda  Hundred  the  same  even 
ing  where  the  men  landed  at  once  and  marched  four  miles  to  Point  of 
Rocks  on  the  Appomattox,  after  a  few  hours'  rest,  resumed  their  march 
toward  Petersburg. 

The  other  boat  left  its  anchorage  on  the  James  about  light  in  the  morn-, 
ing,  and  being  of  light  draft,  steamed  up  the  Appomattox  to  Point  of 
Rocks,  landing  its  troops  there  a  few  hours  after  the  rest  of  the  regiment, 
with  most  of  the  brigade,  had  left.  It  was  nearly  4  o'clock  in  the  after 
noon  of  the  i5th,  before  the  different  parts  of  the  regiment  and  brigade 
united  near  Petersburg,  to  which  place  the  whole  Eighteenth  Corps  was 
now  pushing  as  rapidly  as  possible,  so  as  to  capture  it  before  the  Con 
federate  forces  could  reoccupy  it,  for  it  had  been  left  nearly  defenseless 
after  Beauregard's  troops  had  joined  Lee.  Becoming  satisfied  of  this, 
General  Butler  had  sent  General  Gillmore,  with  several  thousand  men,  to 
capture  it,  while  Grant  was  fighting  Lee  at  Cold  Harbor  ;  and  according 
to  his  account,  it  could  very  easily  have  been  done  if  Gillmore  had  half 
done  his  duty.  And  even  now  it  was  not  too  late,  if  only  General  Smith 
had  been  as  quick  and  vigorous  in  his  movements  as  Grant  designed, 
Butler  urged,  and  duty  demanded.  But  again,  Petersburg  was  saved  to 
the  Confederacy  by  the  needless,  if  not  willful  delay  of  one  of  our  own 
generals. 

It  is  sad,  even  now,  to  reflect  how  many  times  our  armies  were  defeated 
from  the  want  of  our  leading  commanders  having  any  practical  appre 
ciation  of  the  value  of  time.  General  Lee  truly  said,  though  his  words 
were  figurative,  that  he  lost  his  right  arm  when  "  Stonewall"  Jackson  fell ; 
but  it  was  legs  more  than  arms  that  made  Jackson  so  valuable  to  his  chief. 
When  the  occasion  demanded  his  presence,  he  was  there  ;  while  simi 
lar  demands  upon  our  leaders  were  either  entirely  disregarded  or  tardily 
obeyed. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

SIEGE  OF  PETERSBURG. 

The  Siege  of  Petersburg,  as  it  is  usually  called,  includes  the  whole 
period  between  the  transfer  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  across  the  James, 
after  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  and  the  capture  of  that  city  and  the  evac 
uation  of  Richmond  ;  or  from  the  middle  of  June,  1864,  to  the  first  of 
April,  1865. 

For  nearly  a  year,  therefore,  after  the  sledge  hammer  blows  received 
at  Spottsylvania  and  the  Wilderness,  and  in  spite  of  the  best  efforts  of  his 
great  antagonist,  who  continued  to  strike  him  at  every  favorable  time  and 
place,  did  Lee  and  his  army  successfully  defend  both  Petersburg  and 
Richmond.  Grant's  line,  during  many  months  of  this  time,  extended  from 
Fort  Harrison  on  the  north  of  the  James  to  the  Weldon  Railroad  south  of 
Petersburg,  a  distance  of  at  least  twenty  miles.  But  it  is  only  of  that  part 
of  this  line,  lying  southwest  of  the  Appomattox  and  which  more  immedi 
ately  invested  the  city,  that  can  be  properly  referred  to  in  this  history  as 
the  Siege  of  Petersburg.  Here  the  lines  were  drawn  close  and  the 
approaches  regularly  made  under  the  enemy's  constant  fire. 

To  give  anything  like  a  detailed  account  of  the  part  taken  by  the 
Twelfth  Regiment  in  this  long  and  memorable  struggle,  would  be  much 
like  writing  a  history  of  the  siege  itself,  not  because  it  did  or  suffered 
any  more  than  many  other  regiments,  but  because  the  experience  of  one 
was  very  largely  the  experience  of  all.  It  was  one  contined  routine  of 
hardship  and  danger  day  and  night,  whether  lying  in  the  trenches  —  over 
heated  by  the  scorching  sun  or  half  filled  by  drenching  rains  —  or  trying 
to  get  a  little  comfort  and  rest  beneath  a  shower  of  shells  when  lying  in 
reserve.  In  fact  most  of  the  troops  were  quite  as  much  or  more  exposed 
when  out  of  the  trenches  than  in,  though  the  advance  works  were  close 
into  the  face  and  eyes  of  the  enemy,  the  front  lines  in  many  places  being 
only  a  few  yards  apart. 

A  siege,  to  the  soldiers  of  both  the  investing  and  defending  armies,  is 
hard  and  hazardous,  even  beyond  the  hardships  and  dangers  of  the  aver 
age  service  of  the  march  and  the  battlefield,  for  it  is  a  continuous  wear  of 
muscle  and  strain  of  nerve  that  soon  break  down  or  seriously  affect  the 
strongest  constitution.  No  soldier  who  has  once  experienced  it  for  any 
length  of  time,  cares  to  again  be  counted  in  on  either  side.  The  living 
heroes  of  Port  Hudson  and  Vicksburg,  as  well  as  of  Petersburg,  whether 


JVew  Hampshire   Volunteers.  219 

then  wearing  the  blue  or  the  gray,  will  not  be  inclined  to  dispute  this 
statement.  The  unavoidable  exposure  to  nature's  elements  lengthens  the 
death  list,  from  disease  alone,  far  beyond  the  average  rate  in  camp  or  field. 
No  matter  how  cold  and  wet  the  night,  or  hot  and  dry  the  day,  the 
trenches  though  half  filled  with  mud  and  water,  or  blistering  hot  beneath 
a  torrid  sun,  must  be  manned. 

Then  the  men  are  not  only  constantly  under  fire,  whether  asleep  or 
awake,  and  exposed  to  dangers  on  every  side,  but  from  the  earth  beneath 
and  the  heavens  above  come  engines  and  missiles  of  destruction  —  explod 
ing  mines  and  torpedoes  under  foot,  and  hand  grenades  and  coehorn 
mortar  shells  overhead  —  to  wound  and  kill. 

Along  the  front  line  of  trenches  on  either  side  the  crack  of  the  sharp 
shooter's  rifle  is  constantly  heard  through  the  day  and  not  unfrequently 
during  the  night,  and  the  soldier  that  shows  his  head  above  the  works, 
does  it  in  reckless  defiance  of  his  unerring  aim.  Men  in  the  outer  lines 
or  in  the  rear  of  the  works  are  also  being  shot  down  almost  every  hour  by 
the  long  range  riflemen  who  from  behind  some  tree,  stump,  or  rock,  or 
from  salient  angle  that  commands  the  enemy's  front  are  constantly  on  the 
watch  for  a  human  target  and  especially  for  one  wearing  the  uniform  of 
an  officer. 

To  protect  the  men  from  these  sharpshooters  as  well  as  from  an  enfilad 
ing  fire  from  the  enemy's  salients,  traverse  trenches  and  covered  ways  are 
constructed,  and  notwithstanding  these,  reliefs  are  obliged  to  go  into  and 
out  of  the  works  under  cover  of  darkness. 

If  a  line  is  to  be  straightened  or  a  near  approach  made,  a  dark  cloudy 
night  is  selected  —  if  stormy  all  the  better — when  the  men,  each  with 
gun  and  spade,  go  out  over  the  works  and  lying  down,  so  many  paces 
from  the  front  line  and  three  or  five  from  each  other,  commence  digging, 
often  times  using  at  first  their  bayonets  and  dippers,  so  as  not  to  make 
any  noise  until  they  have  dug  a  hole  big  and  deep  enough  to  lie  down  in, 
and  then  writh  their  shovels  slowly  and  cautiously  sink  themselves  deep 
enough  to  work  upon  their  knees  until  they  can  stand  up,  when  by  lateral 
excavation  to  the  right  and  left  a  continuous  trench  four  or  five  feet  deep 
is  soon  dug  which,  with  the  dirt  all  thrown  out  toward  the  enemy,  affords 
temporary  protection  for  more  men  that  are  sent  in  to  work  in  widening 
the  ditch  and  at  the  same  time  strengthening  the  mound,  so  that  when 
daylight  appears  the  enemy  is  surprised  to  find  himself  confronted  by  a 
new  line  of  works  which  is  quite  sure  to  prove  of  no  particular  advantage 
to  him. 

In  the  same  way  vedette  holes  for  the  infantry  pickets  are  dug,  except 
that  the  spade  or  shovel  is  more  often  absent  than  present,  and  when, 
either  on  picket  or  fatigue  duty,  the  silent  moving  and  working  soldier  is 
fortunate  enough  to  get  himself  "  covered"  without  hearing  the  "  zip"  or 
feeling  the  wind  of  a  minie  bullet  he  thinks  himself  lucky  indeed,  for  he 
works  in  constant  expectation  of  a  flying  visit  from  one  of  these  unwel 
come  messengers.*  *  See  anecdote. 


22O  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Having  given  the  reader  a  brief  reference  to  some  of  the  general  fea 
tures  of  a  siege,  that  he  may  better  understand  and  appreciate  the  sol 
dier's  duty  and  danger  in  the  work,  the  author  will  now  proceed  to 
give  a  skeleton  sketch  of  that  part  taken  by  the  Twelfth  Regiment  in 
the  siege  of  Petersburg ;  and  to  break  the  tiresome  monotony  of  historic 
narrative  in  the  usual  form,  he  has  thought  it  advisable  to  write  it  in  the 
form  and  style  of  a  diary.  And,  indeed,  much  of  it  will  be  but  a  copy  of 
daily  memoranda  made  by  himself  and  other  members  of  the  regiment 
during  the  seventy-two  days  it  was  in  the  immediate  front  of  the  city  and 
its  fortifications. 

June  15,  1864.  Not  as  we  hoped,  do  we  find  ourselves  in  our  old 
pleasant  camping  ground  that  we  left  a  little  more  than  two  weeks  ago  on 
the  Bermuda  front.  It  would  seem  as  if  the  Twelfth  had  seen  enough  of 
toil  and  danger,  and  suffered  loss  enough  for  this  month  to  have  a  short  rest. 
But  here  we  are  in  front  of  the  enemy  again,  and  from  the  way  they  hurried 
us  here  it  looks  as  if  a  fight  for  the  possession  of  Petersburg  is  close  at 
hand.  Line  of  battle  formed  by  our  brigade  about  six  o'clock  near  the 
outer  works,  exposed  to  the  enemy's  shells.  Two  men  wounded  in  Com 
pany  B.  It  is  reported  this  evening  that  our  advance  of  colored  troops 
have  taken  the  outer  works  of  the  enemy  and  have  captured  sixteen  guns. 

June  16.  Early  in  line  ;  advance  by  edge  of  woods  and  halt  until  noon. 
Our  brigade  in  reserve,  but  we  are  more  exposed  to  the  enemy's  artillery 
than  if  at  the  front  where  they  are  partially  protected.  At  2  p.  M.  the 
regiment  was  sent  out  on  picket  near  the  river  opposite  Fort  Clifton. 
Quiet  with  us  but  fighting  in  the  woods  on  the  left,  Sergeant  Clarke  and 
six  men  ordered  to  scout  the  front ;  they  found  our  gunboats  shelling  the 
fort.  Why  was  not  our  success  of  last  night  followed  up  before  now? 
Hancock's  corps  has  arrived.  Fighting  all  night  on  our  left. 

June  17.  Relieved  from  picket  by  the  Eighth  Maine  and  return  to  the 
edge  of  the  woods  and  lay  all  night.  Sharp  firing  in  direction  of  fort 
after  sundown,  many  sick  ;  only  one  sergeant  fit  for  duty  in  Company  C. 
Orders  to  be  ready  to  move.  A  very  hot  day. 

June  18.  Move  toward  the  city  ;  form  line  of  battle  and  advance  some 
distance.  Again  sent  on  picket  near  the  river  and  within  full  view  of 
Petersburg  which  ought  to  have  been  in  our  possession  before  now. 
Another  attack,  our  division  engaged.  Lucky  for  us  to  be  on  picket;  but 
this  evening  finds  us  in  the  front  line  as  skirmishers.  Timothy  Larey, 
Company  H,  wounded  by  one  of  our  own  shells. 

June  19.  On  the  skirmish  line  all  day.  Cloudy  but  hot.  "  The  boys 
fired  away  forty  rounds  of  cartridges  a  piece  to-day,  popping  away  at  the 
Johnnies  ;  do  not  think  they  ever  enjoyed  a  day  in  front  better.  The 
Twelfth  advanced  thirty  yards  nearer  the  rebel  works  than  any  other  regi 
ment  up  to  this  time."  (Captain  Barker.)  Relieved  from  the  fort  after 
dark  ;  march  about  three  miles  toward  Bermuda  Hundred  and  bivouac  for 
the  night.  Sergeant  Lane,  Company  G,  John  P.  Clay,  of  Company  I, 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  221 

and  three  more  men  wounded  and  sent  to  the  hospital.  Clay  thought  to  be 
mortally  wounded.  While  on  the  skirmish  line  some  of  our  men  got  into 
an  old  barn  from  which  they  kept  up  a  brisk  fire  until  the  rebels  opened 
upon  it  with  their  artillery  when  it  was  soon  vacated. 

June  20.  March  back  across  the  Appomattox  and  pitch  tents  about 
noon  in  regular  order;  what  does  it  mean?  About  midnight  we  are 
awakened  from  our  dreams  of  special  duty,  "  soft  job,"  etc.,  by  orders  to 
draw  four  days  rations,  take  sixty  rounds  of  cartridges  and  be  ready  to 
move  at  4  P.  M. 

June  21.  Strike  tents  and  march  back  again  to  front  of  Petersburg. 
Rest  in  field  until  dark,  and  then  go  into  second  line  of  works  and  remain 
there  all  night. 

June  22.     Lie  in  trenches  all   day. 

June  23.  The  Johnnies  made  an  attempt  to  drive  us  out  last  night 
about  12  o'clock,  but  were  glad  to  get  back  behind  their  works.  The 
balls  came  thick  and  fast.  Lieutenant  Ricker  slightly  wounded  in  face. 
Regiment  in  trenches  until  evening,  then  relieved  and  bivouac  in  ravine. 
Sanitary  stores  distributed.  The  enemy  attacked  Hinks's  colored  troop 
in  the  night  but  was  repulsed.  Shells  flying  about  us  "right  smart" 
to-day  but  we  mind  but  little  about  them.  A  very  hot  day.  Captain  Bar 
ker  has  to-day  drawn  this  pen  picture  of  the  quarters  and  their  exposure 
to  the  enemy's  fire.  "  A  hole  in  the  ground  eight  feet  by  nine  and  four 
feet  deep  with  a  parapet  on  three  sides  two  feet  above  the  surface.  A 
carpet  of  cedar  sprigs  and  a  roof  covering  of  locust,  cedar,  and  oak 
boughs,  and  green  cornstocks,  supported  by  poles  laid  across  the  top  of 
the  parapet  and  through  which  the  bullets  are  constantly  rattling,  some 
with  a  low  hum  and  some  with  a  spiteful  hiss.  I  will  ven 

ture  to  say  that  not  less  than  twenty  shells  have  been  thrown  by  and  over 
my  quarters  since  writing  this  letter."  Sergeant  Clarke,  of  Company  C, 
acting  as  lieutenant  writes  under  this  date:  "The  regiment  has  been 
under  fire  twenty-six  days  and  nights  and  in  five  pitched  battles  since 
leaving  Williamsburg  about  a  month  and  a  half  ago."  John  P.  Clay, 
wounded  on  the  ipth,  died  to-day  in  hospital. 

June  24.  "Just  as  we  were  hoping  to  get  a  little  rest  the  enemy  opened 
upon  us  and  we  were  subjected  to  a  tremendous  shelling,  but  almost  mi 
raculously  only  one  or  two  of  the  Twelfth  injured."  (Captain  Barker.) 
Enemy  attempts  to  turn  our  right  but  were  repulsed  with  a  loss  of  five 
prisoners  beside  the  killed  and  wounded.  John  A.  Wiggin,  Company 
K,  wounded  to-day  and  one  or  two  others.  Awfully  hot  day  ;  lucky  not 
to  be  in  rifle  pits. 

June  25.  Still  in  the  ravine.  Clothing  drawn  and  issued.  At  night 
go  into  front  line  of  works  again.  Man  in  Company  A  wounded.  Orders 
to  move  last  night  countermanded. 

June  26.  In  trenches.  Rebel  battery  in  a  redan  right  in  front  of  us. 
Another  advance  of  the  enemy  repulsed.  Isaac  Strunk,  a  recruit  of  Com 
pany  A,  killed  to-day. 


222  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

June  27.     In  trenches  to-day,  in  ravine  at  night.     Oppressively  hot. 

June  28.  In  reserve.  Two  days  in  and  two  days  out  is  the  order  of 
duty  and  relief  now.  Little  cooler  to-day,  thank  God. 

June  29.  Cool  and  pleasant  morning.  Ten  men  detailed  as  sharp 
shooters.  Corporal  William  S.  Gray  and  John  Dow,  of  Company  F  ;  C. 
F.  Davis,  Company  A;  A.  B.  Locke,  Company  B;  H.  S.  Blake,  Com 
pany  E;  J.  Patterson,  Company  D  ;  D.  W.  Bogart,  Company  C  ;  A.  G. 
Farrer,  Company  H;  C.  S.  Gilman,  Company  G,  and  E.  H.  Nudd, 
Company  I. 

June  30.  Charge  made  on  rebel  works  at  4  P.  M.  After  our  repulse 
the  enemy  shell  us  most  unmercifully ;  they  evidently  mean  to  learn  the 
"Yanks"  better  than  to  try  and  break  their  ranks  again.  Heavy  mus 
ketry  and  artillery  fire  for  two  hours.  Thomas  Dalton,  drummer  of  Com 
pany  D,  killed,  and  Frank  Glancy,  Company  G,  severely  wounded  in  arm. 
Dalton  had  just  been  playing  cards  with  some  of  his  comrades.  He 
lived  but  a  few  minutes  after  his  thigh  was  shattered  by  a  shell.  When 
asked  if  he  wanted  to  send  any  word  to  his  mother,  who  lived  in  Man 
chester,  N.  H.,  he  said:  "Tell  her  I  am  dead,"  and  immediately  ex 
pired.  He  died  and  was  buried  near  where  he  received  the  fatal  wound. 

July  i.  Rebels  getting  familiar;  they  open  three  six-gun  batteries 
across  the  Appomattox  to-day  for  our  amusement.  This,  probably,  is  in 
retaliation  for  some  siege-gun  practice  we  have  been  giving  them  for 
the  last  day  or  two.  "  Petersburg  Express"  running  all  night.  About 
midnight  one  of  the  shells  set  fire  to  a  house  in  the  city  causing  quite  a 
commotion,  could  plainly  hear  the  bells  ringing,  etc.  John  Gorman, 
Company  G,  wounded  in  leg. 

July  2.  Move  reserve  camp  farther  up  the  ravine  to  partially  avoid 
the  enemy's  artillery.  To-night  go  back  into  trenches.  Captain  Barker's 
horse  killed  by  a  shell.* 

July  3.  Quite  quiet  this  Sabbath  day.  Occupy  third  and  then  second 
line  of  works  and  are  severely  shelled  during  the  night.  Several 
wounded  by  shells  in  the  regiment. 

July  4.  In  the  first  and  second  lines  to-day.  Quiet  day  followed  by 
another  shell  storm  during  the  night.  John  Emerson,  of  Company  F, 
wrounded  to-day. 

July  5.  Regiment  in  second  line  of  works  all  day.  From  trenches  to 
ravine  at  night.  Brave  Dennis  Kelley,  of  Company  F,  shot  by  a  rebel 
sharpshooter,  died  this  morning.  He  was  cleaning  his  gun  only  a  few 
feet  from  Lieutenant  Ricker  when  the  ball  struck  him  in  the  head.  Com 
pany  F  boys  will  greatly  miss  him. 

July  6.  A  good  rest  in  reserve  to-day.  Cool  breeze,  but  very  dry  and 
dusty. 

July  7.  Grateful  for  a  slight  shower  this  morning.  Return  to  rifle 
pits  at  night.  Sergeant  Wallace,  color  bearer,  sick  and  little  Sergeant 
Taylor,  of  Company  C,  takes  his  place. 

*  See  anecdote. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  223 

July  8.  In  third  line  of  intrenchments  all  day.  Sharp  firing  toward 
night  but  soon  died  away.  One  man  in  Company  D  wounded.  Com 
pany  F  draws  rations  for  only  seven  men  to-day. 

July  9.  In  the  works  until  dark.  Several  wounded.  Another  very 
welcome  supply  of  much  needed  articles  of  food  and  medicines  from  the 
Sanitary  and  Christian  Commissions.  God  bless  them.  Isaac  Stevens, 
Company  K,  wounded  by  spent  ball.  Caleb  H.  Holt,  Company  C, 
severely  and  as  feared  mortally  wounded  in  trenches. 

July  10.  Very  hot  and  dry ;  roads  like  an  ash  heap.  Regiment  in 
reserve,  many  sick  and  some  discouraged ;  dark  days  about  this  time. 
Captain  Barker  writes  home  :  "  During  the  thirty-eight  months  I  have 
been  in  the  service  Richmond  never  looked  so  far  away  as  now." 

July  u.  Heavy  thunder — not  from  rebel  guns  but  from  the  heavens 
above,  a  welcome  change  indeed,  for  it  promises  a  shower  of  refreshing 
rain  instead  of  iron  hail,  but  we  get  only  a  slight  sprinkling.  Company 
G  has  boiled  pork  and  cabbage  (  ?)  for  dinner  !  The  missiles  of  death 
are  constantly  flying.  Colonel  Davis,  Thirty-ninth  Massachusetts,  in 
stantly  killed  by  a  shell  while  sitting  in  his  tent. 

July  12.  Pretty  quiet  all  along  the  line  to-day.  Sixth  Army  Corps 
going  or  gone  to  Washington.  If  the  "  rebs  "  get  our  capital  before  we 
do  theirs,  good  bye  to  Uncle  Sam.  Lying  here  in  the  trenches  is  wear 
ing  the  very  life  out  of  the  men.  Give  us  anything  but  a  summer  siege  in 
Dixie. 

July  13.  Chaplain  Ambrose,  may  his  life  be  spared  us,  is  building  a 
temporary  hospital  of  boughs  and  vines.  He  has  been  away  from  the  regi 
ment  awhile  at  corps  headquarters.  General  inspection  of  brigade  this 
afternoon.  Picket  and  artillery  firing  still  kept  up.  Brisk  shelling  at 
nine  this  morning. 

July  14.  In  ravine.  Second  and  Fifth  corps  drawn  in  from  the  left. 
Leveling  down  the  captured  works. 

July  15.  In  reserve  during  the  day,  go  into  third  line  of  trenches  at 
night.  Comfortable  day. 

July  16.     Move  up  to  first  line  after  dark.     Less  firing  than  usual. 

July  17.  Return  to  third  line  before  light  this  morning.  Can  only 
move  here  with  any  safety  under  the  cover  of  night,  and  then  very  silently 
as  every  sound  brings  a  bullet  or  a  shower  of  them. 

July  18.  Lying  in  reserve  all  day  ;  on  fatigue  duty  all  night,  leveling 
forts  in  rear  of  General  Smith's  headquarters.  W.  O.  Little,  musician, 
died  of  disease  to-day. 

July  19.  Raining  hard  all  day;  the  first  of  any  account  for  several 
weeks,  and  is  gladly  welcomed.  General  Ord  assigned  to  the  command 
of  the  Eighteenth  Army  Corps  in  place  of  General  "  Baldy  "  Smith  who 
has  been  relieved  from  command  and  sent  home  to  New  York.  That's 
the  way  the  generals  go,  but  the  boys  are  left  to  fight  on. 

July  20.     In  second  line  of  rifle-pits.     Thomas  Edwards,  of  Company 


224  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

K,  wounded  in  neck.  "Petersburg  Express"  making  its  regular  trips 
every  fifteen  minutes  to-day  again. 

July  21.  Fine  day,  cool  and  refreshing.  Captain  Smith  and  Lieuten 
ant  Miliken  return  to  regiment  to-day. 

July  22.  Only  one  hundred  and  fifteen  guns  in  regiment.  Company  G 
has  one  sergeant,  four  corporals,  and  eight  privates  for  duty  ;  other  com 
panies  in  like  proportion.  From  nearly  one  thousand  three  hundred  and 
fifty  to  little  over  one  hundred,  in  an  average  time  of  less  than  twenty 
months,  is  reduction  descending  at  so  rapid  a  ratio  as  to  be  startling  at  first 
thought  and  sad  to  contemplate. 

July  23.     Nothing  out  of  the  tiresome  old  routine  to-day. 

July  24.  Sad,  sad  indeed  this  Sabbath  day ;  Chaplain  Ambrose 
wounded  and  carried  away.  He  was  shot  by  a  sharpshooter  while  up  to 
the  front  attending  the  sick.  We  pray  that  his  wound  may  not  prove 
fatal,  for  heaven  can  wait  better  than  earth  can  spare. 

July  25.  Rained  here  part  of  the  night,  but  clears  up  this  forenoon. 
Regiment  in  the  intrenchments  all  day. 

July  26.  Nothing  new,  but  enough  of  the  old  boom  and  "  zip."  With 
no  sound  from  cannon  or  musket  for  half  an  hour  the  sleeping  would 
wake  up  for  want  of  a  lul-la-by  ;  and  half  a  day's  silence  would  frighten 
both  armies.  Night  and  day  here  is  "  Shriek  of  shot  and  scream  of  shell 
and  bellowing  of  the  mortar." 

July  27.  In  reserve  until  dark  and  then  into  front  line  as  usual.  A 
rainy  night,  but  we  manage  to  keep  our  powder  dry.  There  are  low 
whispers  of  a  great  assault  in  the  air  which  are  listened  to  with  ears  and 
mouth  open,  for  the  boys  are  ready  for  anything  for  a  change  though  it  be 
"  from  the  frying  pan  into  the  fire." 

July  28.  At  work  all  night  widening  ditches  and  strengthening  works- 
A  fire  seen  and  bells  heard  in  Petersburg  to-night.  In  front  line  again. 
"An  oldish  man  and  a  staff  officer  came  into  the  trenches  to-day  and 
took  several  looks  through  the  port  holes.  While  looking  through  one 
not  far  from  me,  a  rebel  bullet  struck  close  by  at  which  he  dodged 
back  and  smiled.  I  asked  the  staff' officer  who  he  was  and  he  told  me  it 
was  General  Meade.  He  had  no  stars  on."  (Sergeant  Lawler.) 

July  29.  Relieved  from  the  trenches  about  10  p.  M.  by  Second  Corps 
and  no  sooner  reach  our  reserve  camp  than  we  start  with  two  days  rations 
and  sixty  rounds  of  cartridges  for  the  left,  halting  near  General  Burn- 
side's  headquarters  about  midnight,  where  we  rest  until  about  4  A.  M. 

July  30.  This  has  been  a  terrible  day  in  more  respects  than  one. 
Rebel  fort  blown  up  at  4.40  this  morning  followed  by  terrific  cannonade 
from  our  side.  Then  the  assaulting  column  —  part  of  the  Ninth  Corps  — 
charges  into  the  breach  but  is  driven  back  and  the  whole  thing  is  a  sad 
failure.  There  has  evidently  been  a  blunder  somewhere  and  a  big  one. 
Thousands  slaughtered  for  nothing  ;  and  oh  !  the  dreadful  suffering  of  the 
wounded  men  lying  nearly  all  day  under  a  scorching  sun  in  that  crater  of 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers,  225 

death.  Our  corps,  the  Eighteenth,  held  in  reserve  and  the  regiment  conse 
quently  not  engaged,  but  exposed  to  the  rebel  artillery.  Adjutant  Heath 
slightly  wounded.  Colonel  Barker  gets  up  on  tip-toe  in  his  stirrups  when 
forming  the  brigade  line.*  At  5  P.  M.  return  to  reserve  camp. 

July  31.  Go  into  trenches  this  morning  at  3  o'clock,  relieving  the 
Tenth  Corps.  Moved  in  the  night  into  a  fort.  Johnnies  pretty  waspish, 
because  we  gave  them  a  "blowing  up"  yesterday.  One  of  them  said 
to  have  been  actually  blown  into  our  lines. 

August  i.  Lay  in  fort  to-day  lately  occupied  by  Tenth  Corps.  Flag 
of  truce  from  9  to  n  A.  M.  to  bury  the  dead  and  remove  some  of  the  badly 
wounded  whom  the  cruel  rebels  left  thereto  die.  Eight  or  ten  were  found 
still  living,  having  lain  on  the  field  uncovered  and  uncared  for  ever  since  the 
battle  Saturday  morning.  "  Man's  inhumanity  to  man  makes  countless 
millions  mourn."  We  are  beginning  to  believe  with  the  other  fellow  that 
"hell  is  a  military  necessity."  Tremendous  hot. 

August  2.  In  second  line  of  trenches  all  day.  Another  hot  day.  How 
gladly  the  men  would  swap  their  duties  here  for  the  labors  of  the  hay-fields 
at  home,  but  how  few  will  ever  live  to  experience  the  change. 

August  3.  In  trenches  until  night  when  part  of  the  regiment  go  on 
picket  in  charge  of  Captain  Johnston.  Ordered  up  at  3  A.  M.  expecting 
the  "  rebs  "  would  blow  up  the  fort.  Nothing  talked  about  but  a  blow 
up  now  and  many  of  the  soldiers  in  the  forts  actually  live  in  fear. 

August  4.  Picket  detail  comes  in  this  morning  and  joins  the  rest  of 
the  regiment  in  reserve  camp.  This  is  National  Fast  Day,  but  bullets 
instead  of  pulpits  is  what  is  needed  most  to  secure  success.  If  many  who 
attend  church  at  home  would  attend  roll-call  here  at  the  front,  they  would 
be  doing  much  more  to  deserve  Divine  favor  for  "  faith  without  works  is 
dead." 

August  5.  A  loud  explosion  this  afternoon,  thought  at  first  to  have 
been  another  fort  blown  up  but  proved  to  be  the  explosion  of  a  rebel 
magazine.  It  created  a  great  commotion  and  was  followed  by  a  heavy 
cannonade  from  both  sides  with  considerable  musketry.  We  thought  it 
was  one  of  our  forts  that  had  been  mined  and  probably  the  rebels  thought 
it  was  one  of  theirs,  and  so  the  men  on  both  sides  sprung  to  their  guns  and 
gave  us  a  lively  artillery  chorus  indeed.  Our  brigade  was  at  once  ordered 
to  the  front  under  a  shower  of  shells,  losing  many  men,  among  whom  was 
its  gallant  commander,  General  Steadman.  Our  regiment,  though 
equally  exposed  with  the  rest,  providentially  escaped  without  the  loss  of  a 
single  man  and  none  were  seriously  wounded.  A  shell  burst  between 
Colonel  Barker  and  Captain  Bedee  standing  not  over  twenty  feet  apart, 
but  neither  was  hit  by  a  single  piece.  Go  into  front  line  of  works  this 
evening. 

August  6.  Colonel  Steadman  breathed  his  last  this  morning  from 
wound  received  last  night  from  rebel  sharpshooter.  "  He  won  the 
respect  of  all  who  knew  him  and  the  announcement  that  Steadman  is  dead 

*  Incident  at  the  end  of  this  chapter. 


15 


226  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

carries  sorrow  to  every  heart  in  the  brigade."  (Captain  Barker.) 
Colonel  Murray,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  New  York,  in  command 
of  brigade  now.  All  day  roasting  in  rifle  pits. 

August  7.  In  front  line  praying  for  night  when  we  can  be  released. 
Captain  Barker  brigade  officer  of  the  day  ;  Captain  Bedee  sick  and  goes 
to  hospital  ;  and  Captain  Sanborn  in  command  of  regiment. 

August  8.  Again  in  reserve  and  thankful  for  it,  even  a  short  respite  is 
appreciated.  George  Pitman,  drummer  of  Company  B,  had  just  stepped 
out  of  a  bomb-proof  this  forenoon,  to  stretch  his  legs,  when  a  bullet  passed 
close  to  his  side  and  buried  itself  in  a  bank  of  dirt.  He  commenced  to 
dig  it  out  when  the  thought  occurred  to  him  that  if  the  bullet  came  from 
the  rifle  of  "Johnny  Sharp"  another  might  soon  follow  and  it  would  be 
dangerous  digging  much  longer  in  that  spot.  He  had  just  taken  a  step 
toward  the  bomb-proof  as  another  bullet  struck  so  close  to  the  first  that  it 
must  have  hit  him  if  he  had  not  moved.  But  this  is  only  one  of  many 
similar  close  shaves  that  the  boys  are  having  almost  every  day. 

August  9.  Noticeably  quiet  along  the  lines  this  morning  —  hope  it  will 
last  till  night.  Slight  shower  at  sunset,  first  rain  for  a  longtime,  except  a 
few  drops  one  night  about  a  week  ago.  The  average  mercury  mark  has 
not  been  less  than  eighty-five  degrees  for  the  last  two  weeks  and  many 
days  from  ten  to  twenty  degrees  higher.  A  great  explosion  of  some  kind 
at  or  near  City  Point. 

August  10.  In  the  trenches  swapping  minies  with  the  rebel  sharp 
shooters.  Out  of  two  hundred  and  five  men  "  present  or  accounted  for," 
only  one  hundred  and  eighteen  for  duty,  according  to  this  day's  report  of 
Lieutenant  Ricker,  Acting  Adjutant.  Many  sick  and  excused  from  duty, 
and  no  wonder  either.  The  explosion  at  City  Point  yesterday,  proves 
to  have  been  two  barges  loaded  with  ammunition.  Many  killed  and 
wounded. 

August  ii.  In  first  line  again  to-day.  The  customary  artillery  duel  is 
being  fought  between  the  opposing  armies.  The  amount  of  powder  harm 
lessly  burned  by  both  sides  can  be  reckoned  by  the  ton.  If  a  man  was 
killed  or  disabled  for  every  shell  or  projectile  thrown,  since  this  siege 
commenced,  there  would  be  not  a  single  "  Yank"  or  "Johnny  "  left  now 
to  continue  the  fight,  to  say  nothing  about  musket  balls. 

August  12.  Another  sharp  artillery  duel  early  this  morning.  Regi 
ment  in  reserve.  Very  hot  day. 

August  13.  In  camp  until  dark  then  forty  men  detailed  for  picket,  the 
rest  go  into  trenches.  The  enemy  gives  us  a  double  dose  of  his  shells  this 
afternoon  ;  some  of  our  guns  respond,  and  there  is  cannon  thunder  enough 
to  shake  the  skies  and  frighten  all  the  buzzards  out  of  Virginia. 

August  14.  In  trenches  ;  removal  to  the  right  in  the  night.  Captain 
Johnston  in  command  of  regiment  to-day.  Hot  this  morning,  showery 
this  afternoon,  raining  at  night. 

August  15.     Hot  and  sultry  in  forenoon  and  a  tremendous  shower  this 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  227 

afternoon  —  a  real  deluge  converting  the  ravine  in  a  short  time  into  a 
rushing  torrent  of  water  several  feet  deep.  Great  damage  done  to  Com 
missary  and  sutler  stores  and  several  men  reported  drowned,  according 
to  reports  as  many  as  seventeen.  Lucky  for  once  to  be  in  the  trenches 
as  being  much  the  safer  place  of  the  two,  and  lucky  again  in  being  relieved 
this  evening,  for  the  trenches  are  half  full  of  water.  News  to-day  of  the 
light  bet\veen  the  Alabama  and  ICearsarge;  hurrah  for  our  side  ! 
Daniel  H.  Webber,  Company  G,  wounded  early  this  morning.  It  is 
feared  his  wound  will  prove  fatal.  Few  better  boys  ever  in  the  regiment 
than  he. 

August  16.  Removed  reserve  camp  this  afternoon  about  one  half-mile 
down  the  ravine,  opposite  our  place  in  the  trenches,  and  on  a  little  hill  so 
as  not  to  be  washed  away  by  another  flood.  Poor  Webber  died  of  his 
wounds  to-day.  Another  good  man  gone.  How  many,  alas  !  how  many 
more  before  this  cruel  war  will  end?  Another  shower  this  afternoon. 
Water  two  or  three  feet  deep  in  some  of  the  trenches,  and  all  of  them  any 
thing  but  comfortable  places  to  stay  in  —  crumbling  ditches  of  mud  and 
water,  regular  mortar  beds  where  the  men  must  lie,  or  show  their  heads 
above  and  die.  Oh  !  what  a  privilege  is  given  us  here  to  suffer  and  die 
for  our  country.  "  Who  wouldn't  be  a  soldier?" 

August  17.  In  newr  reserve  camp  where  we  moved  to  yesterday.  Hot 
day  ;  another  shower  this  afternoon.  But  little  firing  to-day.  Both  sides 
evidently  trying  to  keep  their  powder  dry. 

August  18.  This  morning  about  10  o'clock  we  were  aroused  by  a 
terrific  shelling  from  the  enemy's  works  in  our  front :  our  guns  reply  and 
for  several  hours  there  was  a  grand  pyrotechnic  display.  Captain  Bar 
ker  writes:  "It  was  literally  a  shower  of  shells  that  threatened  general 
destruction  of  everything  within  its  sweep.  Though  the  shells  dropped 
and  burst  all  around  and  some  in  our  very  midst,  strange  to  say,  none  of 
the  little  iron-clad  remnant  of  the  Twelfth  were  injured.  After  witnessing 
the  scene  for  about  two  hours  I  '  turned  in'  and  went  to  sleep,  and  while 
dreaming  of  a  Fourth  of  July  celebration  at  home,  I  was  awakened  by 
an  orderly  bringing  orders  to  have  the  regiment  under  arms  at  once 
ready  to  repel  an  attack  which  was  expected  to  come  after  the  cannon 
ade."  This  is  the  third  or  fourth  time  that  this  regiment  has  been  in 
almost  the  very  centre  of  the  enemy's  fire  and  escaped  with  little  or  no  loss. 
It  seems  as  if  each  one  of  us  left  belongs  to  the  elect,  and  is  proof  against 
shot  and  shells.  But  every  day  must  have  its  victim,  and  George  H.  San- 
born,  of  Company  F,  was  shot  this  afternoon"  by  a  sharpshooter.  He  had 
just  brought  up  rations  for  his  company,  and  had  just  been  warned  of  his 
danger.  Fifty  men  go  out  on  picket  to-night.  Showers  again  this  after 
noon  and  evening. 

August  19.  About  midnight  both  sides  let  loose  again  the  savage  bull 
dogs  of  war,  and  they  continued  to  howl  and  roar  till  morning,  but  they 
came  not  very  near  us.  Regiment  in  trenches.  Lieutenant  Batchelder 


228  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

wounded  by  shell  while  trying  to  get  a  nap  in  the  works  the  men  had 
been  strengthening.  Raining  most  all  day  and  night.  Everything  by 
extremes  here  in  this  God-forsaken  country,  either  drying  up  or  drown 
ing.  Everybody  wet  and  cross,  why  not? 

August  20.  Raining  and  shelling  again  as  usual.  We  got  drenched 
through  and  through  in  the  trenches  last  night  and  buried  in  the  mud,  and 
still  the  heavens  are  open  ;  who  will  ever  pray  for  rain  again?  We  need 
no  more  Elijahs,  but  if  a  second  Joshua  would  come  to  stay  the  sun  in  the 
heavens  until  we  could  get  dried  off,  he  would  confer  a  great  blessing  on 
us  all.  One  of  the  recruits  of  Company  K,  severely  wounded  by  shell 
to-day. 

August  21.  Another  one  o'clock  salute  from  the  "Johnnies"  this 
morning  and  our  brigade  catches  it  again  "  hot  and  heavy."  They  kept 
the  shells  flying  into  our  camp  until  roll-call.  A  long,  loud  reveille  they 
give  us  about  every  morning  lately ;  they  evidently  don't  want  us  to 
become  sluggards.  Toward  noon  there  was  a  heavy  discharge  of  mus 
ketry  from  our  lines  in  front,  nobody  knows  here  what  started  it,  but 
probably  another  attempt  to  break  our  lines,  or  a  feint  by  one  side  or  the 
other  to  cover  some  more  important  movement.  Orders  for  our  division 
to  move  this  afternoon ;  march  about  a  mile  to  the  left  near  where  the 
fort  was  blown  up  and  relieve  a  part  of  the  Second  Corps  which  goes  with 
other  troops  toward  the  left.  But  little  firing  here  between  the  lines. 
Some  rain  to-day  for  a  rarity. 

August  22.  Remain  quietly  here  until  2  p.  M.  when  we  get  orders  to 
pack  up  expecting  to  follow  the  other  troops  that  left  yesterday.  Move 
about  dark  thirty  paces  to  the  left,  and  in  about  two  hours  more  again, 
but  this  time  about  one  hundred  paces  toward  the  right  —  half  the  night 
in  doing  it.  "  This  is  military  "  as  the  boys  ironically  designate  all  such 
seemingly  absurd  movements,  and  there  are  many  of  them. 

August  23.  Under  arms  all  the  time  from  sunset  last  night  until  2 
o'clock  this  morning.  The  rest  of  the  night  obliged  to  stand  up  or  lie 
down  in  soft  beds  of  mud,  and  this  morning  we  are  ordered  into  the 
trenches,  and  all  this  through  another  night  of  rain!  But  the  long 
wished  for  and  needful  change  has  come  we  hope  at  last.  The  sky  is 
getting  clear  and  the  glorious  sun  once  more  appears  and  asserts  his  right 
ful  sovereignty  over  the  deluged  earth. 

August  24.  In  reserve  camp  to-day.  At  dark  orders  came  to  march 
to  Bermuda  Front,  but  are  soon  countermanded  and  ordered  to  be  ready  to 
move  into  the  intrenchments.  Pack  up  ready  to  move  to  the  front  or 
rear,  but  remain  in  camp  all  night.  Deserters  report  that  the  rebel  govern 
ment  is  conscripting  every  one  old  and  young  who  can  carry  a  gun. 
"  Cousin  Jeff"  is  getting  into  a  tight  place  "  I  rec'on." 

August  25.  Break  camp  at  half  past  four  this  morning,  march  to  and 
across  the  Appomattox  and  halt  near  our  old  place  in  the  works  at  Ber 
muda  front.  The  boys  are  all  worn  down  and  glad  to  get  out  from  under 


Ne-w  Hampshire.   Volunteers.  229 

the  enemy's  guns,  if  only  for  a  few  hours,  so  that  they  can  have  a  little 
rest.  A  hot  and  weary  march,  but  we  are  encouraged  by  the  hope  of 
being  relieved  for  a  while  from  the  sufferings  and  dangers  we  are  leaving 
behind  us. 

From  the  i5th  of  June  to  the  25th  of  August,  a  period  of  seventy-two 
days,  inclusive,  the  regiment  had  been  under  fire  every  day  and  every  night 
but  one,  and  about  half  of  the  time  in  the  trenches.  The  loss  had  been 
nine  killed  or  fatally  injured  and  fifteen  or  more  wounded.*  Among  those 
mortally  wounded  was  Chaplain  Thomas  L.  Ambrose  who  died  at  Hamil 
ton  hospital  near  Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  August  16,  1864.  His  death  was 
a  great  and  irreparable  loss  to  the  regiment.  For  sometime  during  the 
siege  he  had,  with  untiring  energy,  acted  in  the  fourfold  capacity  of  chap 
lain,  surgeon,  nurse,  and  messenger,  for  the  regiment  had  neither  of  its 
physicians  with  it  for  a  while  before  he  was  wounded  as  it  did  not  during 
the  remainder  of  the  siege  and  for  a  long  time  afterward. 

The  chaplain's  early  knowledge  of  medicine  was  therefore  of  great 
advantage  to  him  in  his  care  and  nursing  of  the  sick.  With  his  own  hands 
he  improvised  hospitals  and  took  charge  of  them,  making  of  himself  a  min 
istering  angel  to  all  who  came  within  his  reach,  his  good  deeds  being 
bounded  only  by  his  time  and  ability  to  do  them. 

Something  more  than  the  brief  mention  already  made  ought  perhaps  to 
be  written  concerning  the  battle  of  the  "•  Mine,"  or  "  Cemetery  Hill,"  on 
the  30th  of  July,  1864.  Although  the  Twelfth  took  no  active  part  in  the 
fighting  it  was  present,  ready  and  waiting  to  move  with  its  brigade,  as  it 
was  expected  and  intended  that  the  whole  corps  should,  as  soon  as  a 
lodgment  of  our  own  advance  troops  —  General  Ledlie's  division  of  the 
Ninth  Corps  —  should  be  made  within  the  enemy's  lines.  The  idea  of  min 
ing  the  enemy's  works  first  orignated  with  Lieutenant-Colonel  Pleasants 
of  the  Forty-eighth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  the  whole  work  was  engi 
neered  by  himself  and  performed  by  his  regiment  under  the  most  discour 
aging  circumstances.  But  the  colonel  and  his  men  knew  their  business, 
being  all  from  the  coal  regions  of  their  State,  and  persevered  to  the  end. 

The  fort  undermined  was  on  Burnside's  front  and  known  by  the  rebels 
as  "  Elliott's  Salient."  It  was  about  one  hundred  yards  from  our  front  line, 
and  was  occupied  at  the  time  of  the  explosion  by  Pegram's  battery  and 
the  whole  of  the  Eighteenth  and  a  part  of  the  Twenty-second  South  Caro 
lina  Infantry,  amounting  in  all  to  two  hundred  and  seventy-eight  officers 
and  men — all  asleep  except  the  guards  —  that  were  hurled  without  a 
moment's  warning  hundreds  of  feet  into  the  air,  and  many  of  them  into 
eternity. 

We  quote  from  Colonel  Pleasant's  testimony  before  the  "Committee 
on  the  Conduct  of  the  War  "  : 

My  regiment  was  only  about  four  hundred  strong.  At  first  I  employed  but  a 
few  men  at  a  time,  but  the  number  was  increased  as  the  work  progressed  until  at 

*  See  table  of  losses. 


230  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

last  I  had  to  use  the  whole  regiment,  non-commissioned  officers  and  all.  The 
great  difficulty  I  had  was  to  dispose  of  the  material  got  out  of  the  mine.  I  found 
it  impossible  to  get  any  assistance  from  anybody;  I  had  to  do  all  the  work  my 
self.  I  had  to  remove  all  the  earth  in  old  cracker  boxes.  I  got  pieces  of  hick 
ory  and  nailed  on  to  the  boxes  in  which  we  received  our  crackers  and  then  iron 
clad  them  with  hoops  of  iron  taken  from  old  pork  and  beef  barrels.  *  *  *  * 

Whenever  I  made  an  application  I  could  not  get  anything,  although  General 
Burnside  was  very  favorable  to  it.  The  most  important  thing  was  to  ascertain 
how  far  I  had  to  mine ;  because  if  I  fell  short  of  or  went  beyond  the  proper 
place  the  explosion  would  have  no  practical  effect. 

Therefore  I  wanted  an  accurate  instrument  with  which  to  make  the  necessary 
triangulations.  I  had  to  make  them  on  the  farthest  front  line  where  the  enemy's 
sharpshooters  could  reach  me.  I  could  not  get  the  instrument  I  wanted  although 
there  was  one  at  army  headquarters  and  General  Burnside  had  to  send  to  Wash 
ington  and  get  an  old-fashioned  theodolite  which  was  given  to  me.  *  *  *  * 
General  Burnside  told  me  that  General  Meade,  and  Major  Duane,  chief  engineer 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  said  the  thing  could  not  be  done  —  that  it  was  all 
clap-trap  and  nonsense  ;  that  such  a  length  of  mine  had  never  been  excavated  in 
military  operations  and  could  not  be ;  that  I  would  either  get  the  men  smothered 
for  want  of  air  or  crushed  by  the  falling  of  the  earth ;  or  the  enemy  would  find  it 
out  and  it  would  amount  to  nothing.  I  could  get  no  boards  or  lumber  supplied 
to  me  for  my  operations.  I  had  to  get  a  pass  and  send  two  companies  of  my  own 
regiment  with  wagons  outside  of  our  lines  to  rebel  sawmills  and  get  lumber  in 
that  way,  after  having  previously  got  what  lumber  I  could  by  tearing  down  an  old 
bridge.  I  had  no  mining  picks  furnished  me  but  had  to  take  common  army  picks 
and  have  them  straightened  for  my  mining  picks.  *  *  *  * 

The  only  officers  of  high  rank  so  far  as  I  learned  that  favored  the  enterprise 
were  General  Burnside,  the  corps  commander,  and  General  Potter,  the  division 
commander. 

The  foregoing  statement  is  given  here  because  it  is  not  often  found  in 
our  histories  of  the  war,  although  it  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  and 
important  parts  of  the  enterprise  and  because  it  shows  that  the  whole  thing 
was  conceived  and  performed,  from  the  first  suggestion  to  the  final  explo 
sion,  without  aid  or  encouragement  from  any  of  our  generals,  except  as 
above  related. 

Had  the  undertaking  been  proposed  by  some  one  high  in  command  and 
had,  as  it  probably  then  would,  the  sanction  of  some  eminent  chief  engi 
neer  there  would  have  been  no  lack  of  implements,  or  of  negroes  to  use 
them ;  no  more  than  there  was  a  little  later  when  General  Butler  com 
menced  operations  upon  that  stupendous  piece  of  folly  known  as  "  Dutch 
Gap,"  where  many  thousands  of  dollars  were  expended  and  scores  of 
lives  lost  with  no  other  effect  or  result,  than  to  furnish  laughing  stock  for 
the  army  at  the  time,  and  contemptuous  ridicule  for  historians  ever  since. 

After  the  mine  had  been  completed  and  was  —  considering  the  time  and 
the  means — a  marvel  of  success,  then  commenced  a  wrangle  between 
Generals  Meade  and  Burnside  as  to  how  and  by  whom  the  last  and  by  far 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers .  231 

the  easier  part  of  the  undertaking,  if  rightly  managed,  should  be  accom 
plished.  The  latter  having  taken  considerable  interest  in  it  from  the 
start  had  drilled  one  of  his  divisions  —  colored  troops  —  to  clear  the  breach 
and  intrench  themselves  upon  Cemetery  Hill  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy's 
lines  and  but  a  few  rods  from  the  streets  of  Petersburg.  To  this  Meade 
objected,  but  Burnside  insisting  upon  carrying  out  his  original  design  of 
letting  the  colored  troop  take  the  lead,  the  matter  was  referred  to  General 
Grant  who  unfortunately  decided  for  Meade  —  not  only  as  to  the  troops  to 
lead  the  assault,  but  also  in  respect  to  the  plan  of  attack  —  both  changes 
proving  to  be  for  the  worse  and  lessening  instead  of  increasing  the 
chances  of  success. 

Yet  General  Meade  screening  himself  behind  his  superior  requested  of 
the  President  a  Court  of  Inquiry.  The  Court  ignored  the  main  questions 
before  them  almost  entirely,  and  found  that  the  failure  of  success  was 
chiefly  because  the  division  commanders,  Ledlie  and  Ferrero  of  Burn- 
side's  corps,  were  back  in  bomb-proofs  within  the  Union  lines  instead  of 
being  with  their  troops  at  the  front.  Fault  was  also  found  with  Burnside 
for  not  making  the  necessary  preparations,  but  General  Grant  had  the 
manliness  to  acknowledge  afterward,  before  a  Committee  of  Inquiry,  insti 
tuted  by  Congress,  that  he  believed  that  if  General  Burnside  had  been 
allowed  to  have  his  way  "  it  would  have  been  a  success" 

The  explosion  was  more  effectual  than  even  the  most  sanguine  had 
dared  to  hope  for.  Not  only  did  it  change,  almost  in  a  moment,  a  strong 
rebel  work  into  a  big  hole  in  the  ground  some  thirty  feet  deep,  twice  as 
wide  and  six  times  as  long,  but  it  had  so  frightened  and  demoralized  the 
rebel  troops  that  their  lines  were  vacated  for  two  or  three  hundred  yards  on 
each  side  of  the  crater,  and  it  was  half  an  hour  before  their  infantry  were 
rallied  to  any  purpose,  and  twice  that  length  of  time  that  their  artillery  was 
so  nearly  silent  as  to  do  but  little  damage  !  This  seems  too  strange  or 
strong  to  be  true,  but  it  is  backed  up  by  the  best  authority  —  General 
Meade's  chief  of  staff,  General  Humphreys. 

What  an  opportunity  then  was  here  presented  !  And  how  wonderingly 
woeful  was  it  misimproved.  It  is  certainly  not  venturing  a  single  step 
beyond  the  bounds  of  reason  to  assert  that  had  Burnside's  colored  divis 
ion  of  over  four  thousand  men  been  turned  loose,  with  not  a  single  star 
commander  among  them,  each  man  with  a  shovel  on  his  back  and  his 
musket  in  his  hands  and  with  no  other  instructions  than  to  capture  Ceme 
tery  Hill  and  hold  it,  Petersburg  would  have  been  safely  within  our  pos 
session  within  two  hours  from  the  word  "  go."  And  yet  it  was  such  a 
"  stupendous  failure,"  as  Grant  called  it,  that  it  disgraced  and  discouraged 
the  whole  army. 

It  had  been  in  the  air  for  some  time  that  mining  operations  were  going 
on  somewhere  along  our  line,  and  important  movements  against  the 
enemy  intended  by  Grant  had  been  postponed  that  they  might  be  made 
in  cooperation  with  the  explosion  of  the  mine.  Even  the  rebels  had  got 


232  History  of  the  Tvvelfth  Regiment 

wind  of  what  was  going  on  and  there  were  wild  rumors  among  them 
that  the  whole  of  Petersburg  was  undermined. 

As  the  time  approached  for  the  grand  assault  that  was  immediately  to 
follow  the  blowing  up  of  the  enemy's  works,  as  an  opening  signal,  every 
preparation  was  made  for  the  long  awaited  and  important  event ;  and  the 
soldiers,  although  entirely  ignorant  of  plans  and  particulars,  knew  as  well 
as  the  corps  commanders  themselves,  that  a  heavy  storm  was  brewing 
which  was  expected  to  strike  with  shivering  and  destructive  force  the 
enemy's  lines.  Their  hopes  increased  and  their  spirits  improved,  there 
fore,  with  every  hour,  until  when  the  final  and  fatal  morning  came  almost 
every  one  of  the  officers  and  men  were  quite  confident  of  success. 

But  the  unexpected  and  disastrous  result  brought  with  it  a  reaction  and 
corresponding  depression  of  feeling,  and  the  esprit  de  corps  of  the  army 
was  at  a  lower  ebb  than  at  any  time  since  the  winter  of  1862-3.  And 
this  despondency  increased  as  the  hot,  weary  days  of  toil  and  suffering 
wore  slowly  on,  with  the  rebel  forces  again  threatening  Washington  and 
no  successful  movement  of  Grant's  army,  though  often  attempted,  either 
on  the  right  or  the  left  of  his  long  investing  line.  But  the  brilliant  vic 
tory  of  Sheridan  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  followed  in  a  few  days  by 
the  successful  advance  of  Grant's  right  and  the  capture  of  Fort  Harrison, 
north  of  the  James,  inspired  new  hope  and  restored  confidence  in  the 
rank  and  file  once  more. 

If  at  last,  and  for  the  first  time  since  the  war  commenced,  victory  had 
crowned  our  arms  in  the  "  Valley  of  Humiliation,"  as  it  might  properly 
be  called  by  the  North,  there  was  certainly  some  ground  for  hope  that  the 
tide  had  turned  ;  and  that,  with  Grant's  bull-dog  hold  on  Petersburg,  while 
Sherman  like  a  blood-hound  was  chasing  the  rebel  forces  through  new 
fields  of  conquest  further  south,  and  Sheridan  ready  to  strike  like  a  thun 
der-bolt  at  any  time  and  place  needed,  the  end  of  the  Southern  Confeder 
acy  must  soon  come. 

The  colored  troops  looked  upon  their  selection  to  lead  the  assault  as  an 
acknowledgement  of  the  confidence  their  corps  commander  had  in  their 
superiority  as  soldiers,  and  this  touch  of  pride,  strengthened  by  the  encour 
aging  and  complimentary  words  of  their  line  officers  in  their  long  and 
special  drilling  for  the  heroic  effort  expected  of  them,  had  wrought  them 
up  to  just  that  pitch  of  enthusiasm  which  would  be  most  conducive  to  its 
success.  Every  night  for  some  time  before  the  explosion  they  could  be 
heard  chanting  the  war  choruses,  the  most  common  of  which  was  : 

"  We-e  looks  1-i-ike  men  a-a-marchin'  on, 
We  looks  li-ike  men-er-war." 

But,  when  they  were  told  that  the  order  for  them  to  lead  had  been 
countermanded,  they  fell  into  sullen  silence,  and  their  songs  of  that  kind 
were  heard  no  more.  After  all  reasonable  chances  for  success  were  long 
past  and  gone,  and  the  crater  breach  was  choked  up  with  white  troops,  the 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  233 

black  men,  as  a  last  resort,  were  ordered  forward,  and  had  they  not  been 
impeded  by  white  troops  in  advance,  over  some  of  whom  they  charged, 
would  probably  have  reached  the  crest  of  Cemetery  Hill.  As  it  was,  they 
captured  about  two  hundred  prisoners  and  a  stand  of  rebel  colors,  and 
recaptured  the  colors  lost  by  a  white  regiment  in  the  same  corps.  "  Had 
anyone  in  authority  been  present,"  says  Maj.  W.  H.  Powell,  U.  S.  A., 
who  was  then  aide-de-camp  to  General  Ledlie,  "  when  the  colored  troops 
made  their  charge,  and  had  they  been  supported,  even  at  that  late  hour  in 
the  day,  there  would  have  been  a  possibility  of  success." 

In  contrast  with  the  disgraceful  and  cowardly  conduct  of  their  division 
commander,  and  as  an  amusing  incident  of  the  fight,  the  following  is  here 
given  as  related  by  the  officer  just  quoted : 

As  the  colored  column  was  moving  by  the  left  flank  around  the  edge  of  the  cra 
ter  to  the  right,  the  file-closers  on  account  of  the  narrowness  of  the  way,  were 
compelled  to  pass  through  the  mass  of  white  men  inside  the  crater.  One  of 
these  file-closers  was  a  massively  built,  powerful,  and  well  formed  sergeant 
stripped  to  the  waist,  his  coal-black  skin  shining  like  polished  ebony  in  the 
strong  sunlight.  As  he  was  passing  up  the  slope  to  emerge  on  the  enemy's  side  of 
the  crest  he  came  across  one  of  his  own  black  fellows  who  was  lagging  behind 
his  company  evidently  with  the  intention  of  remaining  inside  the  crater  out  of  the 

way  of  the  bullets.     He  was  accosted  by  the  sergeant  with  "  none   ob  yo'  d d 

skulkin'  now,"  with  which  remark  he  seized  the  culprit  with  one  hand  and,  lift 
ing  him  up  in  his  powerful  grasp  by  the  waistband  of  his  trousers,  carried  him  to 
the  crest  of  the  crater,  threw  him  over  on  the  enemy's  side  and  quickly  fol 
lowed. 

And  let  it  not  be  forgotten  by  posterity,  that  it  was  the  true  courage 
and  strong  arms  of  such  men,  black  as  well  as  white,  as  the  negro  ser 
geant  who  put  down  the  great  American  Rebellion,  though  their  com 
manders  were  oftentimes,  as  in  this  battle,  hiding  in  bomb-proofs  or 
playing  sick,  at  a  safe  distance  from  rebel  shot  and  shell  in  the  rear. 

"  Fiat  justitia  ruat  ccclum." 

The  explosion  of  the  mine  was  an  awe-inspiring  sight,  and  especially  to 
those  of  our  troops  who,  waiting  to  lead  the  assault,  were  so  near  the  rebel 
line  that  it  seemed  as  if  the  mighty  mass  of  earth,  thrown  as  by  vol 
canic  force  two  or  three  hundred  feet  into  the  air,  was  to  descend  upon 
and  bury  them  up.  This  danger  appeared  more  imminent  because  these 
soldiers  were  down  in  a  ravine  near  the  mouth  of  the  tunnel  and  much 
lower  than  the  base  of  the  fort.  Several  regiments  broke  their  lines  and 
fell  back  when  the  vast  mound  poised  in  mid-air,  as  if  held  up  by  some 
unseen  power,  and  then,  spreading  out  like  a  huge  umbrella,  began  slowly 
to  descend. 

To  those  further  back  where  the  Twelfth  was  stationed  the  sight  was 
more  imposing  than  frightening,  and  reminded  some  well  versed  in  classic 


234  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

lore —  and  there  were  such  among  the  privates  as  well  as  the  officers  of 
the  Union  army,  —  when  they  saw  the  whole  fort  lifted  like  a  hill-top  into 
the  air,  of  Virgil's  mythological  account  of  the  war  between  Jupiter  and 
the  Titans  when  the  latter  "  piled  Ossa  onPelion  "  in  their  mad  attempt  to 
reach  the  skies ;  and,  when  the  descending  and  dissolving  mass  disclosed 
timbers,  guns,  and  men  amid  big  rocks  and  lumps  of  clay,  it  reminded  them 
again  of  Milton's  description  of  the  overthrow  of  another  great  rebellion, 
instigated  by  the  same  rule-or-ruin  spirit  as  that  which  they  were  trying  to 
put  down,  when  Lucifer  and  his  confederate  apostates  were  hurled  head 
long  over  the  battlements  of  Heaven. 

Eight  tons  of  powder,  placed  in  the  two  lateral  galleries  under  the  fort, 
and  exploded  by  a  fuse  extending  therefrom  five  hundred  and  ten  feet 
through  and  to  the  mouth  of  the  main  gallery,  had  so  mixed  up  the 
elements  of  earth  and  air  in  giving  this  grand  exhibition  of  its  power,  that 
the  troops  for  a  while  were  unable  to  advance  because  of  the  dense  cloud 
of  dust  that  arose  when  the  crumbling  fragments  of  the  fort  fell  back  to 
earth,  and  under  which  they  were  soon  lost  to  view  as  they  advanced. 
Immediately  following  the  explosion,  eighty-one  heavy  guns  and  mortars 
and  about  the  same  number  of  field  pieces  opened  upon  the  enemy's 
works  at  the  right  and  left  of  the  crater,  and  for  an  hour  or  more  there 
was  such  an  air-quaking  and  earth-trembling  artillery  chorus  as  the 
Twelfth  boys  had  never  listened  to  at  so  close  a  range  before  unless  it  was 
at  Gettysburg. 

As  soon  as  the  rebel  artillery  men  on  either  side  of  the  crater  had 
recovered  from  their  fright,  they  opened  in  reply  to  our  guns,  and  the 
whole  Eighteenth  Corps  was  more  or  less  exposed  to  their  shot  and  shells. 
Several  men  were  killed  or  wounded,  and  some  of  them  in  the  brigade  of 
the  Twelfth,  but  the  good  luck  of  the  regiment  being  conversely  to  its 
size,  only  two  or  three  of  its  fortunate  few  were  wounded,  and  those  but 
slightly.  Just  before  the  enemy's  shells  got  dangerously  thick,  Generals 
Grant,  Meade,  and  Ord  came  along  in  front  of  the  Twelfth  conversing 
together.  General  Burnside  soon  joined  the  other  three  making  quite  a 
distinguished  and  conspicuous  group. 

Grant  for  one  and  the  only  time  that  he  was  ever  thus  seen  by  some  of 
the  regiment  had  no  cigar  in  his  mouth.  He  was  apparently  as  cool  and 
impassive  as  usual,  but  Meade  and  Burnside  betrayed  some  nervousness 
as  they  looked  through  their  glasses  in  vain  for  some  sign  of  success  at 
the  front.  But  the  visiting  shells  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  ravine 
soon  commenced  introducing  themselves  to  the  high-ranking  commanders, 
and  at  last  became  so  obtrusively  intimate  in  their  attentions  that  the 
group  hastily  dispersed  to  seek  some  less,  or  more,  inviting  situation. 

"  Oh  !  don't  get  disgusted  so  quick  now,  it's  just  such  treatment  as  we 
have  to  stand  every  day,"  said  one  of  the  boys  close  in  the  rear  of  them 
as  they  moved  away.  The  words  were  loudly  spoken  and  must  have 
been  heard  by  some  of  those  for  whom  they  were  intended,  but  if  they 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  235 

were,  riot  as  much  as  a  glance  betrayed  the  fact.  During  the  conflict  the 
Twelfth  received  orders  through  the  adjutant-general  of  the  brigade  to 
move  to  the  left  and  front  to  support  a  battery  and  while  executing  this 
order  General  Steadman  seeing  that  his  order  had  been  misunderstood  by 
his  adjutant  gave  the  command  direct  to  move  the  regiment  to  the  rear 
and  right.  While  changing  its  direction  to  comply  with  the  last  order, 
General  Ord,  commanding  the  corps,  rode  up  and  called  out :  "  What  is 
that  regiment  falling  back  for?" 

Captain  Barker,  without  waiting  or  caring  to  know  whether  the  question 
was  directed  to  him  or  his  brigade  commander,  stood  up  in  his  stirrups  and 
half  turning  his  head  toward  the  questioner,  loudly  exclaimed:  '•'•God 
Almighty!  This  regiment  was  never  known  to  fall  back,  yet,  without 
orders.'"  And  judging  the  few  left  of  the  regiment  by  the  spirit  of  their 
commander,  General  Ord  probably  thought  he  was  telling  the  truth. 

After  the  war,  the  owner  of  the  land  upon  which  the  rebel  fort  was 
blown  up,  fenced  off  a  few  acres  around  the  deep  depression  where  it 
had  stood  —  which  he  very  properly  called  the  "crater,"  —  and  collecting 
together,  in  an  old  negro  shanty  near  by,  a  lot  of  broken  muskets  and 
swords,  with  shells  and  shot,  and  pieces  of  equipment  of  every  descrip 
tion,  and  many  other  more  or  less  interesting  relics  of  the  battle,  picked 
up  in  and  around  the  powder-blown  excavation,  put  them  and  the  grounds 
on  exhibition,  charging  twenty-five  cents  as  an  admission  fee. 

This  place  soon  became  the  chief  point  of  attraction  for  the  visitors  to 
and  travelers  through  Petersburg ;  many  of  the  latter,  especially  those 
from  the  North,  stopping  over  a  train  or  a  day,  on  their  journey  to  visit 
the  historic  spot  of  which  they  had  read  and  heard  so  much.  And  many 
visited  it  who  were  there  in,  or  close  witnesses  of,  the  terrible  strife  of 
July  30,  1864,  and  among  them,  General  Bartlett,  who  pointed  out  where 
he  stood  in  the  crater  when  a  piece  of  shell  or  solid  shot  demolished  his 
wooden  leg. 

This  exhibit  proved  so  good  and  profitable  an  enterprise  for  the  owner, 
that  it  was  kept  up  until  his  death,  several  years  after  the  war,  and  con 
tinued  by  his  son  as  late  as  1880,  when  visited  by  the  writer,  who  there 
learned  many  facts  referred  to  in  this  history,  and  who  has  now  in  his 
possession  a  minie-ball  that  was  ploughed  up  close  to  the  crater  by  a 
grandson  of  the  original  owner  of  the  land,  while  the  writer  stood 
talking  with  his  father. 


CHAPTER  xin. 

BERMUDA  FRONT  AND  CHAPIN'S  FARM  ;  OR,  THE  LAST  WINTER  IN 

"  DIXIE." 

If  ever  men  were  thankful,  the  veterans  still  left  to  follow  the  colors  of 
the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  Regiment  were,  when  they  found  them 
selves  once  more  at  their  old  camping  ground  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Appomattox. 

The  day  of  their  arrival  was  one  of  the  hottest  of  the  summer,  and 
this  march  hither,  though  short,  was  severe,  for  some  were  hardly  able 
to  walk,  when  they  left  Petersburg. 

A  chance  to  rest  and  recuperate  had  become  an  absolute  necessity  to 
the  longer  maintenance  of  a  military  organization.  Hard  muscular  labor, 
inured  to  hardships  as  they  were,  they  could  have  endured  for  a  long 
time,  and  have  been  none,  or  but  little,  the  worse  for  it ;  but  a  constant 
drain  on  the  vital  nerve  force,  for  two  or  three  months,  was  fast  trans 
ferring  the  men  from  the  trenches  to  the  hospital,  and  hence  the  change 
of  the  Eighteenth  Corps,  its  place  being  taken  by  the  Tenth. 

Certainly  the  troops  of  the  former  corps  had  done  their  full  share  of  fight 
ing  since  the  first  of  May.  There  were  now  less  than  a  hundred  effective 
men  answering  to  the  morning  roll-call  of  the  regiment,  just  about  men 
enough  for  one  full  company,  and  the  officers  had  been  reduced  in  about 
the  same  ratio. 

The  other  regiments  of  the  brigade,  still  the  same  as  when  first  organ 
ized  (except  the  addition  of  the  Eighth  Maine,  which  joined  soon  after 
Drury's  Bluff,  and  a  change  of  the  Second  New  Hampshire  for  the  Nine 
teenth  Wisconsin  made  soon  after  the  attack  on  Petersburg,  the  Second 
being  detailed  on  provost  duty),  were  all  mere  skeletons  of  their  original 
strength  ;  but  none  that  reported  less  than  two  for  one,  as  compared  with 
the  Twelfth,  for  most  or  all  of  them  were  numerically  larger  at  the  open 
ing  of  the  campaign,  and  their  losses  at  Cold  Harbor  were  inversely  pro 
portionate. 

But  the  difference  between  the  duties  and  dangers  incident  to  army 
life  at  the  siege  of  Petersburg,  and  those  experienced  along  the  Bermuda 
front,  could  be  fully  realized  only  by  soldiers  who  had  served,  for  any 
length  of  time,  in  both  places. 

The  illustrative  comparison  of  work  and  play  is  not  sufficiently  strong ; 
perdition  and  paradise  would  come  nearer  expressing  the  difference  of  the 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  237 

situations.  Had  Lieutenant  Huntoon,  who  was  always  ready  to  quote 
Shakespeare,  been  with  the  regiment  through  its  part  of  the  Petersburg 
siege,  he  would  probably  have  said,  upon  returning  to  the  quiet  lines  at 
Bermuda  : 

"  Grim  visag'd  war  hath  smoothed  her  wrinkled  front." 

Rest,  and  rest  alone,  was  the  order  of  the  day  on  the  26th,  for  the 
Twelfth,  but  the  next  day  the  regiment  went  on  picket  down  by  the 
"Old  Mill,"  as  the  boys  used  to  call  it,  for  they  went  there  many  times 
afterward,  and  it  became,  during  the  fall,  quite  a  trading-post  for  the 
pickets  on  both  sides. 

Here,  as  soon  as  they  found  out  that  white  troops  were  again  on  their 
front  —  for  colored  ones  had  been  holding  the  lines  —  the  rebel  pickets 
at  once  manifested  a  disposition  of  friendliness,  which  was  so  strongly  in 
contrast  with  what  the  Twelfth  boys  had  been  used  to  on  the  other  side  of 
the  river,  that  they  hardly  knew,  at  first,  what  to  make  of  it,  and  feared 
it  was  only  a  ruse  to  take  them  prisoners.* 

This  was  the  beginning  of  friendly  relations  between  the  pickets  on  the 
Bermuda  front  that  lasted,  with  but  few  interruptions,  all  through  the  fall 
and  winter,  and  until  picket  lines  between  the  North  and  the  South  were 
no  longer  needed. 

And  better  perhaps  in  this  connection,  than  later  when  it  actually  oc 
curred,  may  be  related  an  incident,  among  the  many  that  might  be  told, 
illustrating  the  spirit  of  kindly  feeling  often  manifested  between  the  rank 
and  file  of  the  opposing  armies. 

One  day,  when  the  Twelfth  was  on  picket,  and  the  boys,  blue  and 
gray,  had  been  freely  intermingling  at  or  near  the  old  mill  above  referred 
to,  bathing,  wrestling,  and  playing  cards  together,  a  rebel  officer  came 
along  so  unexpectedly,  that  Almon  J.  Farrar,  of  Company  H,  who  was 
among  the  rebels  upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek,  had  no  chance  to 
get  away  without  being  seen  by  the  officer.  Quick  as  thought,  the  ready 
wit  of  one  of  the  surrounding  Johnnies  prompted  him  what  to  do,  and, 
grabbing  one  of  their  bed-quilt  blankets,  he  threw  it  over  the  Yankee's 
shoulders  ;  while  another,  catching  the  idea  of  the  first,  snatched  the  blue 
cap  off  and  put  his  own  slouch  hat  in  its  place. 

The  Confederate  officer  rode  up,  was  saluted,  and  passed  on,  closely 
watched  by  the  half  a  dozen  more  "Yankee  Blues"  hid  among  the 
bushes  but  just  across  the  stream. 

This  incident  will  be  better  appreciated  in  connection  with  the  fact,  that 
at  that  time  orders  from  rebel  officers  were  very  strict  against  any  inter 
course  or  communication  between  the  lines. 

The  Confederate  government  officials  were  about  as  careful  to  keep 
their  soldiers  in  ignorance,  as  the  slave  holders  had  been,  before  the  war, 
to  keep  their  slaves  in  the  same  condition,  and  for  substantially  the  same 

*  See  chapter  of  "  Incidents  and  Anecdotes." 


238  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

reason  ;  for  the  Southern  Confederacy,  like  its  chief  corner  stone,  could 
exist  only  by  the  ignorance  of  the  laboring  element. 

On  the  28th  the  regiment  returned  from  picket  and  moving  a  little 
further  to  the  right  toward  thejames,  commenced  on  the  following  day  to 
lay  out  their  camp  in  regular  order. 

This  brought  smiles  to  the  faces  of  the  boys,  for  it  was  a  sign,  though 
no  surety,  that  they  were  to  remain  a  while  where  they  were.  It  was  a 
pretty  good  sign  also,  as  they  had  already  learned,  that  they  would  very 
soon  move  again. 

But  the  next  day,  the  3Oth,  "made  assurance  doubly  sure,"  as  then 
thought,  for  Lieutenant  Shepard  started  for  Norfolk  to  get  the  regimental 
baggage.  On  the  3ist  the  regiment  was  mustered  for  pay,  and  this 
again  cheered  the  boys,  and  brightened  the  prospect,  for  they  had  been  for 
a  long  time  in  need  of  money,  some  of  them  not  having  been  paid  off  for 
six  months.  Government  rations  were  also  getting  scarce  about  this  time, 
and  they  wanted  to  patronize  the  sutler  a  little. 

For  the  first  part  of  September,  little  was  done  by  the  regiment,  except 
picket  duty,  and  the  men  had  a  good  opportunity  to  work  upon  their  new 
quarters. 

These  were  erected  of  uniform  size  and  style,  each  one  being  two  feet 
long,  seven  feet  wide,  and  four  feet  high,  and  constructed  in  log-house 
fashion,  the  crevices  lightly  plastered  up  with  red-clay  mud,  so  common 
to  Virginia  soil. 

With  the  walls  thus  completed,  and  the  chimney  built,  as  has  been  else 
where  described,  nothing  remained,  but  the  shelter-tent  roof,  to  finish  a 
soldier's  domicile  large  enough  to  accommodate  four  comrades  quite  com 
fortably. 

The  builders,  half  hoping  —  for  there  was  more  of  desire  than  expecta 
tion  in  the  thought  —  that  they  were  at  work  on  their  winter  quarters, 
spared  no  pains  to  fix  everything  up  in  the  most  approved  style  of  military 
architecture  ;  and  Captain  Barker,  noticing  with  what  pride  and  pains  his 
boys  were  constructing  their  own  habitations,  as  well  as  those  for  himselt 
and  other  officers,  determined  to  do  his  full  share  in  making  the  little 
regimental  village  as  pleasant  and  attractive  in  its  streets  as  in  its  houses. 

So  he  procured  teams  and  a  plow,  and  turnpiked  the  company  streets, 
ploughed,  leveled,  and  drained  the  parade  ground,  and  so  cleared  up  and 
improved  the  surroundings,  that  the  Encampment  of  the  Twelfth  New 
Hampshire  was  one  that  both  officers  and  men  were  proud  of,  as  being  far 
ahead  of  any  other  regiment  on  the  whole  line. 

Colonel  Guion,  of  the  division  staff,  who  inspected  the  Twelfth  just 
after  its  quarters  had  begun  to  attract  attention,  sent  up  to  headquarters  a 
very  flattering  report  of  the  condition  of  the  regiment  and  its  "model 
encampment." 

September  10,  while  the  regiment  was  out  on  picket,  two  of  the  substi 
tutes  deserted  to  the  enemy.  They  belonged  to  Company  G,  and  were 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  239 

prompted  to  desert,  probably,  by  a  proclamation  of  Jefferson  Davis,  issued 
just  after  the  failure  of  the  Mine  Explosion,  offering  aid,  to  get  to  their 
homes  in  the  North,  for  all  that  would  come  into  the  Confederate  lines. 

This  attempt  to  reduce  our  forces  was  prompted,  doubtlessly,  by  the  prev 
alent  feeling  of  depression  among  our  troops  at  that  time,  and  the  addi 
tional  consideration  that  our  army  had  recently  been  recruited  by  a  class 
of  beings  who  were  willing  to  accept  the  invitation  thus  extended  to  them. 

But,  unfortunately  for  the  success  of  Davis's  artful  scheme  of  military 
diplomacy,  most  of  those,  upon  whom  his  call  would  have  any  other 
effect  than  to  excite  ridicule,  had  already  weeded  themselves  out  from  most 
of  the  regiments  that  were  in  front  of  the  enemy. 

The  old  members  of  the  regiment  had  supposed,  that  what  few  recruits 
there  were  left,  after  Cold  Harbor,  could  be  relied  upon,  and  were  sur 
prised  to  learn  that  two  more  had  gone  the  way  of  as  many  score,  since 
leaving  Point  Lookout.  And  yet  there  were  Judas-hearted  ones  left,  as 
will  be  hereafter  seen. 

September  14,  there  was  an  unusually  heavy  cannonade  on  the  left, 
around  Petersburg,  from  which  every  day  brought  sounds  of  strife,  re 
minding  the  men  of  their  own  recent  experience  there  ;  and  on  the  same 
day  Captain  Barker  took  his  little  regimental  squad  out  on  battalion  drill. 
It  was  the  first  for  a  long  time,  and  made  a  sad  impression  upon  the  minds 
of  many  of  the  old  originals  for  they  could  but  reflect  upon  what  a  change 
that  less  than  two  years  had  made  in  the  ranks  of  the  regiment.  Mem 
ory  reproduced  it,  a  thousand  strong  on  the  plains  of  Concord ;  and  now, 
with  all  the  recruits,  their  eyes  saw  it  more  than  nine  times  decimated, 
having  less  than  ten  left  for  every  hundred  of  its  former  greatness  ! 

Sad,  woefully  sad  indeed  the  change  ! 

And  so  it  must  have  seemed  to  Colonel  Potter  who  returned  to  the  regi 
ment  the  next  day  for  the  first  time  since  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville. 

He  was  warmly  greeted  by  the  few  still  remaining  of  those  he  had  then 
the  honor  to  command,  but  they  would  have  thought  much  more  of  him, 
had  he  returned  to  his  regiment  as  soon  as  his  wound  had  healed,  instead 
of  accepting  an  easier  and  less  dangerous  position  elsewhere. 

Being  the  ranking  officer  he  immediately  took  command  of  the  brigade, 
which  was  enlarged  two  days  later  by  the  Ninth  Vermont,  and  the  Sec 
ond  Pennsylvania  (heavy  artillery)  regiments. 

On  the  2oth  came  an  unexpected  and  most  unwelcome  order,  and  one 
that  made  every  officer  and  man  of  the  regiment  feel  more  like  invoking 
maledictions  than  blessings  upon  everybody  and  everything,  except  them 
selves  and  their  rations,  in  the  whole  army. 

It  was  an  order  to  move  !  All  their  work  and  pains  to  make  for  them 
selves  a  pleasant  and  comfortable  army  home  had  been  thrown  away, 
for  now  they  must  unroof  and  vacate. 

After  one  more,  and  the  last,  dinner  in  their  new,  but  soon  to  be  old, 
quarters,  which  was  eaten  with  too  much  of  ill  temper  to  favor  quick 


240  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

digestion,  the  men  shouldered  their  all,  and  grumblingly  marched  two 
miles  to  the  rear  toward  Bermuda  Landing.  Here  a  new  encampment 
had  been  laid  out  for  Colonel  Potter's  command  which  was  on  the  same 
day  detached  from  the  Eighteenth  Corps  to  form  a  nucleus  of  a  provisional 
brigade  for  the  reception  and  discipline  of  new  recruits,  who  immediately 
began  to  come  in,  and  report  for  duty. 

These  new  regiments  were  made  up  chiefly  of  three  months,  or  "  hun 
dred  days  men  "  as  they  were  called.  They  were  also  often  derisively  re 
ferred  to  by  the  old  soldiers  as  "  eleventh  hour  men,"  who  had  come  out 
to  see  the  fun  after  the  most  of  the  work  was  done.  They  had  got  their 
"greenbacks"  in  big  bounties,  and  now  wanted  a  full  share  of  the 
honors. 

By  the  2istthe  brigade  had  increased  to  nine  regiments,  and  as  the  old 
ones  had  recently  been  paid  off,  and  the  new  ones  came  amply  supplied 
with  money,  the  sutler  had  a  most  thriving  trade,  taking  in,  some  days, 
more  than  four  hundred  dollars. 

Colonel  Potter,  finding  himself  at  the  head  of  quite  a  large  command 
with  a  prospect  of  its  continuance  for  a  while,  commenced  selecting  his 
staff  officers,  several  of  whom  he  took  from  his  old  regiment. 

Captains  Heath,  Johnson,  and  Prescott  were  appointed  assistant  inspector 
general,  assistant  provost  marshal,  and  aide-de-camp,  respectively,  of  the 
brigade.  Captain  Bedee  was  also  selected  as  one  of  the  staff. 

On  the  same  day  Francis  Reed,  of  Meredith,  N.  H.,  was  commis 
sioned  chaplain  of  the  regiment,  and  a  few  weeks  later  reported  to 
Captain  Barker  for  duty.  But  his  military  pastorate  was  of  short  duration, 
and  so  little  did  he  become  acquainted  with  the  men,  or  show  himself 
fitted  for  their  companionship,  that,  if  remembered  at  all  by  any  of  those 
who  may  read  this  brief  reference  to  him,  it  will  be  with  a  smile. 

He  remained  with  the  regiment  but  a  few  weeks,  and  then  bade  good 
bye  to  "  Dixie  "  forever. 

In  a  few  days  the  men  had  fixed  up  comfortable  quarters  again,  but 
had  scarcely  got  them  completed  before  the  brigade  was  ordered  forward 
to  the  line  of  works  to  take  the  place  of  the  Eighteenth  Corps  which,  with 
the  Tenth,  had  been  ordered  across  the  James. 

This  was  on  the  28th,  a  beautiful  day,  but  the  weather  was  much  pleas- 
anter  than  the  feelings  of  the  men  for  having  to  vacate  their  quarters  a 
second  time  before  fairly  located  therein. 

The  Twelfth,  upon  returning  to  the  front  line,  occupied  the  quarters 
that  the  Thirteenth  New  Hampshire  had  just  left. 

On  the  29th  occurred  the  battle  of  Fort  Harrison,  or  Chapin's  Farm, 
the  enemy  being  driven  back,  and  the  fort  and  a  portion  of  his  line 
captured  and  held  in  spite  of  the  most  determined  efforts  of  the  rebel 
forces  to  retake  it. 

Fort  Harrison  was  the  most  formidable  work  on  the  rebel  line,  north 
of  the  James,  from  Chapin's  Bluff  on  the  river  to  Fort  Gilmer. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  241 

It  was  captured  at  quite  a  heavy  loss,  especially  of  officers  who  were 
picked  off  by  the  rebel  sharpshooters  in  their  advance  over  a  wide  space 
of  unprotected  ground,  leading  up  to  the  fort,  which  was  located  on  quite 
an  elevation. 

Although  the  Twelfth  took  no  part  in  this  engagement  as  a  regiment, 
yet  several  of  its  men,  acting  as  sharpshooters,  were  foremost  as  skir 
mishers  in  the  fight,  and  contributed  largely  to  the  successful  attack  upon 
the  fort. 

A  full  and  true  account  of  this  battle,  which  the  writer  has  never  yet 
had  the  pleasure  of  reading,  would  give  facts  that  would  show  how 
greatly  the  country  was  indebted  to  a  little  band  of  ten  or  fifteen  of  these 
sharpshooting  skirmishers,  detailed,  months  before  from  nearly  as  many 
different  regiments,  for  this  important  victory.  Without  their  aid  in 
silencing  the  guns,  and  their  heroic  efforts  in  being  the  first  to  scale  its 
parapets,  the  fort  might  not  then  have  been  taken. 

In  fact,  according  to  their  own  account,  they  actually  captured  the  fort 
itself  alone  and  single  handed,  and  had  they  been  at  once  properly  sup 
ported  there  would  not  have  been  so  severe  a  contest  to  hold  it,  for  the  de 
fenders  had  time  to  recover  from  their  surprise  and  rally  for  the  final 
hand  to  hand  struggle  before  any  of  our  other  troops  got  up  to  the  works. 

Several  who  had  been  detailed  as  sharpshooters  from  the  Twelfth  the 
June  before  were  in  the  line  of  skirmishers,  and  William  S.  Gray  and 
Almon  J.  Farrar  were  among  the  few  who  drove  the  rebel  gunners  from 
their  guns  and  entered  the  fort. 

Another  member  of  the  regiment  was  of  great  service  in  helping  to  win 
the  victory  in  this  fight,  although  not  nearer  than  a  mile  or  more  to  the 
battlefield.* 

On  the  first  day  of  October,  while  the  paymaster,  who  had  at  last  made 
his  appearance,  was  engaged  in  paying  off  Company  A,  orders  came  to 
move  across  the  James  river  at  once  ;  and  so  the  other  companies  had  to 
go  without  "  greenbacks"  a  while  longer. 

The  regiment  rejoined  its  old  brigade  in  the  Second  Division  of  the 
Eighteenth  Corps  about  4  o'clock  p.  M.,  and  soon  after  went  back  about  a 
mile  from  the  front  and  encamped  for  the  night.  The  next  morning  the 
brigade  was  temporarily  attached  to  the  Engineers  Corps  and  went  into 
Fort  Harrison  to  work  with  the  spade  in  helping  to  turn  it  against  its 
former  occupants,  and  so  far  strengthen  it  as  to  make  any  attempt  at  re 
capture  a  vain  one. 

This  work  being  accomplished,  the  regiments  were  next  set  at  work 
throwing  up  a  new  line  of  works  on  the  left,  between  the  fort  and  the  river. 
Another  attack  by  the  enemy  was  expected  every  hour,  and  hence  the 
troops  were  required  to  work  day  and  night  until  the  line  was  as  strong 
as  the  reconstructed  fort  with  which  it  connected. 

The  Twelfth  worked  some  nights  until  midnight  in  taking  their  turn 
with  other  regiments,  so  that  some  could  sleep  while  others  worked. 

*  See  Signal  Service,  etc. 
16 


242  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

The  first  three  days  of  the  month  had  been  rainy,  the  first  especially  so, 
and  digging  in  Virginia  soil,  after  a  heavy  rain-fall,  is  not  the  most  desir 
able  of  occupations  as  many  an  old  soldier  can  testify  ;  and  it  becomes 
still  less  so  when  obliged  to  work,  not  only  in  the  rain,  but  under  the  lire 
of  the  rebel  gunboats,  where  the  laborer,  like  the  mother  hen  in  fear  of 
hawks,  has  to  watch  the  sky,  while  he  digs  the  earth,  to  see  where  the 
next  two-hundred-pound  shell  is  going  to  strike.  These  gunboats  came 
down  to  Chapin's  Bluff  every  day  to  salute  the  Yankees. 

After  the  rain,  it  cleared  off  cold  for  the  season,  and  the  men,  having 
little  to  protect  them  from  the  weather,  suffered  considerably  from  the 
effects  of  the  sudden  change. 

October  7,  the  regiment  moved  to  the  right  of  Fort  Harrison,  and  into 
the  trenches.  But  scarcely  had  the  regiment  got  into  position  there, 
when  an  order  came  for  it  to  report  to  the  Third  Brigade  of  the  First  Divis 
ion  of  the  corps  ;  and  the  next  day  the  boys  were  agreeably  surprised  to 
find  their  new  brigade  in  command  of  their  old  and  well  tried  captain  and 
leader,  now  Lieut.  Col.  Thomas  E.  Barker  ! 

It  was  quite  a  jump  from  captain  by  rank  to  brigadier-general  by 
position,  and  if  he  did  not  feel  proud  himself,  the  boys  of  his  regiment, 
and  especially  those  of  his  old. Company  B,  did  for  him.  But  this  pro 
motion  was  but  a  tardy  and  partial  recognition  of  deserving  merit,  for, 
long  before,  he  should  have  worn  the  golden-leaves  in  place  of  the  brass- 
bars  that  he  had  long  and  highly  honored. 

His  brigade  consisted  of  the  Second  and  Twelfth  New  Hampshire,  the 
Fifty-eighth  and  One  Hundred  and  Eighty-eighth  Pennsylvania,  the 
Twenty-first  Connecticut,  and  Ninety-second  New  York  regiments. 

These  six  regiments  could  once  have  mustered  a  little  army  of  five  or 
six  thousand  men  ;  now  only  an  aggregate  of  remnants  amounting  to  little 
more  than  as  many  hundred.  Yet  it  was  a  larger  force  than  that  com 
manded  by  General  Stark  on  the  victorious  field  of  Bennington,  and  every 
man  was  a  battle-scorched  veteran. 

The  brigade  occupied  the  trenches,  at  this  time,  between  Forts  Harrison 
and  Gilmer,  the  latter  being  still  held  by  the  enemy. 

The  loth  was  noted  as  a  day  for  rebel  desertions.  It  was  a  very  foggy 
day,  and  the  sallow-faced  supporters  of  the  crumbling  Confederacy  came 
into  our  lines  by  tens  and  scores.  It  seemed  to  be  a  concerted  movement. 
A  company  of  about  fifty  started  to  come  in,  but  were  mistaken,  in  the  fog, 
for  an  attacking  force,  fired  upon  by  our  brigade,  and  driven  back. 

The  following  day,  after  two  or  three  vain  attempts,  the  paymaster  suc 
ceeded  in  giving  to  every  man,  present  for  duty  in  the  regiment,  the 
amount  in  paper  currency  that  was  shown  to  be  due  him  upon  the  muster 
rolls. 

It  was  the  price  of  toil,  danger,  and  suffering,  and  even,  in  many  in 
stances,  of  blood  itself.  Yet  the  soldier  received  but  little  more  than  one 
half  of  the  stipulated  price  for  his  services  and  sufferings,  and  no  interest 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  243 

for  his  wages,  long  overdue  ;  while  the  bond-holder,  for  his  government 
securities,  purchased  with  the  same  depreciated  currency,  was  receiving 
his  semi-annual  interest,  as  he  afterward  received  his  principal,  in  gold. 

At  4  P.  M.  of  the  pth,  the  brigade  was  ordered  to  extend  its  line  so  as 
to  relieve  the  Third  Division,  and  later,  about  dark,  while  a  very  cold 
rain  storm  was  chilling  the  men  to  their  very  bones,  it  moved  still  farther 
to  the  right,  halting  in  the  rear  of  the  Tenth  Corps,  one  division  of  which 
it  relieved  in  the  trenches  during  the  night  or  early  morning.  But  before 
many  hours  another  order  was  received  by  Colonel  Barker  for  him  to  re 
port  with  the  Twelfth  Regiment  to  Colonel  Potter,  on  the  Bermuda  front, 
by  10  o'clock  the  next  day  ;  and  in  compliance  therewith,  the  regiment  re- 
crossed  the  James  on  the  i4th,  and  rejoined  the  provisional  brigade  that  it 
had  left  fourteen  days  before  ;  the  Twelfth  was  glad  again  to  be  between 
the  James  and  Appomattox  rivers,  where  more  peaceful  relations  seemed 
to  exist  between  the  lines  than  anywhere  north  of  the  one,  or  south  of 
the  other.  This  line,  which  since  September  20  had  been  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Potter,  was  on  the  i7th  transferred  to  the  official 
supervision  of  Gen.  Charles  K.  Graham,  who  took  command  of  the 
Third  Division,  of  the  Third  Corps  after  General  Whipple's  death  at 
Chancellorsville,  and  who  was  taken  prisoner  at  Gettysburg. 

There  had  been  for  some  time  a  growing  apprehension  in  the  mind  of 
Colonel  Potter  that  the  enemy  would  attack  his  line,  and  the  return  of  the 
Twelfth  to  his  command  was  in  compliance  with  his  request  that  his  old 
regiment  might  be  returned  to  him.  General  Weitzel,  then  commanding 
the  Eighteenth  Corps,  in  asking  permission  of  General  Butler,  remarks  : 

I  think  I  had  better  send  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire,  Potter's  old  regiment, 
over  to  him  at  once.  That  place  is  weak,  and  this  regiment  would  give  Potter 
much  confidence.  Shall  I  send  it? 

To  which  Butler,  at  10.05  p-  M-  °f  tne  T3th»  replied:  "Send  the 
Twelfth  New  Hampshire  to  Potter  at  once." 

Among  other  things  that  had  awakened  the  colonel's  suspicions  were 
these  :  A  rebel  deserter  had  reported  to  him  that  the  enemy  was  reenforc- 
ing  in  his  front,  several  regiments  having  come  within  a  few  days  ;  and 
General  Butler  had  forwarded  to  him  the  following  : 

V 

The  signal  officer  on  your  left  [Cobh  Hill  tower]  reports  that  the  enemy  have 
been  up  in  a  balloon,  making  observations  on  your  line,  and  signaling  to  parties 
below.  Keep  a  sharp  lookout  and  advise  me  of  any  movement. 

During  the  night  of  the  i8th  the  brigade  was  called  up  twice  to  resist  a 
supposed  attack  on  our  lines,  but  it  proved  to  be  only  the  rebel  troops 
firing  at  their  own  men  who  were  deserting  from  their  lines,  and  coming 
over  to  ours.  These  deserters,  who  were  getting  to  be  encouragingly  com 
mon  for  us,  all  told  the  same  story  about  destitution  and  increasing  de 
moralization  in  their  army.  They  said,  "  The  Rebellion  is  about  played 


244  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

out."  From  such  reports,  received  almost  daily  from  the  Confederate 
deserters,  when  there  was  any  chance  for  them  to  get  into  our  lines  with 
out  being  killed,  the  courage  of  the  Union  troops  was  constantly  strength 
ened  ;  for,  through  it  all,  they  plainly  saw  a  most  welcome  beginning  of  a 
still  more  welcome  and  glorious  end. 

A  mighty  jubilee  chorus  of  a  hundred  guns  each  from  both  the  armies 
of  the  Potomac  and  the  James  on  the  2Oth,  sounded  out  through  the  clear 
air  and  gladened  the  hearts  of  the  listening  "  boys  in  blue  "  for  they  knew 
it  to  be  in  honor  of  Sheridan's  second  great  victory  in  the  valley.  This 
was  the  most  signal  and  brilliant  victory  of  the  Union  arms  for  the  whole 
war.  It  electrified  the  whole  North.  Sheridan's  great  victory  over  Early, 
just  one  month  before  at  Winchester,  had  made  him  renowned  ;  but  his  still 
greater  victory  over  the  same  Confederate  commander,  who  had  been 
heavily  reinforced,  at  Cedar  Creek,  where  his  inspiring  presence,  at  the 
eleventh  hour,  turned  the  broken  and  struggling  masses  of  a  defeated  and 
retreating  army  into  solid  columns  of  such  irresistible  power  as  to  crush 
down  and  destroy  every  opposing  force,  and  win  such  an  overwhelming 
victory  that  the  enemy  never  again  mustered  his  forces  for  battle  in  the 
valley  of  the  Shenandoah,  placed  him  in  the  highest  rank  of  the  great 
generals  of  the  war  upon  either  side. 

"And  this  victory,"  in  the  words  of  an  able  writer,  "snatched  from 
the  jaws  of  defeat,  affords  one  of  the  very  few  instances  in  which  an 
army,  thoroughly  beaten  in  the  morning,  is  even  more  thoroughly  victo 
rious  in  the  evening,  though  it  has  meantime  been  reinforced  by  but  a 
single  man."  He  might  have  said  the  only  instance. 

But  to  come  down  and  back  to  where  we  belong,  and  shun  the  danger 
ous  example  of  the  great  Grecian  mathematician,  Thales,  who  came  near 
breaking  his  neck  by  having  "  his  head  among  the  stars  while  his  feet 
were  on  the  earth,"  let  us  continue  to  record  a  few  more  of  the  most  in 
teresting  items  that  belong  in  this  chapter  of  the  history  of  the  "  New 
Hampshire  Mountaineers." 

And  to  put  the  reader  in  good  humor  again,  the  author  will  recommence 
his  narration  of  historic  events  with  an  amusing  anecdote  connected  with 
the  firing  of  the  salute  above  referred  to. 

After  the  artillery  guns  and  mortars  of  all  kinds  and  sizes  had  stopped 
their  roaring  upon  both  sides  —  for  the  salute  was  a  shotted  one  to  which 
the  enemy  replied — a  musket  fusilade  was  heard  in  Colonel  Potter's 
brigade  just  to  the  left  of  the  Twelfth.  In  a  few  moments  a  staff  officer 
went  dashing  by,  and  as  he  rode  up  to  the  commander  of  the  Two  Hun 
dred  and  Seventh  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  which  had  joined  the  army  for 
the  first  time  but  a  few  days  before,  and  from  which  the  noise  seemed  to 
come,  he  saw  the  whole  regiment,  of  about  a  thousand  men,  blazing  away 
at  their  very  best  over  the  earthworks. 

"  What  in  h — I  arc  yon  doing  here"  yelled  out  the  staff  officer,  as  soon 
as  he  got  within  speaking  distance  of  the  colonel,  who  was  encouraging 
his  men  to  fire  as  rapidly  as  possible. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers.  245 

"  Firing  a  salute,  sir,  and  I  have  had  no  orders  to  stop  yet." 

The  headquarters  official  saw  it  all  at  a  glance,  and  answered  at  first 
with  a  long,  loud  laugh  which  made  the  green  commander  turn  red  in  the 
face,  for  he  began  to  mistrust  that  he  had  made  a  big  mistake  somehow, 
and  immediately  ordered  his  men  to  cease  firing.  When  he  found  out 
that  his  was  the  only  regiment  that  was  "  firing  a  salute"  along  the  line, 
so  far  as  he  could  see  or  hear,  and  that  even  the  artillery  was  silent,  the 
blood  receded  somewhat  from  his  head,  and  a  shade  of  paleness  passed 
over  his  countenance,  as  he  began  to  apologize  and  excuse  himself  by  re 
peating  that  he  had  received  no  orders  to  stop  and  in  his  earnestness  had 
not  noticed  that  the  other  regiments  had  done  so.  At  this  the  staff'  officer 
had  another  hearty  laugh  at  seeing  that  the  colonel  was  still  in  ignorance 
of  his  mistake,  and  then  kindly  explained  to  him  that  the  order  for  a 
shotted  salute  was  meant  for  the  artillery  alone,  and  not  for  the  infantry, 
and  that  no  other  regiment,  except  his,  could  claim  historic  honors  for 
having  taken  such  an  active  part.  "  Firing  a  salute,"  was  the  joking  re 
ply  to  many  foolish  inquiries  among  the  boys  after  that. 

October  27  another  attempt  was  made  by  General  Grant  to  get  posses 
sion  of  the  South  Side  Railroad  on  the  extreme  right  of  the  enemy's  line  of 
defense  ;  and  to  assist  in  this  General  Butler  was  ordered  to  make  a  dem 
onstration,  with  the  troops  under  his  command,  against  Richmond  on 
the  north  side  of  the  James. 

On  the  same  day,  either  as  a  part  of  the  general  plan,  or  simply  to  get 
the  new  troops  used  to  "  war's  alarms,"  Potter  received  orders  to  make  a 
feint  of  attacking  the  enemy  in  front  of  him  on  the  Bermuda  line. 

The  troops  were  ordered  out  in  light  marching  order,  lines  of  attack 
formed  with  the  Twelfth  in  front,  deployed  as  skirmishers  at  half  distance, 
and  supported  by  the  new  regiments. 

After  dark  the  brigade  was  ordered  forward  over  the  works,  and  the 
Twelfth,  with  only  sixty  men  —  a  few  being  out  on  picket  —  advanced  to 
about  half  way  between  the  lines,  where  it  was  halted,  as  the  men 
supposed  to  rectify  the  supporting  lines,  preparatory  to  a  charge.  But 
after  waiting  there  for  what  seemed  a  long  time  in  silence  and  dark 
ness,  except  as  a  few  scattering  shots  from  the  enemy's  pickets  just  in 
front  gave  warning  that  they  were  on  the  alert,  the  order  came  to  fall 
back  over  the  intrenchments  again. 

Some  of  the  "hundred-days  men"  were  so  badly  frightened  that  they 
broke  away  from  the  ranks,  when  they  found  they  were  to  go  outside 
of  the  front  line  of  works,  and  ran  for  the  rear. 

About  this  time  some  of  the  southern  families  who  had  remained  inside 
our  lines  on  pretense  of  being  Union  people  were  arrested  upon  suspicion 
oi  giving  information  to  the  enemy,  and  the  ladies  brought  in  ambulances 
before  Colonel  Potter,  who  after  questioning  them  awhile,  ordered  them 
reconveyed  to  their  homes.  Evidence,  of  any  weight,  against  them  was 
wanting,  and  their  own  statements  were  neither  contradictory  nor  incon- 


246  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

sistent  with  their  assured  innocence.  And  yet  these  very  women,  as  be 
lieved  by  many,  were  in  daily  communication,  by  signs,  with  the  enemy. 
It  seems  that  Potter  himself  was  far  from  satisfied  that  they  were  as  loyal 
to  the  flag  as  they  ought  to  be,  for  a  few  days  later  Captain  Johnson,  of 
his  staff,  conveyed  orders  to  one  of  these  families  by  the  name  of  Barr,  to 
remove  from  Port  Walthall,  where  they  then  resided,  to  some  other  local 
ity  not  so  plainly  seen  from  the  enemy's  lines. 

November  4  the  national  colors,  received  by  the  regiment  on  the  first 
day  of  September,  1863,  at  Point  Lookout,  were  sent  home  ;  and  four  days 
later  the  soldiers,  who  were  old  enough,  as  well  as  the  legal  voters  of  all 
the  States  not  in  rebellion  against  the  government,  exercised  their  right  of 
choice  as  to  who  should  be  president  of  the  United  or  Disunited  States  of 
America  for  four  years  from  March  4,  1865. 

It  was  probably  the  most  important  presidential  election  ever  held  in  this 
country.  It  was  for  the  people  of  the  loyal  states  to  decide  at  the  ballot- 
box  whether  the  war  was  a  failure,  as  had  been  formally  and  solemnly  de 
clared  in  the  platform  of  one  of  the  two  political  parties,  and  the  demand 
for  an  "  immediate  cessation  of  hostilities"  was  to  be  obeyed  by  Grant, 
Sherman,  and  Sheridan  in  the  field,  and  already  fast  driving  the  enemy 
into  their  last  ditch,  or  whether  the  precious  blood  shed,  and  the  priceless 
lives  sacrificed  on  the  altars  of  constitutional  liberty  and  Christian  free 
dom  should  not  be  in  vain,  but  the  flag  of  our  fathers,  so  long  the  symbol 
of  the  free  on  every  land  and  every  sea,  should  continue  to  wave  in  undis 
puted  sovereignty  long  after  the  causeless  rebellion  of  their  patricidal 
sons  should  be  crushed  out  by  the  loyal  legions  of  the  North,  and  no 
memory  or  mark  of  it  remain  except  upon  the  darkest  page  of  our 
country's  history. 

A  large  majority  of  the  North  believed,  as  the  result  showed,  that  upon 
the  ballot-box,  even  more  than  the  cartridge-box  depended  the  fate  of  the 
Nation ;  and  the  Confederate  officials  at  the  South  not  only  felt,  but 
thoroughly  well  knew,  that  their  only  hope  would  disappear  forever  upon 
the  reelection  of  Abraham  Lincoln. 

McClellan  had  been  slow  and  easy  with  them  when  at  the  head  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  they  hoped  "  to  be  let  alone,"  as  Jefferson  Davis 
had  before  requested,  if  he  should  become  commander-in-chief  of  the 
army  and  navy. 

"  It  is  too  good  news  to  be  true,"  said  a  rebel  officer  when  told  that 
McClellan  had  been  nominated  at  Chicago.  He  seemed  to  think  if  he 
had  been  selected  as  the  Democratic  standard  bearer,  he  would  carry  both 
the  conservative  and  ultra  or  copper-head  elements  of  the  party,  and  be 
almost  certain  of  being  elected.  "And  suppose  he  should  be?"  in 
quired  the  Union  officer,  who  had  met  the  other  between  the  lines  for  the 
purpose  of  exchanging  newspapers.  "Why  then  this  war  would  end," 
replied  the  hopeful  Confederate,  and  what  he  meant  by  that  was  too  well 
understood  to  need  further  inquiry. 


Ne-w  Hampshire   Volunteers.  247 

A  few  weeks  before  election,  an  intelligent  rebel  sergeant  who  had 
come  into  our  lines  was  asked,  what  effect  the  reelection  of  Lincoln  would 
have  upon  the  rank  and  file  of  the  southern  army.  "  It  would  leave  more 
rank  than  file,"  was  the  quick  and  witty  response,  meaning  that  there 
would  soon  be  few  but  officers  left. 

Some  of  the  leading  anti-war  Democrats  of  New  Hampshire,  and  other 
states  bitterly  opposed  giving  the  soldiers  a  right  to  vote  in  the  field,  for 
they  well  knew  that  they  would  "  vote  as  they  shot,"  against  the  enemy, 
and  they  feared  the  result  in  the  general  count. 

The  vote  in  the  Twelfth  stood  86  for  Lincoln  and  39  for  McClellan. 
In  other  New  Hampshire  regiments  the  vote  was  as  follows:  Eleventh, 
157  to  63;  Thirteenth,  104  to  41  ;  Sixth,  100  to  18  ;  and  in  the  Second 
out  of  sixty-nine  present  and  voting  in  the  field,  only  four  voted  for  Mc 
Clellan.  The  Tenth  alone  voted  for  "  Little  Mack." 

The  Provisional  Brigade  at  this  time  consisted  of  the  Twelfth  New 
Hampshire,  two  small  detachments  —  one  each  from  the  the  Ninth  Ver 
mont  and  the  Thirteenth  New  Hampshire  —  and  five  Pennsylvania  (new) 
regiments.  The  vote,  as  officially  returned  by  Colonel  Potter,  was  28  for 
Lincoln  and  i  for  McClellan  in  the  two  detachments,  and  a  majority  of 
937  for  Lincoln  in  the  whole  brigade  ;  the  new  regiments  averaging  about 
six  hundred  men  each,  and  their  vote  standing  nearly  two  to  one  for  the 
prosecution  of  the  war. 

The  vote  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  as  reported  by  states  to  the 
Secretary  of  War,  by  General  Grant,  is  here  given  : 

Maine,  total  vote,  1,677;  Lincoln's  majority,  1,143.  New  Hampshire,  515; 
Lincoln's  majority,  279.  Vermont,  102;  Lincoln's  majority,  42.  Rhode  Island, 
190;  Lincoln's  majority,  134.  Pennsylvania  (seven  regiments  to  hear  from), 
11,122;  Lincoln's  majority,  3,494.  West  Virginia,  82  ;  Lincoln's  majority,  70. 
Ohio,  684;  Lincoln's  majority,  306.  Wisconsin,  1,065;  Lincoln's  majority, 
633.  Michigan,  1,917;  Lincoln's  majority,  745.  Maryland,  1,428;  Lincoln's 
majority,  1,160.  United  States  Sharpshooters,  124;  Lincoln's  majority,  89. 
New  York,  305;  Lincoln's  majority,  113.  Majority  for  Lincoln,  8,208. 

In  one  officer's  diary,  under  date  of  the  pth,  is  the  following  entry  : 
"  Great  cheering  all  along  the  line,  for  the  news  comes  to-day  that  the 
Union  is  safe."  The  rebels  heard  it,  well  understanding  its  meaning,  and 
their  bands  commenced  playing  "  Dixie"  ;  to  which  ours  responded  with 
"Yankee  Doodle,"  "  Red,  White  and  Blue,"  and  "Rally  Round  the 
Flag." 

It  is  said  that  the  president  of  the  Southern  Confederacy  considered  his 
fate  sealed  from  the  moment  he  first  learned  of  the  result  of  the  election. 
If  so,  he  reasoned  wisely. 

One  thing  that  caused  considerable  grumbling  among  the  soldiers  dur 
ing  their  tarry  at  Bermuda  front,  was  being  roused  up  every  morning  at 
4  o'clock  and  obliged  to  stand  to  arms  shivering  in  the  cold  rain  or  frosty 


248  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

air  until  light  enough  to  no  longer  fear  an  attack  of  the  enemy.  Aside 
from  this  their  duties  were  not  hard  for  the  old  soldiers,  and  they  had 
more  reason  to  be  thankful  than  otherwise  for  their  situation. 

For  more  than  a  month,  or  from  the  I4th  of  October,  when  the  regiment 
returned  to  the  south  side  of  the  James,  until  the  iyth  of  November, 
nothing  of  historic  interest,  not  already  referred  to,  occurred,  unless  men 
tion  be  made  of  the  return  of  the  regimental  baggage  from  Norfolk 
where  it  had  been  so  long  stored,  and  the  arrival  of  several  loads  of 
sanitary  supplies  and  boxes  for  the  boys  sent  them  from  home. 

But  their  short  and  swift  run  of  good  luck  was  about  to  receive  a  sudden 
and  serious  check. 

About  8  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  lyth  of  November  the  enemy 
made  a  stealthy  attack  upon  our  picket  line,  breaking  through  and  cap 
turing  seventy-five  or  more  prisoners,  among  whom  were  thirty-seven 
belonging  to  the  Twelfth.  It  was  a  most  unfortunate  affair  for  the  regi 
ment,  for  it  left  it  with  but  a  few  more  men  than  enough  to  form  a  good- 
sized  sergeant's  squad. 

The  attack  was  made  at  the  "gate-way,"  as  it  was  called,  it  being 
the  only  place  along  the  whole  line  between  the  rivers  where  the  enemy 
could  have  made  an  assault  with  any  reasonable  chance  of  success.  It 
was  the  mouth  or  neck  of  the  "  bottle"  into  which  Butler  was  driven  after 
the  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff,  and  which  was  made  historic  from  General 
Grant's  reference  thereto  in  his  final  report  after  the  war.  In  fact,  the 
shape  of  the  line  at  this  place,  bulging  out  as  it  did  toward  the  enemy, 
more  resembled  the  top  of  a  bottle  with  the  neck  knocked  off. 

At  this  only  available  point  of  attack  for  the  enemy,  because  of  a  deep 
ravine  that  ran  along  the  rest  of  the  line,  old  and  reliable  troops  had 
always  been  posted,  and,  at  this  time,  it  was  picketed  by  men  from  the 
Twelfth.  The  regiment  was  so  reduced  in  numbers  that  its  detail  for 
picket  duty  that  day  was  too  small  to  reach  across  the  whole  exposed 
space  without  leaving  the  line  too  weak,  and  so  enough  men  from  the 
new  regiments,  stationed  upon  either  flank,  were  deployed  in  right  and 
left  connection  with  the  Twelfth  to  cover  the  full  distance. 

The  enemy,  being  well  aware  that  our  troops  were  up  and  early  on  the 
alert  every  morning,  as  before  mentioned,  concluded  to  test  our  vigilance 
at  the  other  end  of  the  day  ;  and  so  they  made  their  attack  just  after 
dark,  instead  of  just  before  light.  Although  the  rebels  made  quite  a 
vigorous  assault,  the  Twelfth  men  were  not  inclined  to  think  it  anything 
more  than  a  lively  "corn-popping"  entertainment  for  the  evening,  as  fre 
quently  had  occurred  between  the  lines  when  they  were  in  front  of  Peters 
burg,  until,  to  their  great  surprise,  they  found  the  rebels  in  their  rear  as 
well  as  their  front,  and  loudly  demanding  their  surrender. 

The  new  troops,  fresh  from  fields  of  peaceful  husbandry,  instead  of 
those  "  sown  with  shot  and  bladed  thick  with  steel,"  concluded  — 

"  When  the  bullets  began  to  fly, 
That  they  must  either  run  or  die ;  " 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers,  249 

and,  being  much  more  willing  to  use  their  legs  than  lose  their  lives,  they 
struck  out  briskly  for  the  rear;  some  of  them  not  stopping,  it  was  said, 
until  they  reached  City  Point. 

Lieut.  Charles  F.  Towle,  in  command  of  the  detail  from  the  Twelfth, 
thinking,  from  all  he  could  learn  by  sounds  coming  to  him  from  the  right 
and  left,  that  the  rebels  were  flanking  him,  ordered  his  men  to  fall  back  ; 
but  hearing  nothing  to  confirm  his  belief,  as  he  brought  them  to  a  halt  a 
few  yards  to  the  rear  (the  flight  of  the  new  troops  leaving  nothing  for 
the  enemy  to  do  but  to  silently  circle  around  his  command),  he  ordered 
them  to  advance  again.  Both  orders  were  plainly  heard  by  the  attack 
ing  rebels,  who  were  close  upon  the  flanks  of  the  Twelfth  line  when  it 
fell  back,  and  who  were  glad  to  hear  the  order  for  our  men  to  advance, 
for  its  only  effect  was  to  give  them  more  prisoners,  and  of  a  kind  that 
they  would  much  rather  guard  than  fight. 

Before  some  of  the  men  had  regained  their  posts  they  were  entirely 
surrounded,  and  most  of  them  captured.  A  few,  by  dropping  flat  into  the 
ploughed  furrows  of  a  field  that  had  been  cultivated,  until  the  rebels 
passed  over  them  from  their  rear,  and  then  rolling  from  one  furrow  to 
another  until  far  enough  away  to  risk  a  run  in  the  darkness,  managed  to 
escape. 

In  the  mean  time  officers  and  men  from  the  new  regiments  came 
back  to  the  reserve,  then  under  the  command  of  Captain  Fernal,  with 
all  sorts  of  stories,  but  nothing  could  be  heard  from  the  Twelfth  men, 
none  for  some  time  making  their  appearance,  and  what  the  exact  situa 
tion  at  the  front  was,  no  one  could  tell.  That  there  had  been  a  serious 
break  and  a  regular,  or  rather  irregular,  stampede  of  the  "  raw  recruits" 
was  only  too  evident.  But  what  had  become  of  the  fifty  or  more  officers 
and  men  from  the  Twelfth,  was  the  question  that  Colonel  Potter  was 
getting  momentarily  more  impatient  to  have  answered  by  someone  more 
reliable  than  any  of  the  badly  frightened  hundred-days  men  whom  he 
had  seen  ;  for  not  only  was  he  anxious  for  the  fate  of  his  old  regimental 
boys  themselves,  but  still  more  so,  because  he  well  knew  that  upon  their 
safety  depended  the  security  of  the  line. 

"Where  are  the  Twelfth  boys?"  he  would  ask,  as  he  walked  up  and 
clown  in  front  of  his  quarters.  "  If  the  line  is  broken,  as  all  these  cow 
ardly  run-aways  are  telling,  why  do  n't  we  hear  something  from  the 
Twelfth?"  "  We  shall  before  long,  if  it  is  true,"  replied  Colonel  Barker, 
who,  with  Captain  Bedee  and  one  or  two  other  staff"  officers,  was  waiting 
and  listening,  "  and  the  very  fact  that  we  don't,"  added  Captain  Bedee, 

"is  evidence  enough  for  me  that  it's  all  a  d d  lie."  "So  I  say," 

continued  Barker. 

But  Potter  was  still  fearful  of  what  the  situation  might  be,  and  was 
about  to  send  a  competent  officer  forward  to  investigate,  when  news  came 
from  the  "  Mountaineers,"  as  written  by  the  messenger  himself,  Sergt. 
Charles  A.  Place,  and  here  copied  : 


250  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

At  Bermuda  Hundred,  on  the  night  of  the  lyth  of  November,  1864,  the 
rebels  thought  they  would  straighten  their  picket  line ;  for  in  so  doing  it  would 
bring  a  portion  of  their  line  where  ours  then  was,  and  that  portion  was  then 
occupied  by  a  detail  from  our  regiment. 

The  enemy  charged  both  right  and  left,  and  their  intention  was  to  capture  us 
all,  which,  through  the  unreliance  of  green  troops  upon  our  flanks,  they  nearly 
accomplished.  C.  F.  Towle,  officer  of  our  picket  detail,  ordered  us,  after  a 
while,  to  fall  back,  which  we  did,  with  the  exception  of  the  killed  and  wounded. 

We  had  retreated  but  a  short  distance  when  the  order  was  given  to  advance, 
every  man  to  his  post.  I  took  my  former  position  and  commenced  firing,  when 
I  was  ordered  to  surrender,  the  Johnnies  being  all  around  us  ;  but  I  had  no 
notion  of  going  to  Richmond  as  prisoner,  so  I  turned  and  ran  from  them,  and 
heard  one  say,  "shoot  the  son  of  a  b h,"  and  a  volley  of  bullets  came  whiz 
zing  about  me.  I  kept  on  and  came  in  over  the  works  without  injury,  and 
reported  to  Captain  Fernal. 

I  think  I  was  the  only  man  that  escaped  capture,  that  advanced  to  our  former 
position  after  having  retreated. 

I  told  Captain  Fernal  the  result,  and  we  made  our  way  to  Colonel  Potter's 
headquarters  and  told  him  that  our  pickets  were  all  captured,  and  that  the  enemy 
occupied  our  line  ;  but  he  did  not  credit  my  story,  and  told  the  captain  to  put 
me  under  arrest.  The  captain  did  not,  however,  but  sent  me  into  his  tent,  and 
told  me  all  would  be  right,  for  he  knew  full  well,  that  I  was  telling  what  I  believed 
to  be  true,  whether  it  was  or  not. 

Colonel  Potter  then  sent  out  Captain  Bedee,  who  took  along  with  him  Ser 
geant  Bachelor,  of  Company  E,  to  learn  the  truth  of  the  matter;  but  they  did 
not  return  to  report,  being  captured  like  the  Vest.  After  this  he  sent  out  the 
regiment,  or  what  was  left  of  it,  but  their  reconnoissance  only  proved  that  the 
enemy  held  our  line,  as  I  had  reported,  and  that  to  retake  it  would  require  a 
severe  contest. 

When  Captain  Bedee  left  headquarters  for  the  picket  line,  he  said,  in 
reply  to  some  remark  of  caution  made  to  him  :  "  I'll  look  out  for  myself, 
never  fear;  and  I'll  soon  let  you  know  what's  up  and  where  the  Twelfth 
is,  unless  I  have  to  go  to  Richmond  or  Hell  to  find  out."  After  his 
exchange  and  return  to  the  regiment,  he  was  asked  which  place  he  had 
been  to.  "Both?  was  his  quick  and  emphatic  reply,  and  it  was  full  of 
meaning  ;  but  no  one  can  have  a  realizing  sense  of  its  full  significance  who 
has  never  been  a  visitor  at  the  first  named  place,  and  supplied  with  free 
board  and  lodging  there  at  "  Libby's  Hotel,"  as  the  boys  used  to  call  it. 

Colonel  Potter  no  sooner  learned  that  his  line,  with  many  of  his  old 
regiment,  had  been  captured  by  the  enemy,  by  the  cowardly  action  of  the 
new  levies  from  Pennsylvania,  than  he  resolved  that  they  should  be  made, 
if  possible,  to  retake  it.  How  well  they  succeeded  will  be  seen  from  the 
following  account  of  the  capture  of  our  line,  and  the  first  attempt  to 
retake  it,  from  the  pen  of  the  late  Capt.  J.  H.  Prescott : 

When  Colonel  Potter  returned,  and  was  placed  in  charge  of  a  provisional 
brigade  which  held  a  part  or  the  whole  of  the  Bermuda  front,  I  was  detailed  as 
an  aide  to  him,  and  remained  with  him  for  some  time. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  251 

While  here,  there  were  a  great  many  hundred-days'  men,  from  Pennsylvania, 
sent  out,  and  three  or  four  regiments  of  them  to  Colonel  Potter's  command. 
They  were  not  used  much,  except  for  drill  and  fatigue,  and  knew  nothing  of 
service  in  the  field. 

About  in  the  centre  of  Potter's  line  was  an  open  field,  running  all  the  way 
from  our  line  to  that  of  the  enemy,  and  our  picket  posts  on  this  field  formed 
nearly  a  half-circle  in  our  line,  the  advance  part  of  the  arch  reaching  into  the 
woods  or  underbrush.  One  night  the  "rebs"  took  it  into  their  heads  to 
straighten  this  line,  and  they  did  it,  coming  in  as  they  did,  from  both  sides  of 
the  circle  svhere  the  new  troops  had  been  stationed.  The  circle  part  being  the 
most  exposed,  old  and  tried  troops  were  stationed  upon  it,  and  this  night  it 
was  held  by  the  Twelfth  boys,  nearly  all  of  whom  were  captured,  almost  before 
they  knew  it. 

A  new,  temporary  line  was  formed  in  the  night  quite  close  in  front  of  our  breast 
works,  and  some  of  these  new  troops  had  to  be  called  into  service  to  man  the 
new  line.  When  it  came  daylight  Colonel  Potter  sent  me  out  to  advance  this 
new  picket  line  so  that  it  should  become  straight  with  the  rest  of  our  line,  as  it 
now  bent  back  instead  of  forward,  as  before  the  break.  I  went  out  and  found  a 
heavy  picket  line  with  strong  reserves,  and  every  man  flat  upon  the  ground. 
I  went  to  the  right,  and  walked  the  whole  length  of  the  line,  and  gave  my 
orders,  letting  them  know  what  was  to  be  done.  I  then  returned  to  the 
centre  of  the  line,  and  gave  the  command  and  signal  to  move  forward.  The 
men  got  up  and  started  pretty  well.  The  enemy,  at  this,  of  course  opened  fire, 
and  at  the  very  first  shot  every  man  fell  flat  again  upon  the  ground.  But  this  was 
not  the  worst,  for  as  the  firing  from  the  rebel  line  increased,  the  men  became 
more  frightened  and  the  line  began  to  break,  some  crowding  to  the  rear,  and 
some  getting  up  and  running  in  the  same  direction. 

No  sooner  did  they  see  one  coward  run  than  others,  who  dared  to  rise  up, 
thought  it  a  good  example  to  imitate,  and  commenced  to  flee  also.  I  had  to  yell 
and  rush  along  the  line,  and  drive  back  those  making  for  the  rear.  Officers  were 
as  bad  as  the  men.  First  a  sergeant,  then  a  corporal,  and  then  half  a  do/en 
privates  would  break  from  the  line,  and  soon  a  lieutenant  came  rushing  along, 
half  scared  to  death.  I  caught  him  by  the  collar,  and  drew  my  sword  as  if  to 
run  him  through.  What  I  said  to  him  any  old  soldier  can  easily  imagine.  lie 
begged  of  me  not  to  kill  him  ;  and  I  told  him  I  would  not  if  he  would  return  to 
his  place  and  do  his  duty.  This  he  promised  to  do,  for  he  was  evidently  more 
afraid  of  me  than  rebel  bullets,  that  by  this  time  were  flying  thick  and  fast. 

In  this  way  I  saved  a  general  panic.  I  finally  got  the  men  in  line  again  upon 
their  bellies,  picking  them  out  of  the  hollows  and  bushes  where  they  had  hid 
and  sought  shelter  like  chickens  frightened  by  a  hawk. 

I  thought  it  best  not  to  attempt  trying  it  again  with  that  line;  so,  as  soon  as  1 
hail  restored  confidence  enough  in  the  officers  and  men  to  dare  to  leave  them,  I 
went  in  and  reported  to  Colonel  Potter. 

He  had  been  on  the  breastworks,  and  saw  all  that  had  happened,  and  had 
already  sent  for  some  experienced  troops.  He  told  me  that  I  had  done  all  I 
could,  and  that  we  would  wait  for  troops  that  were  good  for  something. 

The  boys  joked  me  for  a  long  time  about  my  danger  of  a  court-martial  for 
drawing  my  sword  on  an  officer.  It  was  only  fate,  as  it  seems  to  me,  that  pre- 


252  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

served  me  on  this  occasion,  as  at  other  times.  For  several  minutes  I  was  the 
only  target  for  the  whole  rebel  line.  This  was  my  last  dangerous  experience 
while  in  the  service. 

The  loss  of  the  regiment  in  this  unfortunate  affair  was :  three  com 
missioned  officers — one  wounded  and  two  captured;  one  enlisted  man 
killed,  six  wounded,  and  thirty-five  captured. 

Sergt.  Albert  W.  Bachelor,  of  Company  E,  and  Benjamin  B.  Thomp 
son,  of  Company  K,  who  were  among  those  taken  prisoners,  escaped 
from  Libby  prison  December  12,  and  after  eight  days  and  nights  of 
perilous  adventure,  succeeded  in  reaching  the  Union  lines. 

Their  return  to  the  regiment  was  an  occasion  of  general  congratulation 
by  their  comrades,  who  feared  they  would  never  see  them  again  until  the 
end  of  the  war,  if  ever. 

The  Confederates  continued  to  hold  the  new  line  that  they  had  so 
easily  established  against  us  at  our  own  expense  for  several  days,  and 
until  the  division  of  colored  troops  relieved  the  Provisional  Brigade  on 
the  Bermuda  front,  and  retook  the  old  line  we  had  lost. 

Whoever  else  may  question  the  courage  and  efficiency  of  the  negro 
soldiers,  it  will  never  be  the  rebel  whites  who  met  them  there  or  elsewhere 
on  the  field  of  battle  :  but  last  of  all  should  it  ever  come  from  the  "  Penn 
sylvania  Dutch." 

Although  "the  Dutch  have  taken  Holland"  many  times,  if  editors' 
pens  are  never  dipped  in  lying  ink ;  yet,  if  any  of  their  blood  still  runs  in 
the  veins  of  some  of  their  American  descendants,  they  could  never  have 
been  a  very  warlike  people. 

From  the  iyth  to  the  22d  it  rained  more  or  less  every  day  and  night, 
and  then  cleared  off  cold  and  windy,  reminding  the  New  England  men 
of  the  long  and  cold  fall  rains  of  their  native  clime,  followed  by  days  — 

"Cruel  as  Winter,  and  cold  as  the  snow." 

But  Thanksgiving — a  day  never  to  be  forgotten  by  the  sons  and 
daughters  of  New  England,  wherever  their  future  station  or  home  may 
be  —  was  close  at  hand,  and  though  mothers  and  sisters  could  not  be 
present  to  prepare  for  the  oven  and  transfer  to  the  table,  as  of  yore,  yet 
the  love  and  labor  of  their  hearts  and  hands  were  manifest  as  wagon- 
load  after  wagon-load  of  well  filled  boxes  were  hauled  into  camp  from 
City  Point,  all  containing  "  something  good  and  nice  for  the  boys." 
Most  of  these  were  received  and  distributed  through  the  different  state 
agencies  at  Washington,  but  many  of  them  were  direct  from  home  to  a 
father,  brother,  or  son,  at  the  front. 

The  Twelfth  received  for  its  share  of  the  distribution  :  one  hundred 
pounds  of  turkeys  and  chickens,  one  barrel  of  crackers,  one  bushel  of 
cranberries,  five  pounds  of  dried  apples,  and  several  other  supplies, 
among  which  were  the  medicinal  as  well  as  the  edible.  This  not  only 


Nciv  Hampshire   Volunteers,  253 

gave  the  regiment  enough  to  eat  for  one  day,  but  many  lunch  and  dessert 
bites  beside  ;  so  many,  in  fact,  that  when  pieced  out  by  the  smaller  but 
choicer  boxes  received  by  individual  members  from  home,  many  were 
made  dainty  of  their  old  rations,  and  some  became  sick.  It  is  not  sur 
prising,  however,  that  such  an  uncommonly  good  opportunity  should  be 
grabbed  at  too  eagerly  by  some  to  be  judiciously  improved. 

This  was  the  last  Yankee  Thanksgiving  in  "  Dixie"  ;  and,  believing  it 
to  be  such,  the  few  who  were  alive  and  present  to  enjoy,  made  the  most 
of  it  that  their  situation  and  surroundings  allowed. 

On  the  27th  General  Ferrero's  division  of  colored  troops  arrived,  and 
the  Twelfth  changed  their  quarters  for  those  of  one  of  the  new  regiments 
that  had  been  ordered  away.  It  remained  on  the  old  line,  however,  until 
December  3,  when  it  again  moved  to  the  north  side  of  the  James,  where 
it  was  assigned  the  next  day  to  the  Second  Brigade,  Third  Division, 
Fourth  Army  Corps  —  the  Eighteenth  and  Tenth  having  been  discon 
tinued,  and  the  Army  of  the  James  re-organized  into  the  Twenty-fourth 
and  Twenty-fifth  Corps,  the  former  consisting  of  white  troops  and  the 
latter  of  colored  troops,  and  commanded  by  Generals  Ord  and  Weitzel 
respectively. 

The  Twenty-fourth  Corps  was  now  commanded  by  Major-General 
Ord,  its  Third  Division  by  Gibbon,  and  Colonel  Potter,  upon  being 
relieved  from  service  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  was  assigned  to  the  command 
of  the  Second  Brigade  of  General  Gibbon's  division  ;  so  that  the  new 
organization  still  left  the  Twelfth  under  the  brigade  command  of  its  old 
Colonel,  who  ought  before  then  to  have  been  wearing  the  "  stars,"  as  he 
probably  would  had  General  Whipple  lived  long  enough,  after  his  death 
wound  at  Chancellorsville,  "  to  do  justice  to  Colonel  Potter  and  his  brave 
men,"  as  it  was  his  dying  wish  that  he  might. 

After  the  colored  troops  took  the  places  of  the  whites  on  the  Bermuda 
front,  all  friendliness  between  the  opposing  pickets  at  once  disappeared, 
and  a  constant  interchange  of  shots  between  them  was  kept  up  on  some 
parts  of  the  line,  where  there  was  any  chance  of  inflicting  injury  upon 
each  other,  for  nearly  every  hour  in  the  day  or  night.  The  rebel  soldiers 
were  ordered  to  fire  upon  the  colored  pickets  at  every  opportunity. 

It  was  verily  the  active  demonstration  of  the  "irrepressible  conflict" 
that  Seward  had  spoken  of  and  others  had  predicted  ;  and  those  who  had 
so  long  been  pressed  down,  were  rising  slowly  but  surely  toward  a  com 
mon  level  before  the  law,  for  which  they  were  already  contesting,  on 
equal  footing  with  their  oppressors,  on  the  field  of  battle. 

Soon  after  returning  to  the  north  side  of  the  James  the  regiment  com 
menced  again,  and  for  the  third  time,  to  build  winter  quarters,  but  they 
were  not  finished  until  the  i5th,  upon  which  day  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Barker  was  presented  with  an  elegantly  finished  sword,  with  sash  and 
belt  to  match,  and  a  pair  of  spurs,  the  whole  costing  two  hundred  and 
forty-six  dollars,  itemized  as  follows:  Sword,  $150:  belt,  $60;  sash. 


254  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

$30 ;  and  spurs,  $6.  These  tokens  of  appreciation  were  given  him  by 
officers  and  men  of  his  regiment,  that  he  had  so  long  and  ably  com 
manded,  and  most  faithfully  had  he  earned  them. 

The  new  encampment  was  upon  "  Chapin's  Farm,"  so  called,  because 
owned  by  a  rich  planter  by  that  name,  and  occupied  by  him  or  his  family 
until  vacated  upon  the  arrival  of  our  troops  upon  that  side  of  the  river  just 
before  the  battle,  known  by  that  name,  that  resulted  in  the  capture  of  Fort 
Harrison.  A  further  mention  may  be  made  of  this  place  in  another  con 
nection. 

The  Twelfth  was  now  encamped  within  seven  miles  of  Richmond,  and 
nearer  the  doomed  city  than  ever  before,  except  for  a  few  days  while 
working  upon  and  occupying  the  intrenchments  north  of  the  fort  as  pre 
viously  described. 

During  the  winter  of  1864-5  there  was  but  little  fighting  north  of  the 
James,  or  on  the  Bermuda  line,  but  the  Union  works  were  often  so  thinly 
manned  by  reason  of  sending  troops  from  there  to  the  extreme  left,  where 
Grant  was  almost  constantly  pounding  away  upon  Lee's  right  flank,  and 
his  lines  of  communication  and  supply,  that  great  vigilance,  and  some 
times  double  duty,  were  required  of  the  small  force  allowed  to  remain. 
The  men  were  frequently  obliged  to  turn  out  an  hour  or  more  before  light 
and  stand  to  arms  until  roll-call. 

The  irksome  drill  was  still  kept  up,  and  much  attention  was  given  to 
the  bayonet  exercise,  so  that  the  men  might  be  able  to  do  effective  work 
at  close  quarters  should  the  enemy  attack  ;  and  this,  together  with  picket, 
police,  and  other  camp  duties,  and  interspersed  with  many  inspections, 
left  little  or  no  time  for  amusement.  But  though  their  duties  were  many 
and  sometimes  burdensome,  they  were  neither  severe  nor  exhausting  as 
in  the  earlier  days  of  Grant's  campaign,  and  the  men  bore  it  all  with  sub 
missive  patience,  for  they  fully  believed  that  the  time  was  short  that  their 
services  would  be  further  needed. 

They  were  strengthened  in  this  belief  as  they  heard  of  the  successes  of 
Sherman  in  the  South,  Thomas  in  the  West,  and  Terry  at  Fort  Fisher 
and  Wilmington.  But  more  than  all  these  to  encourage  them  were  the 
increasing  desertions  from  the  rebel  ranks,  already  alluded  to  in  this 
chapter ;  for  if  General  Lee  could  no  longer  hold  his  own  army  together, 
how  could  he  much  longer  continue  to  resist  ours,  the  strong  cordon  of 
which  was  strengthening  and  tightening  every  day?  Nor  was  it  strange 
to  those  who  heard  the  discouraging  stories  of  these  deserters,  that  their 
numbers  were  daily  increasing.  It  was  not  all  because  they  had  got  sick 
of  fighting  for  what  was  already  to  them  the  "  lost  cause,"  but  because, 
also,  that  the  rebel  commissary  supply,  during  the  months  of  December 
and  January,  was  so  scant  and  insufficient,  that  it  had  actually  become  a 
debatable'  question  in  the  rebel  ranks  whether  they  should  stay  and 
starve,  or  leave  and  live. 

Confirmatory  of  this  is  the  following  from  General  Humphreys's  "  Vir 
ginia  Campaign  of  1864-5  "  : 


Nc-w  Hampshire   Volunteers.  255 

The  winter  of  '64-=;  was  one  of  unusual  severity,  making  the  picket  duty  in 
front  of  the  intrenchments  very  severe.  It  was  especially  so  to  the  Confederate 
troops,  with  their  threadbare,  insufficient  clothing,  and  meagre  food  —  chiefly 
corn  bread  made  of  the  coarsest  meal.  Meat  they  had  but  little  of,  and  their 
subsistence  department  was  actually  importing  it  from  abroad.  Of  co flee,  tea,  or 
sugar,  they  had  none  except  in  the  hospitals. 

It  is  stated,  that  in  a  secret  session  of  the  Confederate  Congress  the  condition 
of  the  Confederacy,  as  to  subsistence  was  declared  to  be  : 

That  there  was  not  enough  in  the  Southern  Confederacy  for  the  armies  it  had 
in  the  field. 

That  there  was  not  in  Virginia  either  meat  or  bread  enough  for  the  armies 
within  her  limits. 

That  the  supply  of  bread  for  those  armies  to  be  obtained  from  other  places, 
depended  absolutely  upon  keeping  open  the  railroad  connections  of  the  South. 

That  the  meat  must  be  obtained  from  abroad  through  a  seaport  by  blockade 
runners. 

That  the  transportation  was  not  now  adequate,  from  whatever  cause,  to  meet 
the  necessary  demands  of  the  service. 

That  the  supply  of  fresh  meat  to  General  Lee's  army  was  precarious,  and,  if 
the  army  fell  back  from  Richmond  and  Petersburg,  that  there  was  every  prob 
ability  that  it  would  cease  altogether. 

The  condition  of  the  deserters  who  came  into  our  lines  during  the  winter, 
appeared  to  prove  that  there  was  no  exaggeration  in  these  statements. 

Some  time  in  February  the  Confederate  commissariat  was  got  into  better  con 
dition,  and  Lee's  army  was  better  rationed  from  that  time  until  the  fall  of  Rich 
mond  and  Petersburg,  and  reserve  depots  were  maintained  at  Richmond, 
Lynchburg,  Danville,  and  Greensborough,  containing  three  and  a  half  million 
rations  of  bread. 

But  the  rolling  stock  of  the  railroads  was  so  worn  that  it  could  no  longer  bring 
the  necessary  number  of  rations  to  Lee's  army  in  addition  to  the  other  require 
ments  made  upon  it,  and  \vagon  trains  were  resorted  to  wherever  practicable. 

Christmas  day  the  finishing  blast —  so  far  as  it  ever  was  finished  —  was 
made  in  Dutch  Gap,  its  bulkhead  being  blown  out  upon  that  day,  if  Gen 
eral  Butler's  own  account  is  correct,  instead  of  New  Year's  day  as 
related  in  some  regimental  histories,  and  confirmed  by  the  diary  entry  of 
Sergeant  Noyes,  of  the  Twelfth.  This  mistake  arose,  probably,  from 
the  fact'that  both  of  the  days  came  on  Sunday- 

This  last  convulsive  effort  to  make  the  "  big  ditch"  a  success  was  all 
in  vain  ;  for  not  another  thing  was  ever  done  upon  it  during  the  war,  no 
attempt  being  made  even  to  dredge  out  the  dirt  that  fell  back  and 
dammed  back  the  water  of  the  river  that  might  otherwise,  to  some  small 
extent,  have  flowed  in.  It  was  a  foolish  undertaking  from  the  start,  and 
its  total  failure  adversely  affected  the  reputation  of  its  projector. 

The  old  year  expired  and  was  shrouded  in  snow,  and  the  Borean  blasts 
that  heralded  the  new,  convinced  the  shivering  hosts  in  army  blue,  that 
old  General  Winter's  department  reached  much  farther  southward  than 
"  Mason  and  Dixon's  line." 


256  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

January  7  General  Butler  was  relieved  from  his  command  in  the  army 
by  order  of  President  Lincoln,  and  directed  to  "  repair  to  Lowell,  Mass., 
and  report  by  letter  to  the  adjutant-general  of  the  army." 

This  was  done  at  the  request  of  General  Grant,  sent  to  Secretary  Stan- 
ton  three  days  before,  in  which  he  says  :  "  I  do  this  with  reluctance-,  but 
the  good  of  the  service  requires  it.  In  my  absence  General  Butler  neces 
sarily  commands,  and  there  is  a  lack  of  confidence  felt  in  his  military 
ability,  making  him  an  unsafe  commander  for  a  large  army.  His  admin 
istration  of  the  affairs  of  his  department  is  also  objectionable." 

The  same  request,  without  the  reasons,  was  telegraphed  to  the  president 
himself  on  the  6th. 

Thus  was  General  Grant  obliged  to  ask  the  abrupt  rejection  of  his  own 
special  selection  :  and  General  Butler,  whatever  his  faults  and  failings, 
was  subjected  thereby  to  greater  humiliation,  than  could  in  proper  regard 
for  his  past  services  be  well  justified. 

Though  strongly  affiliated  with,  and  one  of  the  leaders  of,  a  great 
national  party,  the  greater  portion  of  which  took  an  active  part  in,  or 
sympathized  with,  the  secession  movement  that  precipitated  the  war,  he 
was  among  the  very  first  of  the  prominent  men  of  the  North  to  step  forth 
in  defense  of  his  country,  and  had,  to  the  best  of  his  ability,  long  and 
earnestly  labored  and  fought  in  her  defense. 

That  he  had  not  always  been  successful  in  his  efforts,  and  had  signally 
failed  when  much  was  required  and  most  expected  of  him,  as  in  his  last 
campaign,  no  one,  conversant  with  his  military  career,  will  deny  ;  but 
that  he  was  not  alone  to  blame  for  these  failures,  as  has  been  shown  in  a 
previous  chapter,  and  that  he  succeeded  at  other  times  and  places,  as  at 
Baltimore,  New  Orleans,  and  New  York,  where  few,  if  any,  could  have 
done  so  well,  and  many  would  have  totally  failed,  must  in  truth  and  jus 
tice  be  admitted. 

Sometimes  proudly  alone,  and  always  strangely  unique,  Butler  long 
stood  conspicuously  and  defiantly  forth  in  the  public  arena,  a  target  for 
his  foes  and  a  shield  for  his  friends. 

But  he  has  at  last  fallen  from  the  ranks  of  time,  and  as  a  soldier  pa 
triot,  if  for  nothing  else,  let  him  be  remembered  with  all  kindness  and 
charity. 

His  farewell  address  issued  on  the  8th,  is  here  given  : 

Soldiers  of  the  Army  of  the  James: 

Your  commander,  relieved  by  order  of  the  president,  takes  leave  of  you. 
Your  conduct  in  the  field  extorted  praises  from  the  unwilling.  You  have  endured 
the  privations  of  the  camp  and  the  inarch  without  a  murmur.  You  have  never 
failed  to  attack  when  ordered.  You  have  stormed  and  carried  works  deemed 
impregnable  by  the  enemy.  You  have  shown  the  positions  to  be  so  by  holding 
them  against  his  fiercest  assaults  in  the  attempt  to  retake  them. 

Those  skilled  in  war  have  marvelled  at  the  obstacles  overcome  by  your  valor. 
Your  deeds  have  rendered  your  names  illustrious. 


New  Plampshire   Volunteers.  257 

In  after  times  your  general's  proudest  memory  will  be  to  say  with  you:  "I, 
too,  was  of  the  Army  of  the  James."  To  share  your  companionship  is  pleasure. 
To  participate  in  such  acts  is  honor. 

To  have  commanded  such  an  army  is  glory.  No  one  could  yield  it  without 
regret.  Knowing  your  willing  obedience  to  orders,  witnessing  the  ready  devo 
tion  of  your  blood  in  your  country's  cause,  I  have  been  chary  of  the  precious 
charge  confided  to  me.  I  have  refused  to  order  the  useless  sacrifice  of  the  lives 

o 

of  such  soldiers,  and  I  am  relieved  from  your  command. 

The  wasted  blood  of  my  men  does  not  stain  my  garments.  For  my  action  I 
am  responsible  to  God  and  my  country. 

To  the  Colored  Troops  of  the  Army  of  tJic  James: 

In  this  army  you  have  been  treated  not  as  laborers  but  as  soldiers.  You  have 
shown  yourselves  worthy  of  the  uniform  you  wear. 

The  best  officers  of  the  Union  seek  to  command  you.  Your  bravery  has  won 
the  admiration  even  of  those  who  would  be  your  masters.  Your  patriotism  and 
fidelity  have  illustrated  the  best  qualities  of  manhood.  With  the  bayonet  .you 
have  unlocked  the  iron-barred  gates  of  prejudice,  opening  new  fields  of  freedom, 
liberty,  and  equality,  of  right  to  yourselves  and  your  race  forever. 

Comrades  of  the  Army  of  the  James,  I  bid  you  all  farewell. 

BENJ.  F.   BUTLER, 

Major-  General. 
$ 

January  17  Colonel  Potter  was  relieved  from  the  command  of  the 
Second  Brigade  to  accept  the  position  of  chief-of-staff  to  General  Gibbon, 
who  had  been  promoted  to  the  command  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Corps  in 
place  of  General  Ord,  who  assumed  command  of  the  Army  of  the  James, 
and  the  Department  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina  as  recently  held  by 
General  Butler.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Birney,  of  the  Ninth  Vermont, 
assumed  command  of  the  brigade  after  Potter  left. 

On  the  same  day  there  was  a  review  of  the  corps  by  its  new  com 
mander  ;  and  as  General  Gibbon  was  riding  along  the  line  an  orderly 
handed  him  a  dispatch,  which  he  no  sooner  glanced  over  than  he  read 
aloud  to  the  troops.  It  was  that  Fort  Fisher  had  fallen,  and  that  General 
Terry  and  his  brave  men  were  in  possession,  holding  one  thousand  of  its 
late  defenders  as  prisoners  of  war. 

"Then,"  in  the  language  of  a  Twelfth  staff"  officer  who  was  present, 
"  went  up  three  hearty  cheers,  followed  by  the  sneering  cry  :  '  How  is 
Lowell  stock  now?  How  are  you,  Butler?" 

It  will  be  remembered  by  the  old  veterans,  and  the  younger  readers 
can  learn  it  from  history,  that  an  expedition  had  been  sent  down  the  coast 
under  General  Butler  in  December  to  capture  Fort  Fisher  ;  but  after  ex 
ploding  a  boat-load  of  powder,  in  the  vain  and  very  foolish  attempt  to 
demolish  the  Fort  by  the  concussion,  and  making  some  slight  demonstra 
tion  of  attack,  he  returned  with  the  report  that  it  was  impracticable  to 
assault  as  the  fort  was  too  strong  to  be  taken  even  by  the  combined 
efforts  of  the  land  and  naval  forces. 


17 


258  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

To  this,  however,  Admiral  Porter,  who  commanded  the  fleet,  did  not 
agree,  nor  General  Grant  either;  for  no  sooner  did  Butler's  troops  return, 
than  they  were  sent  back  under  General  Terry  with  the  successful  result 
above  referred  to. 

On  the  same  day  a  system  of  competitive  inspections  was  instituted  by 
General  Gibbon,  by  means  of  which  the  successful  soldiers  in  the  contest 
were  given  furloughs,  and  the  regiments  found  most  deserving  of  com 
mendation  were  excused  from  all  duty  for  one  week. 

Regimental  and  company  inspections  were  required  on  Sunday  and 
Wednesday  of  each  week,  and  the  company  commanders  at  each  inspec 
tion  had  to  select  the  soldier  "best  in  order"  in  his  company  and  send 
him  to  the  regimental  commander,  who  was  to  select  from  those  sent  him 
from  the  different  companies  the  best,  in  his  judgment,  and  send  him  up 
to  the  brigade  commander,  and  he  in  turn  to  select  from  those  sent  to  him 
the  man  who  should  represent  his  brigade  at  division  headquarters,  where 
another  and  the  final  test  inspection  of  the  men  from  the  several  brigades, 
decided  who,  among  all  the  contestants,  should  be  the  proud  and  happy 
recipient  of  a  thirty  days'  furlough  home. 

On  every  alternate  Sunday,  commencing  on  the  22d,  brigade  com 
manders  were  required  to  inspect  each  regiment  in  their  commands, 
reporting  to  division  headquarters  the  regiments  found  "  best  in  order  " 
and  those  considered  "worst  in  order";  and  those  reported  best  were  to 
be  excused  from  all  picket  and  outside  details  for  one  week,  and  from 
those  reported  worst  no  furloughs  were  to  be  granted  until  they  had 
changed  their  inspection  rating. 

And  on  the  Wednesday  succeeding  these  brigade  inspections,  the  best 
regiments,  thus  selected,  were  inspected  again  by  the  division  com 
mander,  whose  duty  it  was  to  select  from  them  the  final  best,  and  order 
it  excused  from  another  week's  duty. 

As  was  expected  and  intended,  this  order  created  a  sharp  rivalship 
between  the  men  and  regiments,  as  to  whom  or  which  should  be  reported 
"  best  in  order,"  which  phrase,  in  military  construction,  meant  in  the  best 
order  and  condition  in  everything  pertaining  to  the  soldier  —  his  person, 
deportment,  clothes,  knapsack,  gun,  and  equipments  —  in  which  he,  by 
his  own  care,  diligence,  and  attention,  could  make  any  improvement. 

But  it  is  doubtlessly  true  that  selections  were  sometimes  made  among 
the  individual  competitors  more  because  of  the  natural  than  the  acquired 
appearance  of  the  soldier ;  and  that  a  bright  face  and  shapely  form  were 
more  potent  to  influence  the  officers  who  had  to  decide,  than  bright 
brasses  and  the  cleanest  gun,  to  say  nothing  about  the  unavoidable  bias  of 
favoritism  in  the  minds  of  the  company  commanders. 

The  result  of  the  regimental  inspections  will  be  understood  from  the 
following  : 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  259 

HD.  Qiis.   2D  BRIO.  30  Div. 
24x11  AKMY  CORPS,  Jan.  22,  1865. 

Commanding   Officer  I2th  N.  If.    Voh.  : 

SIR, —  I  am  directed  by  the  brigade  commander  to  inform  you  that  your  regiment 
is  pronounced  to  be  the  best  in  order,  according  to  the  reports  of  the  inspectors 
of  the  brigade  this  day.  You  will,  therefore,  hold  your  regiment  in  readiness  to 
be  inspected  by  the  division  commander  on  Wednesday  next. 

Very  respectfully,  etc. 

ABEL  E.  LEAVENWORTH, 

A.  A.  Adjt.  Gcnl. 

Upon  receiving  the  above,  Colonel  Barker  issued  to  the  regiment  a 
congratulatory  order  in  which  he  says  : 

To  the  honored  name  you  have  won  in  many  hard  fought  battles  with  the  foes 
of  your  country,  whom  we  all  believe  to  be  our  inferiors  in  many  of  the  ele 
ments  of  true  and  enlightened  manhood,  you  have  now  added  new  laurels  by 
your  victory  in  soldierly  appearance  over  the  five  other  regiments  in  your  brig 
ade,  composed  of  men  whom  you  respect  and  look  upon  as  your  equals. 

By  the  success  already  attained  you  are  elected  candidates  to  compete  with  the 
two  regiments  selected  from  the  other  brigades  of  the  division  on  Wednesday 
next.  Let  no  efforts  be  spared  to  again  win. 

Less  than  two  days  now  remained  to  prepare  for  another  battle  of 
looks  instead  of  acts,  but  the  final  test  was  necessarily  delayed  by  an 
unexpected  and  exciting  event. 

About  midnight  of  the  23d  heavy  firing  was  heard  in  the  direction  of 
Fort  Brady,  and  soon  the  pickets  reported  the  rebel  gunboats  coming 
down  the  river,  and  the  sound  of  the  long  roll  and  bugle  blast  broke  the 
stillness  of  the  night  and  roused  the  men  from  their  quiet  slumbers. 

Finding  that  their  movement  was  discovered  the  rebels  opened  upon 
our  lines  from  Howlet's  and  other  batteries,  and  though  it  was  not  "whis 
pered  with  white  lips,"  yet  the  sudden  and  unexpected  attack  in  the  night 
reminded  some  of  the  remainder  of  that  familiar  line  of  their  school-boy 
days,  "  The  foe  !  They  come,  they  come  !" 

The  morning  light  revealed  three  ironclad  rams,  five  armed  wooden 
steamers,  and  three  torpedo  boats  of  the  enemy  engaged  with  our  moni 
tors  and  land  batteries  near  our  chain  of  obstructions  above  Dutch  Gap, 
through  which  two  of  the  rams  had  succeeded  in  passing  while  the  other 
had  grounded  in  the  attempt. 

The  Twelfth,  with  other  regiments,  was  at  once  ordered  into  the 
trenches,  ready  to  resist  an  attack  of  the  enemy's  forces  that  were  re 
ported  to  be  concentrating  on  our  right,  where  it  remained  until  nearly 
dark,  when  the  rebel  fleet,  getting  the  worst  of  it  in  the  artillery  duel  of 
the  day,  withdrew  up  the  river,  leaving  the  rebel  ram  "  Drewry,"  as 
a  trophy  of  the  contest,  in  our  hands. 


260  History  of  the  TwclftJi  Regiment 

It  was  a  bold,  determined  attempt  to  break  through  all  obstructions, 
disable  our  gun-boats,  and  destoy  our  whole  depot  of  supplies  at  City 
Point ;  and,  with  the  assistance  of  their  land  forces  which  were  intending 
to  move  forward  as  soon  as  the  river  was  opened  by  their  fleet,  the  result 
might  have  been  more  disastrous.  But  the  fates  were  now  against  them, 
and  this  last  spasmodic  effort  to  break  the  cordon  of  death  that  encircled 
them  amounted  to  little  more  than  a  night's  scare  and  a  day's  fun  for  our 
forces  along  the  James,  the  most  cowardly  and  ridiculous  part  of  which 
will  be  found  written  out  in  another  chapter. 

Tuesday  night  was  cold,  and  the  men  were  thankful  that  the  discom 
fiture  of  the  rebel  rams,  leaving  more  wool  than  horns,  allowed  them  rest 
in  quarters  instead  of  longer  exposure  to  cutting  winds  and  bursting 
shells  in  the  trenches. 

The  next  day,  which  was  to  have  decided  the  inspection  contest,  there 
was  another  report  that  the  enemy  were  massing  on  our  right,  and  com 
mands  were  ordered  to  be  in  readiness  to  march  at  a  moment's  warning  ; 
but  after  another  night  of  watching  and  waiting  the  rumor  proved 
unfounded,  and  the  order  for  ready  action  was  then  unheeded. 

Being  no  longer  menaced  by  the  foe,  preparation  for  the  final  inspec 
tion  test,  which  had  been  postponed  one  week,  to  decide  which  was  the 
best  regiment  in  the  division,  again  demanded  the  time  and  attention  of 
the  men  not  otherwise  occupied  by  the  daily  routine  of  camp  duties. 

Stimulated  and  encouraged  by  having  won  against  five  competitors  in 
the  brigade  trial,  both  officers  and  men  were  now  determined  not  to  be 
vanquished  by  only  two  opponents,  although  each  like  the  Twelfth  had 
been  selected  as  the  best  in  its  brigade. 

Perfection,  so  far  as  means  and  circumstances  permitted,  was  now  the 
effort  and  the  aim  of  every  man.  What,  in  the  former  trial,  was  thought 
to  be  the  best  was  labored  upon  until  it  looked  better,  and  where  improve 
ment  seemed  possible  it  was  either  made  or  attempted.  In  the  meantime 
another  Sunday  brigade  inspection  came  round  and  the  Twelfth  again 
took  its  place  at  the  head  of  the  column  as  the  best  regiment  on  the  field. 
Reassured  by  this  second  victory  every  member  of  the  battalion  felt  more 
than  ever  confident  of  bearing  off  the  victor's  wreath  in  the  final  contest ; 
but  still  their  care  and  diligence  did  not  abate,  for  they  expected  and 
desired  not  to  win  without  deserving.  The  day,  Wednesday,  February 
8,  at  last  arrived  and  the  three  regiments,  Twelfth  New  Hampshire, 
Ninety-eighth  New  York,  and  Fortieth  Massachusetts,  were  marched  out 
and  paraded  in  line  for  the  division  commander  to  inspect.  But  no 
sooner  does  the  Fortieth  Massachusetts  appear  than  a  murmur  of  disap 
probation  runs  along  the  ranks  of  the  other  two  regiments,  for  it  is  at 
once  seen  that  an  unfair  advantage  is  being  taken.  That  regiment  had 
just  drawn  a  full  supply  of  new  frock  coats,  and  took  the  liberty  to  wear 
them  on  this  occasion,  although  they  knew  that  the  other  regiments  would 
wear,  as  at  previous  inspections,  the  common  police  blouse  of  daily  use. 


Nciv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  261 

This  unfair  attempt  to  win  the  first  favor  by  a  new  and  better  dress,  in 
stead  of  wearing  the  best  looking  old  one  of  like  kind  as  the  others, 
should  of  itself,  with  any  fair  and  competent  inspector,  have  decided  the 
contest  against  them.  But,  as  feared,  the  verdict  was  the  other  way,  and 
the  Fortieth  Massachusetts  was  selected  as  "  little  the  best  in  order"  with 
the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  and  the  Ninety-eighth  New  York  reported 
as  "deserving  special  commendation."  The  decision  was  generally  dis 
approved  of  by  officers  and  men  of  the  division,  and  was  derisively 
alluded  to,  as  "  a  victory  of  dress  coats  over  blouses." 

This  was  the  end  of  competitive  inspections,  which,  as  might  have 
been  expected,  resulted  in  more  harm  than  good  to  the  service,  for  no 
matter  how  fairly  or  ably  managed,  exact  justice  was  impossible,  and  the 
unsuccessful  competitors  being  both  dissatisfied  and  discouraged  the  last 
end  was  almost  certain  to  be  worse  than  the  first.  No  wise  commander 
would  seriously  think  of  so  foolish  an  attempt  to  \mprovethepersonnelof 
his  army  that  was  to  remain  for  any  time  in  active  service. 

Several  of  the  Twelfth  boys  got  furloughs  for  being  found,  by  these 
inspections,  best  in  the  whole  division,  and  the  whole  regiment  was 
excused  from  duty  two  or  three  times  for  receiving  the  highest  mark  at 
the  brigade  inspections. 

February  9,  the  regiment  had  the  very  unpleasant  duty  to  perform  of 
shooting  one  of  its  own  members  for  desertion.  Joseph  Sharp,  one  of 
the  substitutes  of  Company  A,  who  joined  the  regiment  at  Point  Lookout, 
and  deserted  at  White  House  Landing  on  the  night  that  the  regiment 
encamped  there  on  its  way  to  Cold  Harbor,  upon  this  day  ended  his 
earthly  career. 

Soon  after  his  desertion  and  safe  escape  to  the  North,  he  again  enlisted 
for  a  big  bounty,  and  soon  found  himself  enrolled  as  a  recruit  in  the  Fifth 
Maryland,  which,  most  unfortunately  for  him,  was  at  that  time  in  the 
same  brigade  as  the  Twelfth.  He  tried  hard  to  escape  recognition  by  his 
old  comrades,  but  in  a  few  days  his  near  presence  was  discovered  by  one 
or  two  of  them,  which  soon  came  to  the  knowledge  of  Colonel  Barker. 

Taking  with  him,  Corp.  Julius  A.  Davis,  of  Company  A,  from  whom 
he  had  learned  of  the  deserter's  whereabouts,  and  who  knew  in  just  what 
company  and  tent  of  the  Maryland  regiment  he  could  be  found,  if  in  his 
quarters,  the  Colonel  quickly  visited  the  commander  of  the  Fifth  Mary 
land  (who  had  just  before  refused  to  give  up  the  culprit  upon  a  written 
request)  and  demanded  his  man. 

Seeing  that  to  longer  refuse  would  involve  himself  in  trouble,  the 
Maryland  colonel  apologized  for  his  officious  independence  and  sent  an 
officer  of  his  regiment  along  with  Colonel  Barker  and  Corporal  Davis  to 
hunt  out  the  soldier  who,  though  enrolled  under  and  answering  to  a  dif 
ferent  name,  was  believed  to  be  no  other  than  Joseph  Sharp,  as  he  called 
himself  while  present  for  duty  in  the  Twelfth. 

Davis,  acting  as  guide,  soon  stopped  in  front  of  a  tent  which  he  pointed 


262  History  of  the  Txuelfth  Regiment 

out  to  his  followers  as  the  quarters  of  the  man  they  were  hunting  for,  but 
he  was  not  there.  Colonel  Barker's  first  thought  was  that  the  fellow  had 
got  a  windward  hint  of  his  discovery,  and  taken  another  jump,  more 
this  time,  however,  for  a  longer  lease  of  life  than  for  another  bounty. 
But  upon  further  search,  he  was  found  in  another  tent,  and  recognized 
by  the  shepard  colonel  himself  as  one  of  his  lost  black  sheep.  For 
a  while  he  persisted  in  avowing  his  innocence,  declaring  that  he  knew 
nothing  about  such  a  man  as  Joseph  Sharp  and  that  he  never  went  by 
such  a  name.  But  when  he  found  he  was  to  be  taken  back  to  his  old 
regiment,  where  he  would  be  identified  by  every  member  of  his  company 
that  was  still  in  the  ranks,  he  broke  down  completely  and  confessed  the 
whole,  exclaiming:  "And  now,  Colonel,  I  suppose  I  shall  soon  be  a 
dead  man." 

"  Oh  no  !  I  guess  not,"  replied  the  colonel,  thinking  then,  in  the  kind 
ness  of  his  heart,  that,  if  he  would  only  show  true  repentance  for  the 
past,  by  a  strict  compliance  with  future  duty,  he  would  do  all  that  he 
could  to  save  him  from  so  sad  a  fate.  And  the  verdict  of  the  court- 
martial  of  "  guilty,"  would  doubtless  have  been  followed  by  a  strong 
recommendation  for  mercy  and  final  mitigation  of  the  death  sentence, 
had  he  not  thrown  away  all  chance  or  hope,  by  foolishly  making  a  full 
confession,  as  the  world  will  say  —  Heaven's  record  may  read  differently 
—  owning  that  he  had  deserted  several  times  before,  and  that  when 
arrested  he  was  actually  making  preparations  to  desert  again,  and  get 
one  more  bounty  before  the  end  of  the  war. 

He  had  deserted  once  too  many  then,  and  he  saw,  when  too  late,  that 
although  he  had  gained  thousands  of  dollars,  he  must  lose  his  own  life 
as  a  penalty  for  the  unlawful  and  dishonorable  means  he  had  employed. 

By  virtue  of  a  reward  offered  by  the  War  Department  to  any  soldier 
who  would  give  information  that  would  lead  to  the  apprehension  and 
conviction  of  a  deserter,  Corporal  Davis  was  entitled  to  a  thirty  days' 
furlough  and  thirty  dollars  in  money.  He  received  his  furlough,  but  for 
some  reason  was  never  paid  the  money. 

Some  of  the  regiment,  and  especially  the  recruits,  blamed  Davis  for 
informing  against  his  comrade,  with  whom  he  had  been  intimate,  even 
after  Sharp  was  found  by  him  in  the  Maryland  regiment,  and  accused 
him  of  betraying  a  friendly  confidant  solely  for  selfish  gain.  But  Davis, 
who  is  still  living,  gives  a  different  version  of  the  affair,  and  says  he  only 
answered  to  the  inquiry  made  of  him  by  Colonel  Barker,  who  had  learned 
from  another  that  he  (Davis)  could  tell  him  most  about  the  missing  man. 

The  particulars  of  the  execution  need  not  be  given  here,  as  they  were 
about  the  same  as  written  out  in  full  in  a  previous  chapter  about  the  death 
of  two  other  deserters  from  the  Second  New  Hampshire. 

It  was  the  first  and  last  visitation  of  the  extreme  penalty  of  the  law 
upon  any  member  of  the  Twelfth,  by  order  of  a  court-martial,  while  in 
the  service  ;  and  he  who  suffered  it  gave  evidence  of  true  repentance, 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  263 

not  only  for  which  he  was  convicted,  but  for  all  that  he  had  done  that 
was  wrong  during  his  whole  life.  He  forgave  all,  as  he  hoped  to  be  for 
given,  and  expressed  the  wish  that  his  comrades  and  all  others  cognizant 
of  his  sad  end  might  take  warning  therefrom,  and  die  not,  like  him,  an 
ignominious  death. 

The  almost  continuous  grumble,  rumble,  and  roar  of  our  own  and  the 
enemy's  artillery  around  and  to  the  left  of  Petersburg,  lessened  somewhat 
as  the  autumn  days  shortened,  and  changed,  as  the  leaves  fell,  from  the 
constant  to  the  recurrent. 

Yet  at  frequent  intervals  during  the  whole  winter  the  western  breezes 
brought  to  our  ears  sounds  of  contending  cannon  —  sometimes  savagely 
loud  and  spasmodic,  from  the  Petersburg  front,  and  again,  but  less  often, 
in  lower  pitch  but  greater  volume,  swelling  into  the  wide-reverberating 
and  long-resounding  thunders  of  distant  battle,  where  Trip-hammer  Grant 
was  still  at  work,  away  round  on  the  enemy's  right,  pounding  and  pul 
verizing  the  few  remaining  foundation  stones  of  the  Southern  Confederacy. 

There  was  but  little  for  our  artillerists  to  do  north  of  the  James,  except 
to  practice,  when  they  got  a  chance,  on  the  rebel  rams  and  gunboats,  and 
still  less  need  of  burning  any  coarse  powder  along  the  Bermuda  front. 

There  were  but  few  battery  balls  thrown  by  the  right  wing  of  the  army 
after  the  capture  of  Fort  Harrison,  but  many  blank  cartridges  were  ex 
ploded  at  different  times  by  our  artillery  when  good  news  came  in  from  the 
South  and  West,  so  that  the  enemy  might  know  that  our  armies  elsewhere 
were  marching  on  from  victory  to  victory.  And  these  salutes,  usually 
of  an  hundred  guns  each,  were  by  no  means  a  foolish  waste  of  powder, 
for  they  did  much  to  encourage  our  own  troops,  while,  at  the  same  time, 
they  had  a  correspondingly  disheartening  effect  upon  the  Confederate 
forces  opposed  to  them. 

But  the  roar  of  our  saluting  guns,  for  every  important  victory  gained 
by  other  Federal  armies  in  the  field,  gladdened  some  hearts  that  beat 
beneath  the  gray  as  well  as  the  blue,  for  there  were  many  still  in  arms 
against  the  Government,  who,  while  they  were  too  honorable  to  desert  a 
sinking  cause  that  they  had  once  so  earnestly  espoused,  yet  were  heartily 
sick  of  longer  periling  their  lives  in  a  useless  attempt  to  establish  it. 
And  this  was  especially  so  with  the  more  intelligent  of  the  rebel  army, 
for  they  more  than  half  believed  that  their  defeat  would  prove  more  bene 
ficial  to  them  and  their  posterity  than  their  success. 

Slowly  but  surely  the  besieged  Confederacy  was  crumbling  to  pieces. 

Lee's  army  was  about  all  there  was  left  of  it ;  for  all  its  strongholds, 
except  Richmond  and  Petersburg,  had  fallen,  and  Johnson's  army  was 
powerless  to  check  the  march  of  Sherman's  victorious  legions  on  their 
course  northward  to  join  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

The  South  Side  and  Lynchburg  railroads  had  been  for  some  time  the 
main  lines  of  supply  left  to  General  Lee  ;  and  to  hold  these  from  the 
reaching  grasp  of  Grant,  he  had  been  obliged  to  extend  his  lines  south- 


264  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

westward  until  they  extended  from  the  Claiborne  road,  where  it  crosses 
Hatches's  Run  on  his  right,  to  White  Oak  Swamp,  his  extreme  left — a 
distance  of  thirty-seven  miles  by  the  most  direct  route,  and  not  reckoning 
anything  for  irregularities  of  the  line  of  intrenchments,  except  the  deflec 
tions,  of  four  miles  each,  along  the  courses  of  the  James  and  Appomattox 
rivers. 

Of  the  direct  line,  eight  miles  were  north  of  the  James,  five  between 
the  rivers,  and  sixteen  south  of  the  Appomattox. 

The  following  anecdote,  whether  true  or  false,  quite  well  illustrates  the 
situation  and  condition  of  the  Southern  cause  at  the  beginning  of  the  year 
1865  : 

Sometimes  there  would  occur  an  interchange  of  jokes  between  the 
picket  lines  that  would  bring  out  sharp  points  of  wit  upon  one  side  or  the 
other,  the  Yankee,  however,  usually  coming  out  ahead. 

In  one  of  these  amusing  contests  that  took  place,  about  this  time, 
between  a  "Fed-well"  and  a  "corn-fed,"  as  they  were  sometimes  dis 
tinguished,  the  former,  after  cunningly  setting  his  trap  by  referring  to  the 
effective  service  that  the  rebels  made  against  us  by  their  frequent  use  of 
the  Whitworth  gun,  suddenly  and  earnestly  broke  out  as  follows  : 

"But  do  you  know,  'Johnny,'  that  we  are  not  allowed  to  use  long 
range  guns  on  our  side  any  longer?" 

"  No,  nor  you  neither  ;  what  you  givin'  us  now,  Yank?  " 

"  Something  solid  and  serious,  and  no  joking  :  and  I  can  tell  you  why, 
if  you  want  to  know." 

"  Well,  let's  have  it  then." 

"  Because  your  Confederacy  is  getting  so  thin  that  we  are  afraid  of 
shooting  '  plumb  '  through  it  and  killing  our  own  men." 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  before  the  earth  in  her  orbit  had  reached  the 
equinoctial  point  dividing  the  winter  from  the  spring  in  the  last  year  of 
the  war,  the  Slave  Confederacy  had  become  but  an  empty  shell  of  such 
transparent  thinness  that  those  outside  could  see,  almost  as  well  as  those 
within,  how  nothing  less  than  such  a  marvelous  change  of  events  as  the 
most  sanguine  and  devoted  rebel  could  find  neither  ground  to  hope,  nor 
faith  to  pray  for,  could  save  it  from  being  crushed  by  the  surrounding 
pressure  of  military  power. 

The  Union  soldiers  saw  the  southern  cross  fast  fading  away  as  they 
kept  their  night  watch  around  their  camps,  while  to  them  the  northern 
star  beamed  forth  with  constantly  increasing  brilliancy. 

So  sure  were  some  of  the  men  in  the  regiment,  that  a  few  more  months, 
at  the  longest,  would  end  the  war,  that,  though  seriously  disabled,  they 
refused  to  accept  of  a  discharge  when  offered  to  them,  because  they 
wanted  to  see  the  end,  and  go  home  with  the  rest  of  the  boys  after  the 
war  was  over. 

With  his  lines  constantly  extending,  and  his  army  daily  decreasing, 
Lee  plainly  saw  that  the  only  chance  left  for  him  was  to  escape,  if  possi- 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers,  265 

ble,  by  breaking  through  the  Union  line,  and  uniting  with  Johnston's 
army  further  south. 

He  could  but  fail  in  the  attempt,  and  to  remain  where  he  was,  only 
invited  the  same  fate,  without  even  the  excuse  of  an  effort  to  avoid  it. 

He  therefore  resolved  to  act  upon  the  idea  that  "while  there  is  life  there 
is  hope,"  however  feeble  the  strength,  and  decided  upon  Fort  Steadman 
as  the  point  of  attack. 

General  Gordon  was  selected  to  lead  and  direct  the  assaulting  column, 
which,  advancing  under  cover  of  darkness,  took  the  fort  before  its  defend 
ers  had  time  to  recover  from  their  surprise. 

But  the  Union  forces  rushing  to  the  rescue  from  the  right  and  left,  soon 
drove  the  rebels  out  and  back,  and  Lee's  last  desperate  effort  before  his 
final  retreat  proved,  as  he  had  feared,  a  failure. 

Although  the  apparent  and,  as  then  supposed,  real  object  of  this  attack 
was  to  paralyze  Grant's  right  hand  until  the  greatest  part  or  the  whole  of 
the  rebel  forces  could  elude  his  grasp,  it  now  appears  from  some  Confed 
erate  papers  and  reports,  that  its  main  object  was  to  compel  Grant  to  so 
far  withdraw  his  extreme  left,  as  to  allow  Lee's  army  to  quickly  and 
quietly  abandon  their  line  of  works  in  front  of  Petersburg  and  Rich 
mond,  and  marching  around  our  left  flank,  unite  with  Johnston  and  crush 
Sherman  before  Grant  with  his  forces  could  prevent  it. 

This  seems  to  have  been  a  plan  previously  agreed  upon  by  Jefferson 
Davis  and  General  Lee  as  a  last  resort ;  and  Grant,  apprehensive  that 
something  of  the  kind  might  be  attempted  by  the  Confederate  leaders, 
kept  signal  and  picket  officers  constantly  upon  the  alert  that  no  sign  or 
indication  of  any  change  or  movement  in  the  enemy's  lines  should  escape 
their  notice. 

But  the  attack  upon  Fort  Steadman  was  all  the  evidence  that  the  Fed 
eral  leader  wanted  to  convince  him  that  the  hour  of  final  action  was  at 
hand,  and  he  immediately  ordered  General  Ord,  in  command  of  the 
Army  of  the  James,  to  take  with  him  the  First  and  Second  Divisions  of 
the  Twenty-fourth  Corps,  one  division  (colored)  of  the  Twenty-fifth 
Corps,  with  quite  a  large  force  of  cavalry,  and  march  at  once  with  all 
possible  secrecy  and  celerity,  to  join  the  Second  Corps  at  the  extreme  left 
of  the  Union  line,  where  they  would  be  ready  to  fight  or  chase  Lee,  as 
occasion  might  require,  in  the  anticipated  effort  of  the  rebel  commander 
to  save  his  army  from  capture. 

This  march  of  thirty-six  miles  was  so  quickly  and  quietly  made,  that 
the  enemy  knew  nothing  of  it  until  several  days  after,  when  he  found  his 
right  flank  imperiled  by  the  presence  of  troops  that  were  supposed  to  be 
nearly  forty  miles  away. 

It  was  one  of  the  most  timely  and  successful  movements  ever  made  by 
the  Army  of  the  James,  or  any  part  of  it. 

But  this  movement  of  troops,  though  largely  contributory  to  greater 
results  than  even  hoped  for,  in  so  short  a  time,  was  nevertheless  a  very 


266  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

risky  one,  for  it  was  made  in  the  face  and  eyes  of  the  whole  of  Long- 
street's  corps  that  had  been  sent  north  of  the  James  only  a  few  days 
before  to  meet  an  attack,  or  take  an  advantage  of  the  withdrawal  of  our 
troops,  as  indications  from  the  greatest  vigilance  and  closest  inspection 
might  dictate. 

Had  Longstreet  known  what  General  Weitzel,  left  in  command  of  Ber 
muda  and  Chapin's  Farm,  did  —  that  little  more  than  a  picket  line  re 
mained  to  hold  the  works  protecting  Grant's  right  wing  —  it  would  have 
been  the  Union  instead  of  the  Confederate  right  that  would  have  suffered 
first,  if  not  most. 

It  was  because  of  this  danger  that  every  precaution  was  taken,  both  by 
the  troops  leaving  and  those  remaining,  to  deceive  the  enemy  until  his 
right  flank  was  imperiled  by  Grant's  strongly  reinforced  left. 

From  this  until  the  memorable  morning  of  the  eventful  3d  of  April, 
1865,  every  officer  and  soldier,  of  both  armies,  felt  sure  that  something 
unusually  important  was  about  to  occur ;  and  every  member  of  the 
Twelfth  as  well  as  all  the  other  soldiers  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Corps,  left 
to  hold  the  line  nearest  Richmond,  was  constantly  on  the  qai  vive,  first 
fearing  every  moment  an  attack,  and  then  expecting  to  attack  themselves, 
but  happily  disappointed  in  both,  as  the  enemy,  ignorant  of  our  weak 
ness,  did  not  molest  us,  and  the  last  "onward  to  Richmond"  was  over 
deserted  works,  instead  of  the  wounded  and  the  dead. 

Daily  and  almost  hourly  came  the  order  :  "  Hold  your  men  in  readiness 
to  move  at  any  moment,"  and  picket  orders  and  duties  were  so  rigidly  exact 
ing  and  constantly  recurring  on  account  of  the  importance  of  the  situation 
and  the  scarcity  of  troops,  that  the  men  hardly  got  time  to  eat  or  sleep. 
Nothing  like  it  had  ever  been  required  of  them  before,  but  they  com 
plained  but  little,  except  in  a  joking  way,  for  every  one  plainly  under 
stood  the  necessity  of  his  overwork  and  sleepless  watchfulness,  and  had 
full  faith  in  the  final  result. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

CAPTURE  AND  OCCUPATION  OF  RICHMOND. 

"  I  propose  to  fight  it  out  on  this  line  if  it  takes  all  summer  "  were  the 
words  with  which  General  Grant  closed  his  first  dispatch  to  the  War 
Department  after  six  days  of  terrible  but  undecisive  conflict  with  the 
enemy  at  the  Wilderness  and  Spottsylvania.  And  although  he  did  not 
"  tight  it  out"  upon  that  line  at  all,  and  it  only  lacked  a  month  and  one 
day  of  being  a  whole  year  from  the  time  he  first  moved  his  army  south 
ward  from  the  Rapidan  before  any  part  of  it  entered  Richmond,  except 
as  prisoners  of  war,  yet,  with  all  his  flanking  and  swinging,  changing 
both  his  line  and  base  of  operations,  his  face  was  always  toward  his 
objective  point,  and  his  army,  though  often  repulsed  and  sometimes,  as 
at  Cold  Harbor  and  Petersburg,  almost  disheartened,  listened  in  vain  for 
an  order  to  retreat.  Such  a  word  was  nowhere  to  be  found  in  his  whole 
military  vocabulary.  Napoleon's  "forward"  as  the  only  answer  to  his 
chief  engineer,  who  had  reported  it  impossible  to  advance  further  over 
the  seemingly  impassible  barriers  of  the  snow-clad  Alps,  was  not 
prompted  by  a  stronger  will  or  more  determined  purpose  than  constantly 
and  unwaveringly  possessed  the  mind  of  General  Grant  from  the  4th  of 
May,  1864,  when  his  army  made  its  first  advance  toward  the  Confederate 
capital,  to  the  3d  of  April,  1865,  when  a  portion  of  the  same  army  chased 
the  last  armed  rebel  out  of  it. 

As  related  in  the  preceding  chapter,  nothing  now  remained  of  the 
dying  Confederacy  but  the  closing  scenes  and  the  funeral  ceremonies. 

On  the  evening  of  April  2d,  our  musicians  were  kept  busy  until  9 
o'clock  or  past,  for  the  double  purpose  of  holding  Longstreet  in  our  front 
as  long  as  possible,  and  at  the  same  time  preventing  him  from  making  an 
attack,  by  inducing  him  to  believe  that  there  were  three  or  four  times  as 
many  troops  in  his  front  as  there  really  were.  But  the  sound  of  artillery 
away  to  the  south-westward,  at  frequent  intervals  the  day  before,  where 
Sheridan  and  Warren  had  already  commenced  the  final  struggle,  and 
the  nearer  and  louder  sound  of  Ord's,  Wright's,  and  Parks's  guns  in 
their  early  morning  attack  of  the  2cl  upon  the  enemy's  lines  to  the  left 
and  in  front  of  Petersburg,  had  sent  Longstreet  in  that  direction  many 
hours  before  the  musical  entertainment,  intended  for  his  delusion,  had 
commenced. 

General  Weitzel  was  watching  for  signs  all  night,  and  one  of  his  staff, 
climbing  to  the  top  of  a  signal  tower  near  his  headquarters,  discovered  a 


268  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

bright  light,  like  the  burning  of  a  building  of  some  kind,  in  what  he 
thought  to  be  the  city  of  Richmond. 

Just  before  this,  and  causing  the  observation,  a  deep,  heavy  sound  was 
heard  from  the  same  direction,  soon  followed  by  two  or  three  others 
resembling  the  first. 

These  reports  were  heard  by  many  of  the  soldiers,  beside  those  on 
picket,  who,  like  their  general,  were  too  intensely  interested  in  what  was 
doing,  or  about  to  be  done,  to  close  their  eyes  in  slumber.  Among  such 
were  several  officers  and  men  of  the  Twelfth,  who,  while  watching  and 
listening,  earnestly  discussed  the  signs  and  sounds  that  had  come  to  their 
eyes  as  well  as  ears  —  for  they  too  had  seen  the  light —  and  agreeing  that 
the  sounds  were  not  the  reports  of  either  cannon  or  mortars,  quickly  and 
rightly  concluded  that  the  rebels  were  blowing  up  their  gun-boats  and 
arsenal  preparatory  to  evacuation. 

Soon  everyone  in  camp  was  up,  excitedly  moving  and  eagerl}'  ques 
tioning,  as  if  the  long  roll  had  been  beaten. 

Grant,  anticipating  Lee's  movements,  had  ordered  an  assault  upon  the 
rebel  works  north  of  the  James  to  be  made  by  daylight  the  next  morning, 
and  all,  from  General  Weitzel  to  private,  were  intensely  interested  to 
know  whether  they  were  again  to  face  the  shot  and  shell  of  an  entrenched 
foe,  or  to  have  the  double  pleasure  of  avoiding  danger  and  death,  and 
marching  unopposed  over  deserted  lines  of  defense  into  the  city  that  had 
so  long  defied  their  efforts  to  capture. 

If  the  reader  will  here  pause  and  reflect  for  a  single  moment,  he  can 
not  but  imagine  strongly  the  feelings  and  hopes  of  the  soldiers  on  that  part 
of  the  Union  line  at  this  time. 

Between  what  they  still  feared  and  what  they  were  beginning  to  hope 
for,  was  the  life-wide  difference,  in  prospect,  of  the  peace  and  pleasure 
of  home,  amid  their  kindred  and  native  hills,  and  a  sad  and  silent  home, 
unnumbered  and  unknown,  in  a  southern  grave. 

By  3  o'clock,  from  the  reports  of  deserters  and  the  story  of  an  intelli 
gent  negro  who  came  riding  into  our  lines  in  a  buggy,  it  became  quite 
certain  that  Richmond  was  being  evacuated,  and  as  soon  as  fairly  light 
our  picket  line  was  ordered  forward. 

The  enemy's  outer  line  of  works  was  quickly  reached  and  surmounted, 
but  no  rebels,  armed  or  unarmed,  were  found,  and  silence,  save  when 
broken  by  the  cheers  of  our  men,  alone  remained  to  challenge  their 
approach. 

Captain  Sargent  and  Lieutenant  Bohonon  were  the  officers  in  charge 
of  the  picket  detail  from  the  Twelfth,  and  the  latter  was  the  first  man  to 
mount  the  enemy's  works,  but  scarcely  sooner  than  Newell  Davidson,  of 
Company  G,  and  others  who  were  by  his  side  or  but  just  behind  him. 

After  the  picket  line  had  passed  the  fortifications,  all  semblance  of 
marching  order  was  lost  in  a  race  for  Richmond  ;  but  who  got  there  first 
will  never  be  known,  though  many  have  claimed  the  honor. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  269 

But  let  us  forget  the  many  years  that  have  passed  since  that  eventful 
morning,  making  it  seem  at  times  almost  like  a  dream,  and  write  a  while 
in  the  present  tense  as  if  we  were  again  there. 

Richmond,  the  long  sought  and  fought  for,  is  at  last  within  our  grasp. 
The  Sevastopol  of  the  Confederacy  has  fallen,  and  but  a  single  act 
remains  to  close  the  bloody  drama  of  the  great  rebellion  of  1861-5.  The 
war-worn  veterans,  now  plainly  seeing  what  for  long  and  weary  months 
and  years  they  had  been  patiently  toiling  and  anxiously  looking  for  —  the 
near  approaching  end  of  their  privations,  hardships,  and  sufferings  in  the 
glorious  consummation  of  the  old  flag  triumphant  over  treason,  and  their 
country  saved  —  grasp  hands,  or  rush  into  each  other's  arms  with  smiles 
and  tears  of  gladness,  then  throw  high  in  air  their  caps,  and  give  three 
long  and  loud  resounding  cheers,  to  be  taken  up  and  echoed  and 
re-echoed  along  the  lines  from  one  command  to  another  until  the  whole 
heavens  are  filled  with  shouts  of  gladness  and  cheers  of  victory. 

Till  life's  last  day  will  this  day  last,  vivid  and  distinct  in  our  memories. 
It  makes  the  boys  think  of  home  and  of  the  gladness  that  the  glorious 
news  will  carry  there  ;  and  so  they  catch  at  the  first  opportunity  to  write 
letters  to  those  nearest  and  dearest  to  their  hearts. 

Colonel  Barker  writes  : 

I  am  so  overjoyed  with  this  day's  success  of  our  arms,  that  I  can  hardly  keep 
still  enough  to  write.  The  rebels  being  so  effectually  whipped  yesterday  in  the 
vicinity  of  Petersburg  that  they  knew  they  could  not  hold  Richmond,  fled  pre 
cipitately  last  night,  leaving  their  artillery,  camp  and  garrison  equipage,  and 
most  everything  else  to  fall  into  our  hands.  Some  of  the  light  guns  in  the  outer 
line  of  works  were  spiked,  but  all' of  the  heavy  ordnance  was  left  uninjured.  I 
do  not  know  the  number  of  guns  that  we  have  taken,  but  it  is  enough  to  say  that 
they  did  not  get  many  away. 

Captain  Sargent  and  Lieutenant  Bohonon  were  on  the  picket  line,  and  conse 
quently  among  the  first  to  enter  the  city.  Captain  Sargent,  as  he  was  passing 
JefV.  Davis's  house,  halted  his  command  and  ordered  three  groans  for  the  arch 
traitor  who,  by  the  way,  left  last  night.  Before  leaving  the  rebels  set  fire  to 
some  of  the  public  buildings  and  storehouses,  and  a  great  part  of  the  city  was 
destroyed  before  our  soldiers  could  arrest  the  progress  of  the  flames.  Shells  and 
torpedoes  have  been  exploding  all  day,  and  the  sound  has  been  much  like  a  rag 
ing  battle.  Thousands  of  people  are  homeless,  and  are,  I  assure  you,  objects  of 
pity  and  sympathy. 

The  indignation  of  the  citizens  at  the  soldiers  of  their  army  for  setting  the  city 
on  fire  is  very  great.  They  seem  ready  to  own  that  they  were  secessionists,  but 
are  now  loud  in  denouncing  their  leaders,  and  desire  to  return  to  their  allegiance. 
I  tell  you  the  boys  are  gay.  I  never  expect  to  see  but  two  bigger  days  than 
this — one,  when  peace  is  declared,  and  the  other,  best  of  all,  when  we  return 
to  our  homes.  Colonel  Ripley  is  now  acting  provost  marshal  of  Richmond,  but 
only  by  mistake.  General  Weitxel  intended  that  General  Donahoe  should  have 
that  position,  and  sent  for  his  brigade  for  provost  duty;  but  the  orderly  or  staff 
officer  simply  delivered  the  order  to  General  Devens  to  send  a  brigade,  and  in 
the  excitement  Devens  sent  up  the  first  brigade. 


270  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Sergeant  Clarke,  of  Company  G,  while  the  regiment  halts  with  its 
brigade  a  few  moments  on  "  Tree  Hill,"  pencils  oft"  the  following  : 

This  is  the  greatest  day  I  have  seen  yet  in  this  war.  Thank  God  !  Richmond 
is  ours,  and  the  stars  and  stripes  are  now  floating  over  the  doomed  city.  Our 
brigade  has  not  yet  entered  the  city,  but  it  lies  before  vis  all  in  flames,  and  there 
has  been  a  continual  roar  of  bursting  shells  and  exploding  maga/ines  all  the 
morning. 

We  are  now  on  a  hill  just  outside  of  the  city,  which  is  in  full  view ;  we  passed 
through  the  outskirts  of  the  city  as  we  came  up.  We  started  from  camp  at  7 
o'clock  and  got  here  at  9.  We  came  straight  up  on  the  New  Market  road.  I 
write  this  on  a  leaf  of  a  company  book  of  the  Nineteenth  Georgia,  Company  IB. 

The  boys  have  caught  a  peacock  and  cut  his  tail  off,  and  are  sending  pieces  of 
his  feathers  home  in  their  letters,  that  nearly  all  are  engaged  in  writing  while  we 
are  waiting  here. 

The  rebels  blew  up  three  gun-boats  on  the  James  river  just  before  we  started, 
and  there  were  two  or  three  heavy  explosions  earlier  in  the  morning,  the  first 
about  2  o'clock. 

It  was  indeed  a  day  for  history. 

To  those  so  long  residing  securely  within  the  seemingly  impregnable 
fortifications  of  their  capital  city,  that  they  had  come  to  the  conclusion 
that  Lee  was  invincible  against  any  and  every  attempt  of  the  Yankee 
invaders,  it  was  a  blow  as  severe  and  crushing  as  it  was  sudden  and 
unexpected. 

Many  of  the  citizens,  as  soon  as  they  found  the  city  was  to  be  evacu 
ated,  made  haste  to  gather  up  all  that  was  most  valuable  and  follow  their 
retreating  army,  still  hoping  that  all  was  not  lost,  but  that  Lee  might  save 
his  army,  and  by  retreating  southward  and  uniting  with  the  forces  under 
General  Johnson,  be  able  to  hold  out  for  months  or  years  longer. 
Though  the  more  intelligent  of  them  had  long  foreseen  the  dreaded 
inevitable  fast  approaching,  they  tried  to  console  themselves  with  the 
hope  that  by  foreign  intervention,  or  a  divided  North,  they  would  either 
gain  their  independence,  or  effect  some  kind  of  a  compromise  that  would 
leave  them  half  victors,  striving  and  praying  with  the  officers  of  their 
boasted  Confederacy  for  anything  rather  than  an  unconditional  surrender 
to  our  arms,  and  resubmission  to  the  laws  of  the  land,  which  they  called 
and  pretended  to  look  upon  as  "the  most  abject  subjugation."  It  was 
certainly  a  very  bitter  pill  for  the  elite  of  the  Southern  chivalry  in  their 
long  nourished  pride  and  arrogance  to  swallow  ;  and  especially  after  such 
a  determined  struggle  and  great  sacrifice  to  avoid  it.  But  vital  diseases 
require  severe  remedies.  The  knife  of  the  operator  must  reach  beyond 
the  roots  of  the  cancer,  or  the  blood  and  suffering  are  all  in  vain. 

But  how  little  did  they  realize,  and  how  hard  then  to  have  made  them 
believe,  that  the  night-doom  of  their  cause  would  be  the  day-dawn  of 
their  own  liberty  and  greatness,  not  only  as  an  inseparable  part  of  a 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  271 

reunited  whole,   but  as  especially  applying  to  and   affecting  their  own 
particular  states  and  section. 

"  So  blind  is  passion  the  real  truth  to  see, 
And  prone  to  ruin  what  had  better  be." 

But  there  was  another  class  who,  though  ignorant  and  degraded,  could 
plainly  see,  and  indeed  had  seen  from  the  very  commencement,  as  if  by 
the  eye  of  faith,  what  the  end  would  be.  It  was  this  class  that  welcomed 
us  with  smiling  faces  and  many  a  "God  bless  you,"  and  mingled  their 
cheers  with  ours  as  we  marched  through  the  streets  of  Richmond 
between  crowded  sidewalks  of  these  dark-faced  sons  of  unrequited  toil. 
Long  and  patiently  had  they  waited,  never  mistaking  the  issue  nor 
doubting  the  result. 

Nothing  is  more  remarkable  in  the  whole  history  of  the  war  than  the 
knowledge  and  corresponding  action  of  the  slaves  of  the  South.  Unable 
to  read,  and  without  a  chance  to  know  or  hear  anything  but  from  their 
master's  side  of  the  conflict,  they  seemed,  intuitively,  to  understand  the 
full  intent  and  consequence  of  the  mad  attempt  to  dissolve  the  Union 
from  the  first  gun  fired  upon  Fort  Sumter,  and  felt  it  shake  the  shackles 
of  their  bondage.  They  heard  it  as  the  key-note  of  their  redemption  that 
was  to  reverberate  down  the  ages  of  coming  time. 

"Well,  Sambo,  what  think  you  of  this  ?"  asked  one  of  the  soldiers  of 
an  aged  negro  who  stood,  a  picture  for  an  artist,  with  a  broad  grin  upon 
his  ebony  face,  waving  a  big  bandanna  fastened  to  the  end  of  his  cane 
as  the  troops  marched  by. 

"  'Pears  though  de  jubilee  has  come  at  last,  and  de  Lord  be  praised," 
responded  the  old  patriarch. 

Such  was  the  trusty  bondman's  faith,  and  he  proved  it  by  his  works 
when  and  wherever  the  opportunity  was  given  him. 

No  soldier  in  blue  ever  asked  for  food  or  shelter  from  him  in  vain,  if 
within  his  power  to  render  or  supply,  even  though  he  did  so  at  the  risk 
of  his  own  life.  In  perfect  trust  and  confidence  the  Union  soldier  had 
learned  to  seek  aid  or  refuge  within  the  hovel  of  the  slave,  for  he  knew 
he  would  neither  be  denied  nor  betrayed. 

Surrounded  by  traitors  he  alone  stood  loyal,  and  always  proved  true 
to  the  stars  and  stripes,  for  which  he  bravely  fought  as  soon  as  per 
mitted  to  do  so,  and  upon  \vhich  he  now  looked  through  tears  of  joy  as 
they  floated  triumphantly,  in  the  bright  sunlight  of  that  April  morn,  over 
the  dome  of  what,  but  an  hour  before,  was  the  capitol  of  the  slave 
holder's  Confederacy. 

It  was  from  this  patriotic  race  that  exclamations  of  joy  and  praise, 
varied  and  multifold,  greeted  our  ears  upon  every  side. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  recall  them  all  now,  but  they  were  most 
interestingly  amusing  to  the  boys  who  heard  them  then.  It  seemed 
quite  beyond  their  widest  range  of  thought  to  find  words  to  express  their 


272  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

gladness.  "God  bless  you"  was  on  almost  every  tongue;  and  no  one 
could  doubt,  who  saw  and  heard,  but  it  came  from  the  heart.  Among 
their  many  queer  and  comical  expressions  and  ejaculations,  memory 
recalls  but  a  very  few  of  the  most  witty  and  unique  : 

"Who's  boss,  now?"  "  We 's  all  black  and  blue  (referring  to  their 
own  crowd  and  the  blue  uniforms  of  the  soldiers),  yer  see,  but  '1  isn't 
we  uns  that's  beaten."  "  Rec'on  Marsa  woun't  'spect  to  fool  us  any 
mo'e."  "  Yankee  Doodle  forever  !  Hurrah  !  "  "  Golly  !  is  n't  I  glad  I 's 
alive?"  "  Here's  what  I've  prayed  fo'  so  long.  Oh,  bless  de  Lord  for 
eber  and  eber  !  "  "  But  one  mo'e  jump  to  Heben  !  "  "  Blue  's  de  color 
for  me,  if  I  am  black."  "  I 's  a  white  woman  now  ;  take  dis  chile." 

But  not  only  were  they  rewarded  for  their  faith  and  devotion  by  the 
sight  of  the  old  flag,  which  was  now  to  them  no  longer  a  mockery  but 
the  symbol  of  freedom,  for  their  joy  burst  out  into  the  wildest  enthusiasm 
when  the  next  day  the  great  Emancipator  himself,  all  unexpected,  rode 
through  the  streets  of  the  city. 

When  it  became  certain  that  it  was  really  "  Marsa  Abraham"  that  was 
in  their  midst,  there  was  such  a  rush  to  see  and  speak  with  him  that  it 
was  almost  impossible,  at  times,  for  his  carriage  to  move.  A  number  of 
bright  eyed  and  woolly  headed  urchins,  taking  advantage  of  this  delay, 
climbed  upon  the  top  of  the  carriage  and  took  a  peep  at  him  over  the  rim, 
greatly  to  the  amusement  of  the  President. 

His  reception  in  a  city  which,  only  a  day  or  two  before,  had  been  the 
headquarters  and  centre  of  the  Rebellion,  was  most  remarkable;  and 
more  resembled  the  triumphal  return  from,  than  an  entry  into  the 
enemy's  capital.  Instead  of  the  streets  being  silent  and  vacated,  they 
were  filled  with  men,  women,  and  children,  shouting  and  cheering 
wherever  he  went. 

"  I'd  rather  see  him  than  see  Jesus,"  excitedly  exclaims  one  woman, 
as  she  runs  ahead  of  the  crowd  to  get  a  full  view  of  his  benign  counte 
nance.  "  De  kingdom's  come,  and  de  Lord  is  wid  us,"  chants  another. 
"Hallelujah!"  shouts  a  third;  and  so  on  through  a  whole  volume  of 
prayers,  praises,  blessings,  and  benedictions  showered  down  upon  him,- 
the  great  emancipator  of  a  race,  and  the  saviour  of  his  country,  thus 
redeemed,  as  he  walked  slowly  forward  with  smiling  face  and  uncovered 
head,  greater  and  happier  in  his  plain  and  unassuming  presence  than 
ever  Persian  king  or  Roman  conqueror  with  all  the  pomp  and  blazonry 
of  ill-gotten  wealth  and  power. 

From  the  "  Rocketts,"  where  the  President,  accompanied  by  Admiral 
Porter  and  other  naval  officers,  landed  from  a  gun-boat,  to  General 
Weitzel's  headquarters  at  the  late  residence  of  Jefferson  Davis,  it  was 
one  triumphal  march.  Crowds  surrounded  the  house  and  sent  up  cheer 
after  cheer.  After  the  officers  were  presented  to  him,  the  citizens  gen 
erally  were  allowed  the  high  honor  and  glad  privilege  of  taking  his  hand 
in  theirs.  He  was  dressed  in  a  long,  black  overcoat,  high  silk  hat,  and 
black  pants,  giving  to  his  form  a  very  commanding  appearance. 


Nc-w  Hampshire   Volunteers.  273 

Subsequently  the  President  and  his  suite,  with  a  cavalry  escort  of 
colored  troops,  appeared  on  the  square,  drawn  in  a  carriage  and  four,  and 
was  driven  round  the  works.  Everywhere  the  reception  was  the  same  — 
bands  playing  and  crowds  besieging  the  grounds,  each  anxious  for  a 
closer  inspection  of  the  distinguished  occupant  of  the  carriage. 

It  was  in  the  chair  and  on  the  desk  of  the  fugitive  Ex-Confederate 
chief  (for  the  sceptre  of  his  command  was  already  broken)  that  Presi 
dent  Lincoln  sat  and  wrote  his  famous  order  in  relation  to  the  reassem 
bling  of  the  Virginia  legislature,  which,  though  never  carried  out  in  the 
manner  and  spirit  intended,  showed,  nevertheless,  his  statesmanlike 
wisdom,  as  well  as  that  noble  magnanimity  which  is  only  allied  with  the 
highest  type  of  human  greatness.  No  wonder  that  the  intelligent  citizens 
of  the  South,  who  had  already  learned  to  respect  and  were  willing  to 
trust  him,  should  have  so  deeply  regretted  his  untimely  death. 

But  it  was  not  the  colored  population  alone  that  welcomed  the  Union 
troops  and  their  great  commander-in-chief  into  the  city  of  Richmond. 
Thousands  of  the  white  citizens  were  glad  to  be  again  under  the  protec 
tion  of  the  flag  of  their  fathers ;  and  some,  who  had  been  true  to  it  from 
the  first,  keeping  it  safely  hidden  away  as  a  sacred  emblem  of  their  loy 
alty,  were  more  happy,  if  possible,  though  less  demonstrative,  than  the 
negro,  as  they  once  more  were  allowed  the  privilege  of  spreading  its 
bright  folds  to  the  free  air  of  heaven. 

In  another  letter,  written  a  few  days  later,  Sergeant  Clarke  says  : 

Of  all  the  bights  I  ever  saw,  Richmond,  on  the  3d  of  April,  was  the  hardest. 
The  people  were  literally  starving.  The  market  looked  as  if  it  had  not  had  a 
pound  of  meat  in  it  for  years.  The  stores  were  all  empty  or  burned,  women 
and  children  begging  for  something  to  eat,  and  a  great  many  old  men  and  boys 
had  gone  into  the  army  1'ather  than  go  hungry  at  home.  The  rebel  army  had  to 
be  fed,  if  the  citizens  starved. 

A  conversation  overheard  by  one  of  the  regiment  shows  that  even  some 
of  the  aristocratic  were  not  entirely  blind  to  the  scene  before  them  and 
the  cause  of  it,  and  were  obliged  to  give  the  "Yankee  devils"  their  due 
of  praise  for  saving  their  property  and  the  city,  and  feeding  their 
starving  families. 

"Who  would  have  thought  of  this  ?  Our  enemies,  whom  we  have  so 
long  fought  and  hated,  our  saviours  at  last !  See  them  doing  everything 
they  can  to  save  our  property  from  the  flames  that  our  own  soldiers  have 
kindled  to  destroy."  "Yes,"  remarks  another,  both  apparently  belonging 
to  the  wealthy  class,  *'  not  satisfied  with  pillaging  our  houses  and  robbing 
us  of  everything  to  eat,  they  are  willing  to  see  our  homes  and  city  de 
voured  by  the  flames.  But  I  suppose  they  were  ordered  to  do  so,  and 
are  but  destructive  tools  in  the  hands  of  desperate  leaders." 

"So  much  the  worse  for  the  leaders,"  replies  the  first  speaker.  "The 
fact  is,  we  have  been  blindly  following  such  leaders  altogether  too  long ; 

18 


274  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

followed  not  simply  like  sheep  to  the  slaughter,  but  like  fools  to  this  very 
brink  of  ruin  upon  which  in  poverty,  humiliation,  and  shame  we  are  now 
standing.  But,  thank  God,  my  eyes  are  open  at  last,  and  I  am  heartily 
glad  that  the  reign  of  Jeff.  Davis  &  Co.  has  come  to  an  end." 

Closely  akin  to  the  sentiments  thus  plainly  spoken  is  the  following 
communication  published  in  the  "Richmond  Whig"  of  April  4,  the  day 
after  the  possession  of  the  city  by  our  troops  : 

Once  more  through  the  mercy  and  favor  of  Him  who  is  the  giver  of  all  good, 
we  have  the  inexpressible  joy  and  glorious  privilege  of  greeting  the  flag  of  the 
Union.  For  four  years  we  have  been  a  down-trodden  and  oppressed  people. 
Volumes  could  not  contain  or  express  the  misery,  suffering,  and  oppression  which 
we  have  been  subjected  to.  The  darkest  pages  of  the  world's  history  reveal 
nothing  that  can  be  compared  to  the  terrible  ordeal  through  which  we  have 
passed.  We  should  DC  grateful  indeed  for  this  token  of  Divine  favor  in  deliver 
ing  us  from  the  most  tyrannical  and  despotic  government  which  has  existed  since 
"  darkness  was  changed  into  light." 

We  shall  now  soon  have  the  peace,  prosperity,  and  happiness  which  was  once 
ours,  and  enjoy  the  freedom  and  liberty  which  was  vouchsafed  us  by  our  sires  of 
the  Revolution. 

Concerning  the  evacuation  of  Richmond,  the  following  from  the  pen 
of  Capt.  Clement  Sulivan,  an  Ex-Confederate  soldier,  gives  an  interest 
ing  view  of  the  situation  during  the  afternoon  and  night  before  the  entry 
of  our  troops  :  * 

About  11.30  A.  M.,  on  Sunday,  April  2,  a  strange  agitation  was  perceptible 
on  the  streets  of  Richmond,  and  before  half  an  hour  it  was  known  on  all  sides 
that  Lee's  lines  had  been  broken  below  Petersburg;  that  he  was  in  full  retreat 
on  Danville ;  that  the  troops  covering  the  city  at  Chapin's  and  Drury's  Bluffs 
were  on  the  point  of  being  withdrawn,  and  that  the  city  was  forthwith  to  be 
abandoned. 

A  singular  security  had  been  felt  by  the  citizens,  so  that  the  news  fell  like  a 
bomb-shell  in  a  peaceful  camp,  and  dismay  reigned  supreme. 

All  the  Sabbath  day  the  trains  came  and  went,  wagons,  vehicles,  and  horse 
men  rumbled  and  dashed  to  and  fro,  and  in  the  evening  ominous  groups  of 
ruffians,  more  or  less  in  liquor,  began  to  make  their  appearance  on  the  principal 
thoroughfares  of  the  city.  As  night  came  on,  pillage,  rioting,  and  robbing  took 
place.  The  police  and  a  few  soldiers  were  at  hand,  and,  after  the  arrest  of  a  few 
ringleaders  and  the  more  riotous  of  their  followers,  a  fair  degree  of  order  was 
restored ;  but  Richmond  saw  few  sleeping  eyes  during  the  pandemonium  of  that 
night.  *  *  *  * 

I  was  at  this  time  assistant  adjutant-general  of  Gen.  G.  W.  C.  Lee's  division, 
in  Ewell's  corps,  and  was  in  the  city  on  some  detached  duty.  *  *  *  * 

Upon  receipt  of  the  news  from  Petersburg,  I  reported  to  General  Ewell  —  then 
in  the  city  —  for  instructions,  and  was  ordered  to  assemble  and  command  the 
local  brigade,  cause  it  to  be  well  supplied  with  provisions  and  ammunition  and 
await  further  orders.  All  that  day  and  night  I  was  engaged  in  this  duty,  but 

*  See  Century's  War  Book,  Vol.  IV. 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  275 

with  small  results,  as  the  battalions  melted  away  as  fast  as  they  were  formed  — 
mainly  under  orders  from  the  heads  of  departments  who  needed  all  their  em 
ploye's  in  the  transportation  and  guarding  of  the  archives,  etc.,  but  partly,   no 
doubt,  from  desei'tions.      When  morning  dawned  fewer  than  two  hundred  men 
remained  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Edward  Mayo. 

Shortly  before  day  General  Ewell  rode  in  person  to  my  headquarters,  and 
informed  me  that  Gen.  G.  W.  C.  Lee's  division  was  then  crossing  the  pontoon 
at  Drury's ;  that  he  would  destroy  it  and  press  on  to  join  the  main  army  ;  that  all 
the  bridges  over  the  river  had  been  destroyed,  except  Mayo's,  between 'Richmond 
and  Manchester,  and  that  the  wagon  bridge  over  the  canal  in  front  of  Mayo's 
had  already  been  burned  by  Union  emissaries.  My  command  was  to  hasten  to 
Mayo's  bridge  and  protect  it,  and  the  one  remaining  foot-bridge  over  the  canal 
leading  to  it,  until  General  Gary,  of  South  Carolina,  should  arrive.  I  hurried  to 
my  command,  and  fifteen  minutes  later  occupied  Mayo's  at  the  foot  of  Fourteenth 
street,  and  made  military  disposition  to  protect  it  to  the  last  extremity. 

This  done,  I  had  nothing  to  do  but  listen  for  sounds,  and  gaze  upon  the  terrible 
splendor  of  the  scene.  And  such  a  scene  probably  the  world  has  seldom  wit 
nessed.  Either  incendiaries  or  fragments  of  bombs  from  the  arsenals  had  fired 
several  buildings,  and  the  two  cities,  Richmond  and  Manchester,  were  like  a 
blaze  of  day  amid  the  surrounding  darkness.  Three  high-arched  bridges  were 
in  flames ;  beneath  them  the  waters  sparkled,  dashed,  and  rushed  on  by  the 
burning  cities.  Every  now  and  then,  as  a  magazine  exploded,  a  column  of  white 
smoke  rose  up  as  high  as  the  eye  could  reach,  instantly  followed  by  a  deafening 
sound.  The  earth  seemed  to  rock  and  tremble,  as  with  the  shock  of  an  earth 
quake,  and  immediately  afterward  hundreds  of  shells  would  explode  in  air  and 
send  their  iron  spray  down  far  below  the  bridge.  As  the  immense  magazines 
of  cartridges  ignited,  the  rattle  as  of  thousands  of  muskets  would  follow,  and 
then  all  was  still  for  the  moment,  except  the  dull  roar  and  crackle  of  the  fast- 
spreading  fires.  At  dawn  we  heard  terrific  explosions  about  "The  Rocketts " 
from  the  unfinished  ironclads  down  the  river. 

At  daylight,  on  the  3d,  a  mob  of  men,  women,  and  children  to  the  number  of 
several  thousands  had  gathered  at  the  corner  of  Fourteenth  and  Gary  streets, 
and  other  outlets  near  the  bridge,  attracted  by  the  vast  commissary  depot 
at  that  point;  for  it  must  be  remembered,  that  in  1865  Richmond  was  a  half- 
starved  city,  and  the  Confederate  government  had  that  morning  removed  its 
guards  and  abandoned  the  removal  of  the  provisions  which  it  was  impossible  to 
move  for  the  want  of  transportation.  The  depot  doors  were  forced  open  and  a 
demoniacal  struggle  for  the  countless  barrels  of  hams,  bacon,  whiskey,  flour, 
sugar,  coffee,  etc.,  raged  about  the  buildings  among  the  hungry  mob.  The  gut 
ters  ran  whiskey,  and  it  was  lapped  up,  as  it  flowed  down  the  streets,  while  all 
fought  for  a  share  of  the  plunder.  The  flames  came  nearer  and  nearer,  and  at 
last  caught  in  the  commissariat  itself. 

At  daylight  the  approach  of  the  Union  forces  could  be  plainly  discerned. 
After  a  little  came  the  clatter  of  horses'  hoofs,  galloping  up  Main  street.  My 
infantry  guard  stood  to  arms,  and  the  engineer  officer  lighted  a  torch  of  fat  pine. 
By  direction*  of  the  Engineer  Department,  barrels  of  tar,  surrounded  by  pine 
knots,  had  been  placed  at  intervals  on  the  bridge,  with  kerosene  at  hand,  and  a 
lieutenant  of  engineers  had  reported  for  the  duty  of  firing  them  at  my  order. 


276  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

The  noisy  train  proved  to  be  Gary's  ambulances,  sent  forward  preparatory  to 
his  final  rush  for  the  bridge.  The  muleteers  galloped  their  animals  about  half 
way  down,  when  they  were  stopped  by  the  dense  mass  of  human  beings. 
Rapidly  communicating  to  Captain  Mayo  my  instructions  from  General  Ewell, 
I  ordered  that  officer  to  stand  firm  at  his  post  until  Gary  got  up. 

I  then  rode  forward  into  the  mob  and  cleared  a  lane,  and  ambulances  were 
driven  swiftly  down  to  the  bridge.  I  retired  to  my  post,  and  the  mob  closed  in 
after  me  and  resumed  its  wild  struggle  for  plunder.  A  few  minutes  later  a  long 
line  of  cavalry  in  gray  turned  into  Fourteenth  street,  and,  sword  in  hand,  gal 
loped  straight  down  to  the  river.  Gary  had  come.  The  mob  scattered  right 
and  left  before  the  armed  horsemen,  who  reined  up  at  the  canal.  Presently  a 
single  company  of  cavalry  appeared  in  sight,  and  rode  at  a  head-long  speed  to 
the  bridge.  "My  rear-guard,"  exclaimed  Gary.  Touching  his  hat  to  me,  he 

called  out:  "All  over,  good  bye;  blow  her  to  h 1,"  and  trotted  over  the 

bridge.  This  was  the  first  and  last  I  ever  saw  of  General  Gary,  of  South 
Carolina. 

In  less  than  sixty  seconds  Captain  Mayo  was  in  column  of  march,  and  as  he 
reached  the  little  island,  about  half-way  across  the  bridge,  the  single  piece  of 
artillery,  loaded  with  grape-shot,  that  had  occupied  that  spot,  arrived  on  the 
Manchester  side  of  the  river.  The  engineer  officer,  Dr.  Lyons,  and  I  walked 
leisurely  to  the  island,  setting  fire  to  the  provided  combustible  matter,  as  we 
passed  along,  and  leaving  the  north  section  of  the  bridge  wrapped  in  flames  and 
smoke.  At  the  island  we  stopped  to  take  a  view  of  the  situation  north  of  the 
river,  and  saw  a  line  of  blue-coated  horsemen  riding  in  furious  haste  up  Main 
street.  Across  Fourteenth  street  they  stopped  and  then  dashed  down  that  street 
to  the  flaming  bridge.  They  fired  a  few  random  shots  at  us  there  on  the  island, 
and  we  retreated  to  Manchester.  I  ordered  my  command  forward ;  the  lieuten 
ant  of  engineers  saluted  and  went  about  his  business,  while  my  companion  and 
myself  sat  on  our  horses  for  nearly  a  half-hour  watching  the  occupation  of  Rich 
mond.  We  saw  another  line  of  horsemen  in  blue  pass  up  Main  street,  then  we 
saw  a  dense  column  of  infantry  march  by,  seemingly  without  end ;  we  heard  the 
very  walls  ring  with  cheers  as  the  United  States  forces  reached  Capitol  square, 
and  then  we  turned  and  slowly  rode  on  our  way. 

A  further  description  of  that  terrible  night  to  the  citizens  of  Richmond 
is  copied  from  the  evening  edition  of  the  "  Richmond  Whig,"  of  April  6, 
1865,  which  now,  August  6,  1894,  lies  before  the  writer : 

For  a  month  past  the  Confederates  have  been  evacuating  the  city  with  all  the 
speed  and  means  they  could  command,  but  somehow  the  people  refused  to  be 
lieve  that  the  removal  meant  evacuation,  and  all  declared  that  the  measures  were 
only  precautionary. 

Matters  went  on  in  this  way  until  last  Sunday,  the  Confederates  hurrying  away 
every  species  of  property,  the  people  blindly  refusing  to  believe  that  the  city  was 
to  be  given  up,  and  clinging  to  their  Confederate  shinplasters  as  if  they  were 
things  of  worth. 

Sunday  morning  General  Lee  telegraphed  to  Davis,  giving  an  account  of  the 
general  attack  upon  his  lines,  and  stating  that  the  lines  had  been  pierced  in  several 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  277 

places  and  that  unless  he  could  re-establish  them,  Richmond  must  be  given  up 
that  night.  His  tone  for  the  first  time  since  the  war  was  despondent;  he  said 
his  men  were  not  coming  up  to  their  work. 

At  1 1  o'clock  that  morning  he  telegraphed  again  that  all  efforts  to  re-establish 
his  lines  had  been  utterly  unsuccessful.  Immediately  began  among  the  officials 
in  Richmond,  a  scurry  and  panic,  still  the  majority  of  the  people  were  in  the 
dark,  and  refusing  to  believe  their  eyes,  remained  many  of  them  till  night.  The 
gold  and  silver  coin  belonging  to  the  Louisiana  banks,  and  recently  appropriated 
by  the  Confederate  Congress,  was  run  clown  to  the  Danville  train  with  hot  haste. 
So  also  was  the  specie  of  the  Richmond  banks. 

Here  follows  what  the  editor  calls  the  "  programme  of  departure,"  rela 
tive  to  the  trains  and  Confederate  officials,  Davis  departing  on  train  at 
7  p.  M.,  and  Breckinridge  going  on  horseback  with  the  last  of  the  army 
the  next  morning  ;  and  also  an  account  of  the  cowardly  flight  of  Gover 
nor  Smith,  and  the  wise  and  timely  action  of  the  Mayor  and  Council  in 
ordering  the  destruction  of  all  liquors  in  the  city,  and  making  prepara 
tions  for  surrendering  the  city,  and  asking  the  protection  of  life  and 
property  by  our  troops  : 

In  the  meantime  a  saturnalia  had  begun  in  the  city.  About  dusk  the  govern 
ment  commissaries  began  the  destruction  of  an  immense  quantity  of  whiskey 
and  brandy  stored  in  the  large  building  at  the  corner  of  Pearl  and  Gary  streets. 
Several  hundred  soldiers  and  citizens  gathered  in  front  of  the  building  and  con 
trived  to  save  much  of  the  liquor  in  pitchers,  bottles,  and  basins.  This  liquor 
was  not  slow  in  manifesting  itself.  The  crowd  quickly  became  a  mob  and  began 
to  howl.  Soon  other  crowds  collected  in  front  of  other  government  warehouses, 
and  some  attempts  were  made  to  distribute  supplies,  but  so  frenzied  had  the  mob 
become  that  the  officers  in  charge,  in  many  cases,  had  to  flee  for  their  lives. 

All  through  the  night  crowds  of  men,  women,  and  children  traversed  the 
streets,  running  from  one  storehouse  to  another,  loading  themselves  with  all 
kinds  of  supplies  to  be  thrown  away  immediately  on  something  more  tempting 
offering  itself.  Men  could  be  seen  rolling  hogsheads  of  molasses,  bacon,  and 
sugar,  barrels  of  liquor,  and  bushels  of  tea  and  coffee;  others  had  wheelbarrows 
loaded  with  all  manner  of  goods,  while  others  again  had  gone  into  the  plunder 
ing  business  on  a  large  scale,  and  were  operating  with  bags,  furniture  wagons, 
and  drays.  This  work  went  on  fast  and  furious  until  after  midnight,  about 
which  time  a  large  number  of  straggling  Confederate  soldiers  made  their  appear 
ance  on  the  street,  and  at  once  set  about  robbing  the  principal  stores  on  Main 
street.  The  scenes  that  then  followed  have  been  already  described.  There  was 
a  regular  sack.  *  *  *  * 

Next  follows  an  account  of  General  Ewell's  order  to  fire  the  four  prin 
cipal  tobacco  warehouses  of  the  city,  and  the  vain  efforts  of  the  mayor 
and  a  committee  of  leading  citizens  to  have  the  order  revoked.  Their 
expressions  of  fear  that  the  firing  of  the  warehouses  would  destroy  the 
city  were  met  by  the  reply  that  it  was  all  "a  cowardly  pretext,  trumped 
up  on  the  part  of  the  citizens  to  save  their  property  for  the  Yankees." 


278  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

The  Confederate  authorities,  fearing  civil  resistance  to  the  execution  of 
their  "  barbarous  work"  had  guarded  against  that  by  holding  back  "  two 
large  battalions  of  Southern  troops,  every  man  of  whom  hated  Virginia 
and  Virginians  and  longed  for  nothing  more  than  to  see  the  last  house  in 
the  city  a  ruin." 

Two  divisions —  Kershaw's  and  Curtis  Lee's — with  several  small  batteries 
were  holding  the  lines  below  the  city.  Gradually  during  the  night,  these  troops 
were  withdrawn  by  brigades. 

The  first  movements  were  orderly  enough,  but  toward  morning  the  retreat  be 
came  a  wild  flight.  It  was  one  of  the  ghastliest  sights  of  that  awful  night  to  see 
long  lines  of  men  flitting  like  unholy  shades  through  the  crowded  streets,  their 
forms  made  hideous  by  the  glare  of  the  incendiary  fires  that  already  began  to 
glow. 

The  train  of  fugitives  poured  on  unbroken  up  Main  street,  down  Fourteenth 
street,  until  broad  daylight  broke  upon  the  scene  before  the  last  one  passed  over  the 
bridge  already  in  flames.  *  *  *  * 

Here  nearly  half  a  column  of  the  paper  is  filled  with  an  account  of  the 
firing  of  the  city  in  many  places  beside  the  tobacco  houses,  and  a  brief 
description  of  the  conflagration,  ending  with  these  words:  "By  7 
o'clock  A.  M.  nearly  the  whole  of  the  city  south  of  Main  street,  between 
Eighth  and  Fifteenth  streets,  and  Tenth  and  Twenty-third  streets  was 
one  great  sea  of  flames." 

It  was  part  of  the  programme  that  Gary's  cavalry  should  be  the  last  Confeder 
ate  troops  to  leave  the  lines  below  Richmond.  They  were  to  come  stealthily 
upon  the  city  about  daylight,  catch  up  all  stragglers  and  citizens  they  could  lay 
hold  on,  and  hurry  them  off  with  the  army.  This  part  of  the  plan  was  frus 
trated  by  the  rapid  advance  of  the  Union  forces. 

Gary  passed  up  Main  street  not  five  minutes  ahead  of  the  Union  column,  and 
so  far  from  dragging  off  others  he  barely  saved  himself.  Mayo's  bridge  and  the 
Danville  were  then  all  of  a  blaze.  Gary  crossed  the  dock  by  the  bridge  at  the 
southern  terminus  of  Seventeenth  street,  and  then  set  fire  to  the  structure. 

Two  citizens,  William  J.  Brown  and  Robert  Allen,  chancing  to  be  in  the 
neighborhood,  rushed  to  the  bridge  and  extinguished  the  flames  before  they  had 
gained  headway.  While  so  engaged,  they  were  fired  upon  by  Gary's  men,  but 
fortunately  neither  of  them  was  struck.  Gary  then  sped  away  over  Mayo's 
bridge  which  was  burning  from  end  to  end,  and  almost  on  the  point  of  falling 


The  editor  then  refers  to  the  approach,  entry,  and  good  work  of  our 
troops  in  putting  out  the  fires  and  restoring  order  and  confidence,  and 
concludes  as  follows  : 

Truly  the  ways  of  Providence  are  inscrutable. 

The  burning  of  our  goodly  city  would  seem  at  first  glance  an  unmitigated  evil. 
But  there  is  another  view  to  be  taken  of  it.  It  has  had  one  good  effect.  If 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers.  279 

there  lingered  in  the  hearts  of  any  of  our  people  one  spark  of  affection  for  the 
Davis  dynasty,  their  ruthless,  useless,  wanton  handing  over  to  the  flames  their 
fair  city,  their  homes  and  altars,  has  extinguished  it  forever. 

There  has  been  much  written,  and  a  long  dispute  upon  the  question  of 
what  troops  first  entered  the  city  of  Richmond  after  its  evacuation  by  the 
rebel  forces. 

The  historian  of  the  Thirteenth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers  devotes 
several  pages  in  answer  to  this  question,  claiming  a  large  share  of  the 
credit  and  honor  for  that  regiment.  Now,  while  we  would  much  quicker 
add  as  many  pages  more  in  praise  of  its  brave  record,  than  detract  one 
single  sentence  from  its  just  deserts,  the  stern  demand  of  duty  made  upon 
everyone  who  assumes  the  grave  responsibility  of  truthfully  representing 
the  past  for  the  instruction  and  guidance  of  the  future,  without  fear  or 
favor  of  the  living,  and  in  full  justice  to  the  dead,  requires  us  to  kindly 
suggest  to  the  author  of  that  very  well  written  and  interesting  work,  that 
in  his  very  laudable  desire  to  give  his  regiment  full  credit  for  everything 
that  can  in  any  way  ennoble  its  record,  he  may  have  assumed  some  things 
as  facts  because  stated  to  him  as  such,  without  sufficiently  examining  the 
evidence  pro  and  con. 

Maj.  Gen.  Godfrey  Weitzel,  who  was  then  in  command  of  all  the  Union 
forces  around  Richmond,  north  of  the  James,  in  a  letter  written  by  him 
and  published  in  the  "  Philadelphia  Weekly  Times"  of  August  27,  1881, 
says  : 

At  the  same  time  I  directed  my  senior  aide-de-camp,  Maj.  Emmons  E.  Graves, 
and  my  provost  marshal,  Maj.  Atherton  H.  Stevens,  Jr.,  to  take  a  detachment  of 
about  forty  men  from  two  companies  of  the  Fourth  Massachusetts  Cavalry, 
attached  to  my  headquarters,  and  as  soon  as  they  could  possibly  get  through  the 
rebel  lines  to  advance  toward  Richmond  on  a  reconnoissance.  I  then  telegraphed 
the  state  of  affairs  north  of  the  James  to  Generals  Grant  and  Hortsuff.  As 
soon  as  I  could  see,  I  passed  through  Kautz's  lines  and  the  rebel  lines  in  his 
front  with  my  staff  and  orderlies.  We  then  rode  along  the  Osborne  pike,  and 
when  we  arrived  at  its  junction  with  the  New  Market  road  we  saw  Devens's 
division  coming  up,  marching  rapidly.  Upon  looking  to  the  rear  we  saw 
Kautz's  division  coming  up  the  pike  at  a  similar  gait.  I  afterward  understood 
that  the  two  columns  met  here,  and  that  Devens  claimed  the  pike  by  virtue  of 
seniority  in  rank,  and  that  Kautz  yielded  it  on  that  account,  but  struck  out 
straight  across  the  fields.  When  we  entered  Richmond  we  found  ourselves  in  a 
perfect  pandemonium.  Fires  and  explosions  in  all  directions,  whites  and  blacks 
either  drunk  or  in  the  highest  state  of  excitement,  running  to  and  fro  on  the 
streets,  apparently  engaged  in  pillage,  or  in  saving  some  of  their  scanty  effects 
from  the  fire.  It  was  a  yelling,  howling  mob.  Major  Graves  had  reconnoitered 
up  to  the  Capitol  square  in  the  city.  Outside  the  city  he  had  been  met  by  Mayor 
Mayo  and  others  of  Richmond,  and  received  its  surrender. 

When  the  mob  saw  my  staff  and  myself,  they  rushed  around  us,  hugged  and 
kissed  our  legs  and  horses,  shouting  "  Hallelujah  !  "  and  "  Glory!  "  I  escaped 


280  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

considerable  of  this  disagreeable  infliction  by  an  amusing  circumstance.  Maj. 
William  V.  Hutchings,  of  Roxbury,  Mass.,  rode  by  my  side.  He  was  dressed 
in  full  uniform,  except  epaulettes,  and  had  the  regulation  equipments,  etc.,  on 
his  horse.  He  had  quite  a  venerable  and  handsome  appearance.  I  was  in  un 
dress  uniform.  The  mob  naturally  supposed  Hutchings  to  be  the  general,  and 
he  received  the  bulk  of  kisses  and  attentions.  Colonel  Adams  asked,  as  a  special 
favor,  to  be  allowed  to  march  his  regiment  through  the  city,  and  I  granted  it. 
I  was  told  that  this  fine  regiment  of  'colored  men  made  a  very  great  impression 
on  those  citizens  who  saw  it.  *  *  *  * 

There  was  some  dispute  as  to  which  troops  first  entered  Richmond,  white  or 
colored.  Majors  Graves  and  Stevens,  with  the  forty  or  more  men  of  the  Fourth 
Massachusetts  Cavalry,  were  the  first  to  enter.  Then  there  was  some  dispute  as 
to  the  first  flag  hoisted  over  Richmond  after  its  capture.  This  detachment  of 
Massachusetts  cavalry  had  two  guidons  with  it.  These  guidons  were  raised  first 
—  one  at  each  end  of  the  Capitol  building  —  and  were,  therefore,  the  first  United 
States  colors  raised.  General  Shepley  had  the  first  flag  raised  in  New  Orleans 
after  its  capture  with  him,  and  an  aide-de-camp  on  his  staff,  Lieutenant  DePeyster, 
carried  it  into  Richmond,  under  his  uniform,  and  hoisted  it  over  the  Capitol,  upon 
the  large  flag-staff".  This  was,  therefore,  the  first  real  American  flag  which  was 
displayed. 

Supplementary  to  the  foregoing  statement  of  General  Weitzel,  is  the 
testimony  of  Thomas  Thatcher  Graves,  of  Danielsonville,  Conn.,  who 
was  also  an  aide-de-camp  to  General  Weitzel  at  that  time.  In  a  letter  to 
the  "•  Boston  Globe,"  dated  April  26,  1885,  after  referring  to  and  quoting 
from  Weitzel's  letter,  he  very  pertinently  adds  : 

This  testimony  from  the  general  commanding  the  forces  at  the  fall  of  Rich 
mond  ought  to  forever  settle  the  question  as  to  what  troops  first  entered  the  city 
and  who  first  raised  the  flag. 

Upon  arriving  at  the  Capitol  grounds  I  saw  the  guidons  upon  the  top  of  the 
roof  of  the  State  Capitol,  and  Messrs.  Graves  and  Stevens  reported  to  General 
Weitzel  that  they  were  fired  upon  from  a  distance  by  the  mob  when  they  went 
out  upon  the  roof  to  plant  the  guidons.  It  was  a  bold  and  plucky  thing  to  do  ;  and 
never  has  been  sufficiently  recognized.  These  two  men,  guarded  by  only  forty 
cavalrymen,  went  alone  out  onto  the  top  of  the  Capitol,  hauled  down  the  rebel 
flag,  and  hoisted  those  flags  in  the  face  of  a  drunken,  howling  mob  of  soldiers, 
in  the  heart  of  a  city,  around  which  a  million  of  men  had  fought  for  the  posses 
sion  for  four  years. 

Lieutenant  Peyster  did  not  go  upon  the  roof  until  our  troops  had  been  in  pos 
session  for  some  time  and  the  guidons  of  the  Fourth  Massachusetts  Cavalry  had 
floated  in  full  view  for  a  number  of  hours.  If  the  regiment  has  those  guidons 
now  in  their  possession,  they  ought  to  be  framed  in  gold. 

Cumulative  evidence  from  many  might  be  adduced,  if  necessary,  in  cor- 
roboration  of  what  has  already  been  given,  but  we  will  only  refer  to  that 
of  the  celebrated  war  correspondent,  C.  C.  Coffin,  who,  over  the  signa 
ture  of  "  Carleton,"  wrote  so  vividly  and  accurately  of  what  he  saw  and 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  281 

heard  as  to  make  himself  famous  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic.  In  his 
correspondence  for  the  "  Boston  Journal "  will  be  found  a  substantial  con 
firmation  of  what  has  just  been  written  upon  the  subject. 

The  next  troops  and  first  infantry  to  enter  the  city  were  doubtlessly  the 
picket  line  of  the  Second  Division  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Corps,  com 
manded  by  General  Devens  ;  but  whether  the  First  or  Second  Brigade 
had  the  lead  is  not  so  certain. 

Until  the  publication  of  the  history  of  the  Thirteenth  'Regiment  it  had 
been  understood  and  generally  conceded  that  the  pickets  of  the  Second 
Brigade  were  first  in  the  city  after  the  cavalry.  But  it  is  claimed  by  the 
author  of  that  work  that  not  only  was  the  First  Brigade,  with  that  regi 
ment  at  the  head  of  the  column,  foremost  on  the  march  toward  and  into 
the  rebel  capital,  but  that  their  pickets  were  ahead  in  the  chase  for  the 
same  coveted  goal,  and  the  first  to  reach  the  Capitol  itself,  before  any 
Union  flag  or  guidon  had  been  raised  thereon. 

Allowing  all  this  to  be  correct  would  be  to  ignore  the  protests  and 
remonstrances  of  hundreds,  living  and  dead,  many  of  whom  were  wit 
nesses  to,  or  actual  participants  in,  those  exciting  scenes,  including  the 
chief  actor,  General  Weitzel  himself. 

Capt.  Warren  M.  Kelley,  of  the  Tenth  New  Hampshire  Regiment,  who 
is  now  living  at  Martin's  Ferry,  N.  H.,  was  in  command  of  the  picket- 
line  of  the  Second  Brigade  on  that  eventful  day ;  and  from  his  statement, 
taken  in  connection  with  that  of  Lieut.  Royal  B.  Prescott,  of  the  Thir 
teenth  New  Hampshire,  who  was  at  that  time  senior  officer,  as  he  claims, 
in  charge  of  the  picket  line  of  the  First  Brigade,  and  whose  statement  at 
large  is  given  in  the  history  of  his  regiment,  as  the  principal  authority 
for  the  claim  of  priority  therein  set  up,  it  appears  quite  evident  that  the 
former  must  have  led  the  first  infantry  troops  of  the  Union  army  into  the 
capital  of  the  Southern  Confederacy. 

If  this  conclusion  be  correct,  as,  viewed  in  the  light  of  many  other 
reliable  sources,  it  seems  to  be,  then  should  Captain  Kelley,  and  the  offi 
cers  and  men  under  him,  have  all  the  honor  that  belongs  to  them. 

In  reply  to  a  letter  written  him  by  the  author  a  few  years  ago,  Captain 
Kelly  responded  as  follows  : 

At  your  request  I  submit  the  following,  not  from  memory  alone,  but  from  his 
tory  made  at  the  time,  and  printed  in  the  Richmond  daily  papers. 

April  2,  1865,  I  was  in  command  of  the  Tenth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers, 
then  encamped  on  Chapin's  Farm,  near  Fort  Harrison,  Va.  On  this  date  I  was 
detailed  to  command  the  picket-line  of  the  Second  Brigade,  Third  Division, 
Twenty-fourth  Army  Corps  ;  and  while  on  duty  as  such,  at  or  near  midnight,  I 
received  an  order  from  General  Devens,  commanding  the  division,  to  advance 
my  line  of  pickets  at  early  daylight  against  the  rebel  works. 

I  immediately  rode  along  the  picket-line  and  gave  the  order  as  I  received  it. 
Early  daylight  was  near  4  o'clock  at  that  time  of  year  in  Virginia.  We  had 
seen  the  rebel  picket  fires  during  the  night,  showing  them  still  at  their  posts,  but 
the  boys,  all  old  veterans,  were  ready  to  obey  the  order. 


282  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

We  held  nearly  one  half-mile  of  line  along  the  rebel  front,  and  as  we  advanced 
toward  the  enemy's  pickets,  we  saw  in  the  direction  of  Richmond,  a  light,  and 
heard  a  rumbling  sound.  As  we  came  near  the  rebel  line,  their  fires  were  still 
burning,  but  no  soldiers  could  be  seen  around  or  near  them.  We  soon  came  to 
their  breastworks,  and  Fort  Gilmer,  which  was  near  the  centre  of  our  line,  but 
found  all  vacated  by  the  rebels,  who  had  left  their  tents  and  cannon  behind  them, 
and  everything  indicated  a  hasty  retreat. 

From  here  we  marched  rapidly  on,  the  boys  all  eager  to  gain  the  rebel  capital, 
about  seven  miles  distant,  as  soon  as  possible.  We  met  with  no  opposition  nor 
received  any  orders  from  any  one.  The  first  soldiers  I  saw  were  a  colored  guard 
coming  up  in  our  rear,  that  belonged  to  General  Weitzel's  command.  At  this 
point  we  entered  the  main  road,  and  I  called  my  men  from  skirmish  line  to  col 
umn  of  fours.  We  soon  neared  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  and  entered  it  near 
where  two  roads  crossed,  marching  through  what  was  called  "The  Rocketts," 
which  seemed  to  be  a  kind  of  landing  place  for  rebel  gun-boats  and  other  craft. 
From  this  place  we  saw  in  the  distance  some  negroes  unrolling  something.  As 
we  neared  them,  we  saw  it  was  an  old  United  States  flag.  I  brought  my  com 
mand  to  a  halt,  which  was  the  first  I  had  made  since  we  started. 

I  had  about  two  hundred  men  when  I  gave  the  order  to  advance,  but  nearly  fifty 
had  fallen  out,  as  we  marched  nearly  half  the  way  on  a  "double-quick."  I  re 
quested  the  negroes  to  go  upon  the  top  of  the  building,  which  had  a  flat  roof,  and 
raise  the  old  flag,  which  they  immediately  did.  I  then  commanded  my  men  to 
give  the  flag  three  cheers,  which  being  done  with  a  will,  we  marched  on,  going 
up  Main  street,  passing  the  State  House  and  grounds. 

During  our  march  into  Richmond  we  saw  no  Union  soldiers,  except  two  or 
three  cavalrymen,  riding  at  will,  and  under  no  command  ;  and  we  saw  no  rebel 
soldiers,  except  non-combatants,  in  rebel  uniform,  but  unarmed. 

While  marching  up  Main  street.  I  enquired  where  JefF.  Davis  lived,  and  was 
told  by  some  of  the  colored  population,  who  thronged  our  way,  that  "  Marsa 
Davis"  lived  quite  a  distance  beyond  the  State  House.  Upon  arriving  in  front  of 
his  residence,  I  at  once  detailed  an  officer  and  men  to  enter  the  house,  and  make 
a  report  of  what  they  found  there.  After  a  quick  inspection,  they  reported  that 
no  valuables  could  be  found,  but  that  everything  else  remained  seemingly  just  as 
he  had  hurriedly  left  them.  I  then,  in  company  with  some  of  the  officers  of  the 
line,  entered  the  building,  and  found  the  report  true.  A  few  servants  had  been 
left  there  in  charge. 

While  my  command  was  standing  there  in  line,  I  received  orders  from  Devens 
to  patrol  the  streets  of  the  city  until  relieved  by  other  troops. 

To  the  question  that  may  arise  about  the  time  my  line  entered  Richmond,  you 
can  judge  something  by  the  distance  and  rapid  march  thither.  I  do  not  propose 
to  rob  any  other  soldiers  of  the  honor  of  entering  the  rebel  capital  before  the 
picket-line  that  I  happened  to  command,  if  they  can  establish  their  claim  against 
us  upon  any  evidence  that  will  bear  investigation. 

The  regiments  represented  in  my  command  were  the  Tenth  and  Twelfth 
New  Hampshire,  Ninety-sixth  and  One  Hundred  and  Eighteenth  New  York, 
Fifth  Maryland,  and  Ninth  Vermont ;  and  the  different  states  from  which  these 
soldiers  enlisted  can  all  claim  an  equal  share  of  whatever  credit  and  honor  that 
belongs  to  them  for  being  the  first  troops,  except  a  few  cavalrymen,  to  enter  the 
city  of  Richmond  after  its  evacuation. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  283 

I  have  written  this  statement  at  the  request  of  a  historian,  and  I  subscribe  to 
it  as  only  a  brief  part  of  what  may  be  truthfully  recorded  concerning  the  subject 
to  which  it  especially  refers. 

Lieutenant  Prescott,  of  the  Thirteenth  Regiment,  already  referred  to, 
who  claims  that  he  was  in  command  of  the  picket  line  of  the  First 
Brigade ;  that  his  men  were  the  first  Union  troops  to  enter  Richmond  ; 
and  whose  statement  the  historian  of  his  regiment  seems  to  accept  as 
true,  is  very  evidently  mistaken  ;  first  in  the  extent  of  his  command,  and 
second  in  supposing  that  his  men  were  in  advance  of  all  others,  not  ex 
cepting  even  the  cavalry.  He  might  have  been,  and  probably  was  in 
command  of  the  picket  detail  from  his  own  regiment,  instead  of  the 
whole  brigade  line.  And  this  is  the  only  reasonable  view  that  can  be 
taken  when  we  consider  that  an  officer  of  no  higher  rank  than  a  lieuten 
ant  would  not  have  been  selected  as  commanding  officer  of  a  brigade 
picket  line,  and  especially  where  so  much  was  pending,  and  the  picket 
force  such  an  important  factor  in  the  great  and  difficult  problem  to  be 
solved ;  for  it  was  a  thing  very  seldom  done,  even  when  there  was  noth 
ing  of  any  special  interest  or  importance  likely  to  occur.  And  this  view 
becomes  clearer  and  more  satisfactory  when  it  appears  from  the  editorial 
statement  of  Henry  A.  Pollard  in  the  "  Richmond  Times,"  of  April  28, 
1865,  as  quoted  in  support  of  his  claim*  that  Lieutenant  Prescott,  from 
whom  the  editor  most  unmistakably  got  his  information,  had  only  aboiit 
thirty  men  in  his  command. 

Pollard's  exact  words  are  here  given  : 

Lieutenant  Keener  with  about  thirty  men  here  [just  before  entering  the  city] 
joined  Lieutenant  Prescott's  squad,  which  numbered  about  the  same. 

Prescott  himself  says  in  his  statement  that : 

Soon  after  halting  here  we  were  joined  by  Lieut.  David  S.  Keener,  of  the 
Fifth  Maryland,  and  a  small  squad  of  his  men.  They  had  come  up  from  some 
point  still  further  to  the  left  than  we  had  been,  between  my  picket  line  and  the 
James.  His  men  joined  mine,  making  in  all  a  company  of  about  sixty  or  seventy 
men. 

Now,  to  put  the  most  favorable  construction  upon  the  foregoing  state 
ments  that  they  will  admit  of,  it  leaves  less  than  fifty  men  as  the  whole 
number  of  pickets  belonging  to  the  First  Brigade  ! 

To  every  old  soldier  this  alone  would  be  conclusive  evidence  of  a  grave 
mistake  somewhere,  and  fatal  to  any  claim  that  might  rest  to  any  consid 
erable  extent  upon  it. 

But  the  windows  of  light  and  truth  open  still  wider  when  it  becomes 
known  that  Lieutenant  Keener  was  an  officer  of  the  picket  line  of  the 
Second  Brigade,  and  his  squad  falling  in  the  rear,  because,  being  on  the 
extreme  right,  it  had  further  to  go,  he  was  ordered  by  Captain  Kelly,  in 

*  See  History  of  the  Thirteenth  Regiment,  page  564. 


284  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

command  of  the  picket  line  of  that  brigade,  to  bring  up  the  rear  as  fast 
as  possible  and  pick  up  any  stragglers  he  might  come  across  who  had 
been  obliged  to  fall  out  because  of  the  rapid  advance. 

Captain  Kelly,  in  refutation  of  Lieutenant  Prescott's  claim  of  leading 
the  first  organized  troops  into  Richmond,  in  a  statement  written  for  and 
published  in  the  "  Manchester  Union"  a  few  years  ago,  says : 

Lieutenant  Keener  belonged  to  the  Fifth  Maryland  Volunteers,  and  was  de 
tailed  for  the  skirmish  line  *  of  the  Second  Brigade,  and  was  left  behind  to  pick 
up  stragglers  from  that  command  ;  so  it  is  very  evident  that  Lieutenant  Prescott 
was  in  the  rear  of  the  Second  Brigade  skirmishers*  when  he  joined  the  skirmish 
ers  *  of  the  First  Brigade. 

It  also  appears  in  the  Captain's  statement  that  the  pickets  of  the  Second 
Brigade  whom  he  commanded,  and  which  was  about  the  same  size  of  the 
First  Brigade,  numbered  nearly  or  quite  two  hundred  men  from  which  he 
concludes  as  every  old  soldier  must,  "  that  Lieutenant  Prescott's  men 
must  have  been  the  detail  of  his  regiment,  instead  of  the  First  Brigade  in 
full." 

Now  when  it  is  considered  that  the  pickets  of  the  Second  Brigade 
were  nearer  Richmond  than  those  of  the  First  Brigade,  and  that  the  for 
mer  moved  first,  acting  upon  the  orders  of  the  night  before,  while  the 
latter  awaited  the  orders  of  Colonel  Bamberger,  division  officer  of  the 
day,  which  were  not  given,  according  to  Lieutenant  Prescott's  account, 
until  after  4.30  in  the  morning ;  that  the  picket  line  of  the  First  Brigade 
halted  two  or  three  times  and  waited  for  some  time  en  route,  and  yet  saw 
nothing  of  the  picket  line  of  the  Second  Brigade,  except  a  small  squad 
left  behind,  and  that  the  main  line  of  this  brigade  picket  never  halted  at 
all  until  it  entered  the  city,  there  is  no  ground  left  for  any  other  con 
clusion,  than  that  the  pickets  of  the  Second  Brigade,  Third  Division, 
Twenty-fourth  Corps  were  the  first  infantry  troops  of  the  Union  army  to 
enter  the  city  of  Richmond  after  its  evacuation.  And  the  correctness  of 
this  conclusion  is  supported  by  statements  made  in  the  "  Richmond 
Whig,"  including  both  the  daily  issues  of  the  4th  and  5th  of  April,  1865, 
from  one  of  which  is  taken  the  following : 

Captain  Warren  M.  Kelley,  Tenth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  was  in  com 
mand  of  the  skirmish  line  f  of  the  Second  Brigade,  commanded  by  Gen.  M.  T. 
Donohoe,  Third  Division,  Twenty-fourth  Army  Corps,  which  was  the  first 
organized  body  of  troops  to  enter  the  city,  under  the  direction  of  Lieutenant-Col 
onel  Bamberger,  Fifth  Maryland  Volunteers,  division  officer  of  the  day.  * 
*  *  Capt.  H.  Q.  Sargent,  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  was  in  com 
mand  of  the  left  wing  of  the  skirmish  line.f  *  *  *  * 

Captain  Kelley  advanced  his  line  of  skirmishers*  through  several  streets  of  the 
city,  and  halted  in  front  of  Jeff.  Davis's  mansion,  and  by  the  direction  of  the  staff 
officers,  above  mentioned,  divided  his  command  into  squads  and  patroled  the 
city  until  relieved  by  other  troops. 

*  Pickets  are  the  troops  referred  to.       t  Picket  line  is  meant. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  285 

And  to  put  the  matter  beyond  all  reasonable  doubt  it  need  only  be 
mentioned  that  Lieutenant  Prescott  acknowledges  that  "upon  the  crest 
of  the  high  land  known  as  'Tree  Hill'-- very  near  Richmond  —  we 
rested  a  few  minutes";  that  "soon  after  halting  here  we  were  joined  by 
Lieutenant  Keener";  and  that  he  halted  again  at  "Gillie's  Creek, 
stacked  arms  and  the  tired  men  threw  themselves  down  upon  the  ground 
to  rest,"  and  remained  there,  because  stopped  by  three  cavalrymen,  as  he 
says,  until  General  Weitzel  came  up,  which  must  have  been  for  nearly 
half  an  hour  or  more  ;  and  yet  he  makes  no  mention  of  having  seen  any 
thing  of  the  pickets  of  the  Second  Brigade,  except  the  "small  squad" 
under  Lieutenant  Keener,  either  upon  his  flank  or  in  his  rear.  In  fact 
he  says  he  did  not  see  any  other  Union  soldiers  except  General  Weitzel 
and  staff  and  the  three  cavalrymen. 

Where,  during  all  this  time,  were  the  other  pickets  of  the  Second 
Brigade?  If  behind,  is  it  possible  that  they  could  be  so  far  in  the  rear 
as  not  to  be  in  sight,  even  from  "  Free  Hill  "  that  gave  a  clear  view  of 
both  the  Newmarket  and  Osburn  roads,  which  unite  near  there,  for  a 
long  distance  back?  This,  as  a  rcductio  ad  absurdum,  seems  to  settle 
the  whole  matter. 

In  this  connection  the  morning  experience  and  exercise  of  some  of  the 
Twelfth  boys  in  the  grand  race  for  "  Dixie  Town"  may  give  a  relish  to 
this  historic  hash,  as  it  may  be  called,  for  the  reader  will  surely  think  it 
a  mixed  up  mess  as  it  really  was  at  that  time,  still  is,  and  will  always 
remain. 

And  from  Prescott,  the  "  Royal,"  of  the  Thirteenth,  we  will  now  turn 
our  attention  for  a  while  to  Capt.  John  H.  Prescott,  of  the  Twelfth. 

He  was  at  that  time  —  but  we  will  let  him  tell  his  own  story. 

On  the  night  Richmond  fell  I  was  brigade  officer  of  the  day.  As  such  I  was 
making  my  "grand  round"  about  3.30  in  the  morning,  and,  upon  arriving  at 
that  portion  of  the  brigade  picket  line  held  by  the  Twelfth,  boom  !  boom  !  boom  ! 
came  the  sounds  from  up  toward  Richmond.  There  were  three  loud  explo 
sions.  We  knew  the  rebels  were  blowing  up  something,  and  that  it  probably 
meant  evacuation.  I  at  once  ordered  the  pickets,  not  on  post,  to  be  up  and 
ready  to  march  at  once.  Capt.  II .  Q.  Sargent  was  in  charge  of  the  Twelfth 
boys  there,  and  he  with  alacrity  went  to  work,  while  I  rode  along  the  rest  of  the 
brigade  line  and  gave  the  same  orders  and  returned  to  our  regiment  front.  Just 
as  I  got  there,  up  rode  an  aide  from  division  headquarters,  and  gave  the  order  to 
move  forward  at  once.  Our  pickets  had  been  going  on  picket  for  some  time 
with  knapsacks  all  ready  for  a  move,  and  now  they  were  quickly  slung  and  the 
boys  started  out.  I  put  spurs  to  my  horse,  and  in  a  twinkling  was  at  brigade 
headquarters.  I  told  General  Donohoe  that  the  pickets  had  started,  and  asked 
leave  to  return  and  go  along  with  them.  This  was  refused. 

The  troops  got  oft'  as  soon  as  possible.  They  found  no  enemy  in  front  any 
where.  Just  as  fast  as  abatis  lines  could  be  cleared  away,  ditches  crossed,  and 
parapets  cleared,  they  went  on.  Our  brigade,  after  passing  over  the  inner  line 
of  works,  struck  a  road  leading  to  Richmond,  and  pushed  forward.  As  we 


286  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

approached  the  city  we  found  other  roads  leading  into  ours,  with  other  troops 
hurrying  toward  the  same  destination,  and  a  race  commenced  to  see  who  should 
get  there  first.  Knapsacks,  haversacks,  blankets,  and  everything  to  impede  their 
motion  were  thrown  away. 

Our  brigde  —  the  Second  —  got  at  the  junction  of  the  roads  first,  but  our  right 
of  way  was  only  given  to  those  who  actually  held  it  in  advance,  and  soon  officers 
and  men  of  different  commands  were  more  or  less  intermixed.  It  was  "on  to 
Richmond"  sure  now.  Our  brigade  got  into  the  city  first  of  all  infantry  troops, 
save  only  the  picket  lines.  General  Weitzel  and  some  cavalry  were  ahead  of  us. 

As  soon  as  I  got  away  a  little  from  General  Donohoe,  I  let  out  my  horse  and 
left  him  and  his  command  behind.  Clouds  of  smoke  were  rising  in  the  city. 
As  I  went  on  I  could  see  much  of  it  on  fire.  Meeting  negroes  I  inquired  for 
Libby  prison,  and  being  shown  the  way,  I  went  to  it  direct.  It  was  empty. 
No  Yankee  or  rebel  soldier  was  there.  I  went  all  over  it.  Soon  others  came. 
I  looked  for  something  to  capture  as  a  souvenir,  but  everything  was  so  filthy  I 
feared  to  touch  it.  I  could  find  nothing  till,  walking  by  the  corner  nearest  the 
basement  door,  I  saw  a  key  lying  upon  the  ground.  I  picked  it  up.  It  was  not 
rusty,  but  bright  as  if  in  use.  I  went  back  to  the  door  and  found  the  key  would 
lock  and  unlock  it  readily.  I  said,  "This  is  the  key  to  Libby  prison,"  and 
believing  it  such,  I  kept  it  and  have  it  now.  I  have  no  doubt  about  its  being  the 
one  the  rebels  used.  I  next  pushed  on  to  the  capitol  building,  where  I  found  the 
brigade  headquarters  and  soldiers,  many.  I  then  went  to  Jeff.  Davis's  house. 
These  premises  were  crowded.  I  saw  the  table,  chairs,  demijohn,  decanter, 
and  glasses  as  last  used  by  that  traitor  before  he  evacuated.  A  guard  was  soon 
put  on,  and  all  the  soldiers,  and  officers  as  well,  were  now  called  to  put  out  the 
fire.  We  all  responded  readily,  though  some  less  willingly,  and  after  a  hard 
struggle  succeeded  in  stopping  the  fast  devouring  flames ;  and  so  the  Yankee 
army  saved  from  ashes  the  homes  and  property  of  the  great  city  that  the  rebels 
themselves  had  tried  to  destroy.  The  citizens  acknowledged  this,  and  were  very 
thankful  for  it. 

Let  this  be  recorded  as  a  matter  of  history  that  the  "northern  vandals,"  as 
they  had  called  us,  proved  more  merciful  to  them  than  their  own  soldiers. 

Capt.  Hosea  Q,.  Sargent  who,  though  wearing  the  same  insignia  of 
rank  as  Captain  Kelley,  was  really  second  in  command  of  the  brigade 
picket  line  by  date  of  commission,  and  who,  as  above  stated  in  the 
extract  from  the  city  daily,  commanded  the  left  wing  of  that  line,  in  con 
firmation  of  the  claim  of  Captain  Kelley  and  the  statement  of  the  editor, 
says : 

We  arrived  in  the  city  of  Richmond  about  8  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  April 
3,  thoroughly  exhausted,  yet  our  hearts  beat  high  with  exultation  and  triumph. 
I  am  certain  that  the  part  of  the  picket  line  of  which  I  was  in  command  was  the 
first  infantry  in  the  city,  and  the  first  troops  of  any  kind,  except  a  squad  of  the 
Fourth  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  to  whom  the  mayor  and  council  surrendered 
about  thirty  minutes  before  we  reached  the  place. 

Corporal  Newell  Davidson,  of  Company  G,  was  one  of  the  fleet-footed 
racers  from  the  Twelfth  who  were  on  the  picket  line  on  the  night  of  the 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  287 

2d,  and  he  is  still  living  at  Plymouth,  N.  H.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
to  mount  the  enemy's  works,  and  as  soon  as  he  found  that  there  was  a 
better  chance  for  a  race  than  a  fight,  he  stripped  himself  of  everything 
above  his  feet  but  his  shirt  and  pants,  and  being  almost  as  swift  as  a 
deer,  soon  outran  all  the  rest,  and  found  himself  alone,  so  far  as  his 
comrades  were  concerned,  among  the  citizens  of  Richmond. 

Learning  from  other  members  of  his  company  that  he  was,  as  they 
believed,  the  first  man  of  the  picket  line  to  reach  the  city,  he  was  written 
to  by  the  author,  and  here  is  his  reply  : 

I  believe  I  was  the  first  live  man,  wearing  the  blue,  to  enter  Richmond  on  the 
morning  of  its  capture,  but  of  course  I  cannot  prove  it.  If  I  am  correct,  and 
there  are  some  still  living  —  Sergeant  Clarke  for  one  —  who  will  testify  in  my 
favor,  then  was  the  "Old  Twelfth"  represented  there  ahead  of  any  other  regi 
ment.  I  ran  all  the  way  to  get  there  ahead  of  the  rest,  and  I  could  run  some  at 
that  time.  I  went  up  Main  street  all  alone,  but  citizens,  black  and  white,  were 
on  the  street,  with  now  and  then  one  in  rebel  uniform,  but  unarmed  so  far  as  I 
saw.  I  began  to  wish  that  some  of  my  comrades  were  with  me,  for  I  did  not 
feel  quite  safe ;  but  every  one  seemed  to  be  too  busy  caring  for  his  own  or 
plundering  from  some  one  else  to  take  much  notice  of  me.  The  city  was  on  fire 
in  several  places,  and  from  this  cause,  and  the  expectation  that  our  army  was 
coming,  the  whole  population  seemed  wild  with  excitement.  I  got  a  little  boy 
to  show  me  Jeff".  Davis's  house,  and  I  think  I  was  the  first  Union  soldier  to  enter 
it.  Jeff",  himself  had  skipped,  but  some  of  his  servants  remained.  He  had 
evidently  left  in  a  hurry.  I  then  went  to  the  State  Capitol  building.  There  were 
none  of  our  colors  flying  there  then,  or  anywhere  else  in  Richmond,  that  I 
remember  of  seeing,  and  I  should  remember  it  if  there  had  been.  Among  other 
incidents  that  come  back  to  my  memory  is  this : 

There  was  a  young  girl  at  the  state  house  square,  standing  guard  over  her 
uncle's  goods  that  they  were  bringing  from  his  house,  near  the  fire.  She  told  me 
that  she  came  from  New  York  to  visit  her  uncle,  and  the  war  breaking  out  she 
could  not  get  back  home.  She  gave  me  two  or  three  presents  for  remaining 
with  her  for  a  while,  for  she  was  much  frightened,  and  no  wonder,  at  the  scene 
around  her,  and  feared  that  some  of  the  lawless  ones  would  steal  the  goods  left 
in  her  charge. 

Among  the  things  she  gave  me  was  a  canteen  full  of  "  applejack.  "  She  told 
me  not  to  take  any  from  the  old  rebel  residents  as  they  might  put  poison  in  it. 

She  said  that  most  of  the  citizens  were  very  bitter  against  the  northern  soldiers, 
but  there  were  many  who  in  their  hearts  would  welcome  us  into  the  city. 

She  was  young  and  handsome,  and  looked  up  so  wishfully,  when  she  saw 
that  I  was  a  Union  soldier,  that  I  could  not  help  speaking  to  her.  She  said  that 
I  was  the  first  blue-clad  soldier  she  had  seen  that  morning. 

When  I  left,  after  some  of  her  folks  had  joined  her,  she  gave  me  a  box  of  fine 
combs,  a  pack  of  cards,  and  a  gold  ring.  The  ring  I  wore  until  I  broke  it  a  few 
years  ago.  I  only  wish  I  knew  her  name  and  address,  if  living,  for  I  could  then 
prove  what  I  have  written  about  my  being  the  first  Union  soldier  she  had  seen. 

I  was  in  Richmond  a  long  time,  as  it  seemed  to  me,  before  I  saw  a  soldier 
wearing  the  same  uniform  as  myself,  but  I  should  have  been  glad  to  have  met 


288  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

such,  for  I  confess  I  felt  a  little  skittish.  But  I  know  of  course  that  it  could  not 
have  been  much  more  than  half  an  hour  before  the  rest  of  my  picket  line  reached 
the  city,  for  they  came  on  the  "  double-quick"  most  or  all  of  the  way. 

Now,  in  conclusion,  I  want  to  tell  you  what  I  know,  that  the  pickets  of  our 
brigade  —  the  Second  —  were  the  first  to  enter  the  rebel  capital,  any  claim  or 
talk  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  There  are  many  others  beside  myself  who 
still  live  to  back  me  up  in  this  statement,  and  if  there  were  not,  there  would  be 
no  doubt  about  it  in  my  own  mind,  for  I  was  there  in  season  to  see  for  myself,  and 
"  knoiv  •whereof  I  affirm ." 

In  addition  to  what  has  already  been  written  about  the  capture  and 
occupation  of  Richmond  by  the  Union  forces,  the  account  given  by 
Thomas  Thatcher  Graves,  then  aide  to  General  Weitzel,  and  previously 
referred  to  in  this  chapter,  is  in  part  quoted  here,  as  better  worth  the  time 
and  attention  of  the  readers  than  any  effort  of  the  author,  concerning  the 
interesting  subjects  of  which  he  writes. 

After  referring  to  the  position  and  extent  of  the  line  held  by  the  Army 
of  the  James  in  the  spring  of  1865,  and  its  early  start  for  Richmond  on 
the  morning  of  April  3,  he  continues  : 

As  we  approached  the  line  of  defenses  we  saw  in  the  distance  divisions  of  our 
troops,  many  of  them  upon  the  "•double-quick,"  aiming  to  be  the  first  in  the  city  ; 
a  white  and  a  colored  division  were  having  a  regular  race,  the  white  troops 
on  the  turnpike,  and  the  colored  in  the  fields.  As  we  neared  the  city  the 
fires  seemed  to  increase  in  number  and  size,  and  at  intervals  loud  explosions 
were  heard.  On  entering  we  found  Capitol  Square  covered  with  people  who 
had  fled  there  to  escape  the  fire,  and  who  were  utterly  worn  out  with  fatigue  and 
fright.  Details  were  at  once  made  to  scour  the  city  and  press  into  the  service  every 
able-bodied  man,  white  or  black,  and  make  them  assist  in  extinguishing  the  flames. 
General  Deven's  division  marched  into  the  city,  stacked  arms  and  went  to  work. 
Parson's  engineer  company  assisted  by  blowing  up  houses  to  check  the  advance 
of  the  flames,  as  about  every  engine  was  destroyed  or  rendered  useless  by  the 
mob.  In  this  manner  the  fire  was  extinguished,  and  perfect  order  restored  in  an 
incredibly  short  time  after  we  occupied  the  city. 

There  was  absolutely  no  plundering  upon  the  part  of  our  soldiers.  Orders 
were  issued  forbidding  anything  to  be  taken  without  remuneration,  and  no  com 
plaints  were  made  of  any  infringement  of  these  orders. 

Gen.  G.  F.  Shepley  was  placed  on  duty  as  military  governor.  He  had 
occupied  a  similar  position  in  New  Orleans,  after  its  capture  in  1862,  and  was 
eminently  fitted  for  it  by  education  and  experience. 

As  we  entered  the  suburbs  the  General  ordered  me  to  take  half  a  dozen 
cavalrymen  and  go  to  Libbv  prison,  for  our  thoughts  were  upon  the  wretched 
men  wrhom  we  supposed  were  still  confined  within  its  walls.  It  was  very  early 
in  the  morning,  and  we  were  the  first  Union  troops  to  arrive  before  Libby.  Not 
a  guard,  not  an  inmate  remained ;  the  doors  were  wide  open,  and  only  a  few 
negroes  greeted  us  with,  "  Dey  's  all  done  gone,  marsa  !  " 

The  next  day  after  our  entry  into  the  city,  on  passing  out  from  Clay  street,  from 
Jefferson  Davis's  house,  I  saw  a  crowd  coming  along,  headed  by  President 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  289 

Lincoln,  who  was  walking  with  his  usual  long  careless  stride,  looking  about 
with  an  interested  air  and  taking  in  everything.  Upon  my  saluting,  he  said  : 
"  Is  it  far  to  President  Davis's  house?  "  I  accompanied  him  to  the  house  which 
was  occupied  by  General  Weitxel  as  his  headquarters.  The  President  had 
arrived  at  about  9  o'clock  at  the  landing  called  "  Rocketts "  upon  Admiral 
Porter's  flagship,  the  "Malvern,"  and  as  soon  as  the  boat  was  made  fast,  without 
ceremony,  he  walked  ashore  and  started  off  up  town.  As  soon  as  Admiral 
Porter  was  informed  of  it,  he  ordered  a  guard  of  marines  to  follow  as  escort ;  but 
in  the  walk  of  about  two  miles  they  never  saw  him,  and  he  was  directed  by 
negroes. 

At  the  Davis  house  he  was  shown  into  the  reception  room,  with  the  remark  that 
the  housekeeper  had  said  that  that  room  was  President  Davis's  office.  As  he 
seated  himself  he  said:  "This  must  have  been  President  Davis's  chair,"  and, 
crossing  his  legs,  he  looked  far  off  with  a  serious,  dreamy  expression.  At 
length  he  asked  me  -if  the  housekeeper  was  in  the  house.  Upon  learning  that 
she  had  left,  he  jumped  up  and  said  in  a  boyish  manner:  "  Come,  let  us  look  at 
the  house."  We  went  pretty  much  all  over  it.  I  retailed  all  that  the  house 
keeper  had  told  me,  and  he  seemed  interested  in  everything.  As  we  came  down 
the  staircase,  General  Weitzel  came  in  breathless  haste,  and  at  once  President 
Lincoln's  face  lost  its  boyish  expression,  as  he  recalled  that  duty  must  be 
resumed.  Soon  afterwards  Judge  Campbell,  General  Anderson  (Confederates), 
and  others  called  and  asked  for  an  interview  with  the  President.  It  was  granted, 
and  took  place  in  the  parlor,  with  closed  doors.  I  accompanied  President 
Lincoln  and  General  Weitzel  to  Libby  prison  and  Castle  Thunder,  and  heard 
General  Wreitzel  ask  the  President  what  he  (General  Weitzel)  should  do  in 
regard  to  the  conquered  people.  President  Lincoln  replied  that  he  did  not  wish 
to  give  any  orders  on  that  subject,  but,  as  he  expressed  it,  "  If  I  were  in  your 
place  I'd  let  'em  up  easy,  let  'em  up  easy." 

A  few  days  after  our  entry  General  Lee  surrendered,  and  early  one  morning 
we  learned  that  he  had  just  arrived  at  his  house  in  the  city.  General  Weitzel 
called  me  into  a  private  room,  and  taking  out  a  large,  well  filled  pocket-book, 
said:  "Go  to  General  Lee's  house,  find  Fitzhugh  Lee  and  say  to  him  that  his 
old  West  Point  chum,  Godfrev  Weitzel,  wishes  to  know  if  he  needs  any 
thing,  and  urges  him  to  take  what  he  may  need  from  that  pocket-book."  Upon 
reaching  General  Lee's  house  I  knocked,  and  Gen.  Fitzhugh  Lee  came  to  the 
door.  He  was  dressed  in  a  Confederate  uniform.  Upon  my  introducing  my 
self,  he  asked  me  in,  showing  me  into  a  parlor  with  double  or  folding  doors, 
explaining  that  the  servants  had  not  vet  returned.  He  was  so  overcome  bv 
\\  citzel's  message  that  for  a  moment  he  was  obliged  to  walk  to  the  other  end  of 
the  room.  He  excused  himself,  and  passed  into  an  inner  room,  where  I  noticed 
Gen.  Robert  E.  Lee  sitting  with  a  tired,  worn  expression  upon  his  face. 
Fitzhugh  Lee  knelt  beside  his  General,  as  he  sat  leaning  over,  and  placed  a  hand 
upon  his  knee.  After  a  few  moments  he  came  back,  and  in  a  most  dignified 
and  courteous  manner  sent  his  love  to  General  Weitzel,  and  assured  him  that  he 
did  not  require  any  loan  of  money,  but,  if  it  would  be  entirely  proper  for  General 
Weitzel  to  issue  a  pass  for  some  ladies  of  General  Lee's  household  to  return  to 
the  city,  it  would  be  esteemed  a  favor ;  but  he  impressed  me  to  state,  that  if  this 
would  embarrass  his  friend  in  any  way,  on  no  account  would  they  request  the 

19 


290  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

favor.      It  is  needless  to  state  that  the  ladies  were  back  in  the  house  as  soon  as 
possible. 

As  bearing  close  relation  to  the  last  part  of  the  foregoing,  a  foot-note 
thereto  will  be  given  : 

As  one  of  our  aides  was  riding  through  the  streets,  engaged  in  gathering  to 
gether  the  able-bodied  men  to  assist  in  extinguishing  the  fire,  he  was  hailed  by  a 
servant  in  front  of  a  house  towards  which  the  fire  seemed  to  be  moving.  The 
servant  told  him  that  his  mistress  wished  to  speak  with  him.  He  dismounted 
and  entered  the  house,  and  was  met  by  a  lady  who  stated  that  her  mother  was  an 
invalid,  confined  to  her  bed,  and  as  the  fire  seemed  to  be  approaching,  she  asked 
for  assistance.  Subsequent  conversation  developed  the  fact  that  the  invalid  was 
no  other  than  the  wife  of  Gen.  R.  E.  Lee,  and  the  lady  who  addressed  the  aide, 
was  her  daughter,  Miss  Lee.  An  ambulance  was  furnished  by  Col.  E.  H. 
Ripley,  of  the  Ninth  Vermont,  and  a  corporal  and  two  men  guarded  them  until 
all  danger  was  over. 

Richmond,  when  captured,  was  a  starving  city,  and  one  of  the  first 
things  that  demanded  the  attention  of  the  military  authority?  after  ex 
tinguishing  the  flames  and  restoring  order,  was  the  feeding  of  the  citi 
zens,  rich  and  poor,  white  and  black.  A  hungry  stomach  is  a  powerful 
pleader,  and  will  have  its  urgent  demand  satisfied,  regardless  of  pride, 
hatred,  anger,  or  prejudice.  And  hence  some  of  the  richest  and 
proudest  of  that  aristocratic  centre  of  southern  chivalry  were  obliged  to 
beg  of  those  whom  they  most  strongly  despised  and  bitterly  hated,  or 
starve. 

It  was  to  them  a  most  distressing  alternative,  and  the  choice  they  were 
obliged  to  make  humiliating  indeed.  For  women,  dressed  in  silks  and 
wearing  costly  jewelry,  to  be  obliged  to  welcome  to  their  homes  Union 
officers,  whom  at  heart  they  really  detested,  that  they  might  procure 
through  them  meat  and  flour  enough  for  the  servants  to  cook  to  feed  both 
themselves  and  their  hated  Yankee  boarders,  was  a  strange  but  not  un 
common  thing. 

Several  officers  of  the  Twelfth  found  board  and  lodging  in  just  such 
families,  but  dreamed  not  of  their  destitution  until  made  known  to  them 
by  painful  necessity.  All  the  male  members  of  such  families,  able  to 
carry  a  sword  or  a  gun,  were  of  course  in  the  rebel  army,  and  the  fear 
of  being  molested,  as  they  claimed,  by  our  soldiers — they  really  had 
much  more  fear  of  their  own  former  slaves  and  plundering  citizens  — 
was  another  reason  for  tolerating  the  pointing  presence  of  our  officers. 

But  many  of  these  southern  born  and  bred  ladies  soon  found  that  not 
all  of  the  Yankees  were  thieves  and  villians,  but  that  some  of  them,  at 
least,  were  as  kind  as  they  were  keen,  and  not  entirely  void  of  good 
manners.  Many  individual  illustrations  of  this  might  here  be  given,  and 
as  many  Richmond  ladies,  if  living,  would  willingly  testify  thereto. 

So  deeply  bitter  was  the  hatred  of  some  of  these  boarding  mistresses 
toward  the  northern  soldiers  that  fears  were  entertained  and  expressed 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  291 

that  they  might  poison  them,  but  no  such  a  suspicion  was  ever  realized, 
and  it  is  but  giving  such  charity  as  we  would  receive  to  say,  that  if  such 
a  thing  was  ever  seriously  thought  of,  something  more  Christian-like  than 
fear  prompted  a  restraining  influence. 

One  of  the  chief  objects  of  interest  to  the  northern  soldier,  to  be  found 
in  Richmond,  was  Libby  prison.  As  understood  by  the  writer,  its  doors 
were  first  opened  by  the  company  of  the  Fourth  Massachusetts  Cavalry, 
who  have  the  honor  of  being  the  first  Federal  troops  to  enter  the  city. 

If  it  was  a  day  of  joy  and  gladness  to  the  deliverers,  how  much  more  so 
it  must  have  been  to  the  delivered.  From  filth,  starvation,  torture,  and 
death  to  step,  all  unexpectedly,  into  the  pure,  free  air  of  unrestricted 
freedom,  and  that,  too,  by  the  final  success  of  the  great  cause  for  which,  on 
the  field  and  in  prison,  they  had  so  long  fought  and  suffered,  was  such  a 
glorv  of  gladness  as  seldom  fills  the  heart  of  suffering  humanity.  It 
must  have  come  to  them  like  an  angel's  visit  in  a  heavenly  vision. 

Quite  an  excavation  was  found  under  the  building,  which  led  some  to 
believe  that  the  report  of  its  being  mined,  and  all  ready  to  blow  up  at  one 
time  during  the  war,  when  the  rescue  of  its  inmates  was  strongly 
threatened  by  Sheridan's  cavalry,  was  probably  true. 

But  however  it  may  have  been  as  a  matter  of  fact,  there  is  no  denying 
that  the  cruel  and  inhuman  treatment  of  our  soldiers  in  this  and  other 
southern  prisons  fully  justified  one  in  believing  the  report. 

But  while  we  execrate  the  Confederate  authorities  for  their  barbarous 
and  heartless  treatment  of  the  unfortunate  inmates  of  Libby,  Raleigh, 
Salisbury,  and  Andersonville,  let  it  not  be  forgotten  that  our  own  govern 
ment,  acting  under  the  wish  and  advice  of  General  Grant,  who  strongly 
disfavored  an  exchange  of  prisoners,  is  far  from  being  blameless. 

Truth,  plain  and  unvarnished,  here  leaves  a  record  of  history  that 
every  manly-hearted  American  must  read  in  sorrow  and  in  shame  ;  for 
he  \vho  suffers  wrong,  having  both  the  privilege  and  the  power  to  avoid 
the  same,  is  nearly,  if  not  quite,  as  guilty  as  he  who  perpetrates  it. 

Prompted  more,  as  it  seems,  by  measures  of  policy  than  feelings  of 
humanity,  the  Confederate  government  made  strong  and  persistent  efforts 
during  the  last  of  the  war  to  effect  an  exchange  of  prisoners  ;  and  the 
Federal  authorities,  only  too  well  knowing  the  terrible  suffering  of  their 
own  soldiers  confined  in  the  death-pens  of  the  South,  acting  upon  the 
same  principle,  or  rather  want  of  principle,  as  the  rebels,  refused  with 
equal  persistency  to  consent  to  any  exchange. 

The  South  wanted  just  what  the  exchange  would  have  given  them  — 
more  of  their  own  men  to  fight  and  less  of  ours  to  feed ;  while  the  North, 
looking  at  it  as  a  bad  trade,  was  content  with  just  the  reverse. 

As  a  last  appeal,  a  delegation  from  the  prisoners  at  Andersonville  was 
sent  to  plead  their  cause  before  the  authorities  at  Washington.  But  this 
even  proved  of  no  avail. 

It  is  said  that  President  Lincoln  refused  to  see  them,  but  it  is  much 


292  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

more  probable  that  they  were  not  allowed  the  privilege  of  seeing  him  by 
those  of  authority  who  stood  between  ;  for  he  was  not  the  man  to  close 
his  ears  to  the  cries  of  mercy  and  pity,  especially  when  heard  from  those 
waiting  at  his  own  threshold. 

Grant  and  Stanton  by  their  obstinate  refusal  to  make  or  allow  any  ex 
change  of  prisoners  assumed  "  a  fearful  responsibility  for  the  many 
thousands  of  lives  thus  sacrificed  by  the  most  cruel  forms  of  death  from 
cold,  starvation,  and  pestilence  in  the  prison  pens  of  Raleigh  and  Ander- 
sonville,  being  more  than  all  the  British  soldiers  killed  in  the  wars  of 
Napoleon."  * 

They  may  have  been  honestly  patriotic  in  taking  the  course  they  did, 
but  a  short  personal  experience  in  Andersonville  would  soon  have  re 
vealed  things  to  them  in  a  far  different  light. 

Though  the  doors  of  Libby  prison  swung  quickly  open  for  the  egress 
of  its  inmates  then  and  there  confined,  they  were  very  soon  closed  again, 
but  upon  men  who  wore  the  gray  instead  of  the  blue. 

And  some  who  had  jeered,  insulted,  and  threatened  the  Union  soldiers 
imprisoned  there,  had  their  tables  so  completely  overturned  as  to  find 
themselves  in  the  same  brick  box.  And  one  day,  after  this  sudden  ex 
change,  while  some  of  the  Twelfth  boys  were  on  duty  near  by,  there 
came  along  a  member  of  another  regiment,  who,  as  he  said,  had  lost  a 
brother  from  starvation  within  its  walls.  No  one  who  heard  ever  could 
forget  the  mad  torrent  of  accusation  and  malediction  that  he  poured  upon 
those  now  obliged  to  listen  behind  the  same  grates  that  had  confined  his 
brother.  The  longer  he  talked  the  madder  he  grew,  until  his  threats  of 
vengeance  he  apparently  intended  to,  and  doubtlessly  would,  have  exe 
cuted  with  the  musket  that  he  had  with  him,  as  some  thought,  for  that 
very  purpose,  had  not  others  interfered  and  succeeded  at  last  in  persuad 
ing  him  to  desist  and  go  away. 

Veterans  of  the  Twelfth  will  also  remember  the  large  bloodhound, 
"  Nero,"  that  had  been  kept  at  the  prison,  and  that  was  too  brave  to 
imitate  the  example  of  many  of  the  citizens  and  run  away  at  the  approach 
of  the  Yankees. 

This  dog  is  supposed  to  be  the  same  that  confronted  Thompson  and 
Bacheler  on  the  night  of  their  escape  as  related  in  a  subsequent  chapter. 

After  the  war  he  was  taken  north  and  exhibited  in  some  of  our  large 
cities. 

Reference  to  this  reminds  the  writer  of  another  dog,  but  of  Union  pro 
clivities,  that  belonging  to  or  staying  with  one  of  the  regiments  of  the 
Second  Brigade,  was  on  the  picket  line  the  morning  of  the  capture  of 
Richmond,  and  was  blown  to  pieces  by  a  torpedo  when  going  over  the 
enemy's  works.  He  did  not  know  the  meaning  of  the  little  red  flags,  or 
strips  of  red  cloth,  that  had  been  stuck  up  by  those  who  planted  the  tor 
pedoes  for  their  own  safety,  and  forgot  in  their  hasty  retreat  to  pull  them 
down  :  nor  did  he  any  better  understand  the  warning  words  of  his  human 

*  General  Butler's  report  before  the  Congressional  Committee. 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  293 

companions  as  they  shouted  to  each  other  :  Look  out  for  the  torpedoes 
there!  Be  careful  how  you  step,  and  keep  azvay  from  the  little  red  fags! 

The  same  torpedo  whose  explosion  killed  the  dog  is  said  to  have 
wounded  a  man  in  the  Fifth  Maryland  Regiment,  and  that  was  all  the 
damage  done  by  the  many  torpedoes  around  and  between  which  the  men 
quickly  and  safely  picked  their  way  on  their  first  trip  to  Richmond. 

As  soon  as  the  excitement  and  enthusiasm  of  taking  the  rebel  citadel 
had  subsided  a  little,  the  soldiers  became  greatly  interested  in  what  Grant 
and  his  corps  commanders  were  doing  to  cut  off  Lee's  retreat.  There 
were  fears  that  what  was  left  of  the  rebel  kt  Army  of  Northern  Virginia," 
would  elude  the  pursuit  of  our  forces,  and,  escaping  into  some  mountain 
region  of  the  south,  might  be  able  with  the  assistance  of  Johnson's  army, 
to  prolong  the  \var  into  a  full  realization  of  what  was  Lee's  only  hope  and 
Grant's  only  fear. 

And  so,  when  on  the  evening  of  the  9th  the  joyful  news  came  to  the 
troops  in  Richmond  that  Lee's  whole  army  were  prisoners  of  war,  and 
that  tk  Unconditional  Surrender"  Grant  was  boss  of  not  only  the  situation, 
but  the  whole  rebel  crew  who  had  stacked  arms  for  the  last  time  at  Ap- 
pomattox,  all  were  wild  with  delight.  They  knew  that  the  surrender  of 
Lee  vvas  the  end  of  the  Rebellion,  and  that  they  would  soon  be  allowed 
to  go  home,  for  their  work  was  accomplished. 

Of  course  the  great  loyal  heart  of  the  North  leaped  with  joy  at  the 
bright  cheering  prospect  of  peace,  and  even  the  small  minority  of  the 
people  in  the  northern  states  who  sympathized  with  the  rebels,  and  had  been 
known  as  "  copperheads,"  were  not  ashamed,  as  they  should  have  been, 
to  make  pretentions  of  gladness. 

But  most  joyful  of  all  were  the  mothers,  wives,  and  sisters  of  the  vet 
eran  heroes  who  still  lived,  and  for  whose  speedy  and  safe  return  they 
now  had  so  much  reason  to  confidently  hope. 

To  such  it  was  like  the  sun,  long  obscured  by  the  destructive  and 
threatening  storm,  bursting  into  its  full  effulgence  from  a  clear  sky  to 
gladden  the  heart  of  the  tempest-tossed  mariner  ;  but  for  those  whose  dear 
ones  were  sleeping  in  soldiers'  graves,  and  those  perhaps  unmarked  and 
unknown,  it  was  like  the  moon's  pale  beams  struggling  through  the 
broken  fragments  of  the  black  cloud  whose  lightnings  had  struck  down 
their  dearest  ones  of  earth. 

Victory  at  last,  and  the  flag  of  our  fathers  triumphant  over  Secession 
and  Rebellion,  but  at  what  a  frightful  cost!  Thousands  of  millions  of 
that  which  may  be  estimated  upon  the  Governmental  ledger,  and  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  lives,  priceless  and  inestimable  ! 

Four  years  of  such  carnage  and  sacrifice  can  nowhere  else  be  found 
on  the  calendar  of  time,  and  yet  nearly  nineteen  hundred  years  have 
rolled  away  since  the  "  Lamb  of  Love  and  Peace"  was  slain  as  an  atone 
ment  for  the  sins  of  the  world,  and  America  the  most  enlightened  and 
christianized  nation  on  the  face  of  the  earth.  Oh  !  what  a  picture  for  the 
Christian  philosopher  to  look  upon  is  this  ! 


CHAPTER  xv. 

MANCHESTER  AND  DANVILLE. 

The  regiment  remained  in  Richmond,  doing  provost  and  guard  duty, 
until  the  I4th,  when  it  moved  across  the  river  into  Manchester,  a  smaller 
city  on  the  southern  side  of  the  James,  which  separates  it  from  Richmond. 
And  as  the  men,  save  those  on  guard,  slept  soundly  in  their  new  encamp 
ment  in  the  suburbs,  who  among  them  dreamed  of  the  terrible  tragedy 
being  enacted  in  Washington?  And  who  of  them,  and  all  the  soldiers 
who  had  neither  seen,  hoped  for,  nor  expected  anything  after  Lee's  sur 
render,  but  peace  and  safety  for  the  nation,  awoke  the  next  morning  to  a 
consciousness  of  the  sad  and  solemn  fact  that  President  Lincoln  was  dead, 
or  was  just  breathing  his  last?  Yet,  before  8  o'clock,  the  lightning  had 
flashed  the  awe-inspiring  news  to  the  four  corners  of  the  globe,  and  all 
Christendom  soon  knelt  in  tearful  apprehension  at  the  altar  of  prayer. 

President  Lincoln  dead  !  And  by  the  hand  of  an  assassin  !  !  No  won 
der  the  civilized  w^orld  stood  aghast ;  that  Christian  Freedom  in  tearful 
silence  wept ;  nor  that  Liberty  sat  pale  and  trembling  on  her  mountain 
throne  ! 

Just  as  the  Nation  breathed  and  smiled  in  its  new  birth,  he,  who  had 
been  chief  to  encourage,  support,  and  protect,  and  without  whose  strong, 
yet  gentle  hand,  the  old  had  perished  before  the  new  was  brought  forth, 
was  struck  down  by  the  revengeful  dagger  of  the  same  power  that  had  so 
long  sought,  and  so  nearly  destroyed,  the  life  of  the  Nation  itself.  It  is 
not  strange,  therefore,  that  fearful  foreboding  for  a  time  filled  the  public 
heart. 

General  Meade  received  the  astounding  intelligence  from  General 
Grant,  then  in  Washington,  early  on  the  morning  of  the  i5th  ;  but  so 
fearful  were  both  of  its  effect  upon  the  army,  that  it  was  given  out  by 
piecemeal,  and  the  whole  truth  was  not  known,  even  to  some  of  the  staff' 
officers,  until  two  or  three  days  afterward.  Captain  Prescott,  then  aide- 
de-camp  to  General  Weitzel,  in  referring  to  this,  says  : 

If  that  army  had  been  told  the  whole  story  at  once,  not  a  stone  in  all  Virginia 
would  have  been  left  unturned.  So  the  powers  judged  wisely  that  kept  the  news 
back ;  but  it  was  humiliating  to  the  soldiers  to  think  that  they  had  been  deceived 
from  fear  of  their  commanders  that  they  could  not  be  trusted. 

But  though  a  Moses  had  fallen,  and  like  his  great  prototype  within 
sight  of  the  promised  greatness  of  his  people,  there  were  many  Joshuas 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers,.  295 

left ;  for  God  in  his  wisdom  had  decreed  what  Lincoln  himself,  standing 
amid  the  graves  of  patriot  heroes  upon  Gettysburg  heights,  had  asked  his 
countrymen  to  highly  resolve,  "That  this  nation  of  the  people,  by  the 
people,  and  for  the  people,  shall  not  perish  from  the  earth." 

And  true  it  was,  as  spoken  at  the  time,  by  one  of  those  Joshuas  whose 
similar  death,  a  few  years  later,  caused  the  whole  land  to  be  again  draped 
in  mourning,  "  God  reigns,  and  the  Government  at  Washington  still 
lives!"  For  the  Nation,  though  long  bleeding  from  almost  every  vein, 
was  still  strong  enough  to  survive  the  loss  of  still  more  of  its  vital  fluid, 
though  it  came  from  the  sinking  heart  of  her  greatest  benefactor;  for  he 
had  already  led  her  through  the  crisis  of  her  peril,  and  nobly  earned  the 
exalted  title  that  posterity  will  freely  accord  to  him,  —  the  Savior  of  his 
Country.  Abraham  Lincoln,  — 

"  One  of  the  few,  the  immortal  names, 
That  were  not  born  to  die," 

and  highest  among  them  all,  save  only  Washington,  on  Freedom's  monu 
mental  adamant  of  imperishable  fame  —  how  weak  the  power  of  words  to 
do  justice  to  thy  memory  !  Even  should  the  light  of  the  nineteenth  cen 
tury  be  put  out,  and  the  world  relapse  again  into  barbarism,  yet,  from  out 
the  dark  night  of  the  ages,  thy  dimless  star  would  shine  as  a  bright  cyno 
sure  to  all  those  who  might  still  hope  for  the  final  emancipation  and  re 
demption  of  mankind. 

It  may  not  be  known,  even  to  some  of  the  surviving  members  of  the 
regiment,  that  one  of  their  number  was  present  at  Ford's  theatre  on  the 
night  of  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln,  and  was  the  first  man  to 
reach,  and  the  second  one  to  enter,  the  President's  box,  after  the  fatal 
shot  was  fired.  Yet  such  seems  to  be  the  fact,  and  the  full  particulars,  as 
received  by  the  writer  from  the  lips  of  Captain  Bedee  himself —  for  he  is 
the  one  referred  to  —  are  substantially  as  the  reader  will  find  them  here 
related. 

Major  Bedee,  then  captain,  was  at  that  time  in  Washington  on  special 
leave,  and  was  one  of  the  many  hundreds  who  attended  the  theatre,  as 
above  stated,  on  that  woeful  night  of  April  14,  1865.  He  had  procured 
a  seat  in  the  second  row  on  the  left,  back  of  the  orchestra,  where  he  had 
a  full  view  of  the  President's  box  and  its  occupants  ;  and,  hearing  the  re 
port  of  a  pistol,  his  quick  eye  caught  sight  of  Booth,  as  he  leaped  from 
the  box  upon  the  stage.  In  an  instant  the  terrible  truth  flashed  through 
his  mind.  His  first  impulse  was  to  make  a  rush  for  the  stage,  as  soon  as 
the  murderer  struck  it.  But,  waiting  until  the  tragic  words  and  action 
there  confirmed  his  suspicions,  he  jumped  from  his  chair  over  the  row  of 
seats  in  front  of  him,  and  with  a  rush  and  a  bound  was  past  the  orchestra 
and  over  the  footlights,  before  the  assassin  had  hardly  disappeared  behind 
the  scenes. 

Following  him  across  the  stage  and  to  the  rear  of  the  same  until  he  heard 


296  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

some  one  beyond  cry  out,  "They've  got  him!"  (which  he  has  always  be 
lieved  was  done  by  some  one  of  the  actors  or  an  accomplice  to  stop  pursuit) 
he  immediately  returned  to  the  front  of  the  sta^e  beneath  the  President's 

*/  O 

box,  —  Mrs.  Lincoln  then  screaming,  "  My  husband  is  shot!"  and  others 
calling  for  a  doctor —  and  was  just  mounting  the  railing  of  the  stage  box 
to  climb  into  the  President's  above,  when  a  person  claiming  to  be  a  physi 
cian  rushed  up,  and,  with  the  assistance  of  Captain  Bedee  and  two  or 
three  others  who  had  followed  him  up,  was  lifted  into  the  box,  closely 
followed  by  Bedee  who,  but  for  stopping  midw-ay  to  assist  the  doctor, 
would  have  been  the  first  man  from  the  outside  to  enter  the  President's 
box,  the  door  at  the  rear,  leading  to  the  dress  circle  through  which  Booth 
had  entered,  being  locked  by  him,  as  supposed,  before  he  leaped  upon 
the  stage,  as  the  key  was  found  afterward  upon  the  floor. 

There  were  no  others  who  entered  by  climbing  up  in  front,  but  soon  the 
door  to  the  box  was  broken  in  and  several  others  entered,  and  among 
them  another  physician. 

When  Captain  Bedee  and  the  physician  entered  the  box,  the  President 
was  reclining  in  his  chair,  with  his  head  far  back,  much  as  if  he  were 
asleep.  The  doctor  immediately  commenced  searching  for  the  wound, 
stripping  back  the  President's  coat  and  unbuttoning  his  vest  for  that  pur 
pose.  Nothing  could  be  seen  of  any  blood  or  any  place  where  the  bullet 
had  entered  the  head  or  body.  While  the  doctor  was  thus  searching 
vainly  for  the  wound,  Captain  Bedee,  who  was  at  the  same  time  support 
ing  the  President's  head,  felt  something  warm  trickling  into  his  hand,  and 
quickly  guessing  the  cause,  exclaimed  :  "  Here  is  the  wound,  doctor,"  at 
the  same  instant  that  he  put  one  of  his  fingers  into  the  hole  in  the  back 
part  of  the  head  where  the  ball  had  entered,  and  from  which  the  precious 
blood  of  the  great  martyr  had  just  commenced  to  ooze  out. 

In  pulling  back  the  President's  coat  to  find  where  he  was  hit,  some 
papers  fell  from  one  of  the  pockets,  and  Mrs.  Lincoln,  who,  under  the 
circumstances,  was  remarkably  calm  and  self-possessed,  seeing  the  papers 
fall  upon  the  floor,  picked  them  up  and  handed  them,  with  others  about 
to  fall  from  the  same  pocket,  to  Captain  Bedee,  saying  to  him  as  she  did 
so,  "You  are  an  officer,  and  won't  you  take  charge  of  these  papers?" 

The  captain  took  the  papers  as  requested,  putting  them  carefully  into 
his  own  pocket. 

He  next  assisted  in  removing  the  unconscious  President  from  the  the 
ater  and  conveying  him  across  the  street  into  the  house,  where  he  died 
at  7.20  the  next  morning. 

Captain  Bedee  remained  in  the  room  with  the  dying  great  and  good  man, 
while  Vice-President  Johnson,  Secretaries  Stanton  and  Chase,  Senator 
Sumner,  and  several  others  arrived,  and  until  between  2  and  3  o'clock  in 
the  morning.  He  then,  at  the  request  of  Stanton,  went  to  the  War  De 
partment  to  carry  some  message  for  the  secretary,  and  thence  with  orders 
to  the  officer  in  command  at  Chain  Bridge  in  relation  to  preventing  the 
escape  of  the  assassin  into  Virginia. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  297 

Having  executed  his  orders  and  reported  back  to  Stanton,  to  whom  he 
had  delivered  up  the  papers  given  him  by  Mrs.  Lincoln  before  starting, 
he  received  from  the  secretary  thanks  for  all  he  had  done  and  was  told 
that  he  could  then  report  to  his  place  or  post  of  duty. 

The  next  night  found  Captain  Bedee  with  his  regiment  in  Manchester, 
Va.  But  hardly  had  he  so  far  recovered  himself  as  to  think  calmly  upon 
the  tragic  scene  in  which  he  had  taken  so  prominent  a  part,  before  the 
provost  marshal  received  an  order  from  Washington  for  his  arrest. 

When  that  officer  showed  his  order  to  Bedee,  there  was  such  a  forcible 
and  temper-toned  expression  of  indignation  from  the  captain  for  the 
bungling  attempt  to  connect  him,  as  he  then  thought,  in  some  way  with 
the  crime  of  murdering  the  President,  that  the  officer  began  to  strongly 
suspect  that  someone  at  Washington  was  more  guilty  of  a  big  blunder  than 
his  prisoner  was  of  any  crime,  and  so  telegraphed  to  General  Hardie  who 
had  sent  the  order  of  arrest. 

In  a  short  time  came  a  telegram  for  his  release.  But  this  did  not  sat 
isfy  Captain  Bedee,  who  wanted,  as  he  had  a  right  to,  such  an  explana 
tion  as  would  entirely  exonerate  him  from  all  blame  and  remove  from 
the  minds  of  his  comrades  every  suspicion  that  the  order  for  his  arrest 
had  thrown  upon  him. 

The  following  correspondence  will  tell  the  rest  of  the  story  : 

HEAD  QUARTERS  20  BRIG.,  3  Div.,  24  A.  C. 

IN  THE  FIELD,  VA.,  April  26,  1865. 

SIR,  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  on  the  evening  of  the  iSth  an  order 
from  Washington  was  received  by  telegraph  at  Gen'l  Orel's  head  quarters  for 
the  arrest  of  Capt.  Bedee,  i  2th  N.  H.,  to  the  effect  that  Capt.  Bedee  had  failed  to 
deliver  the  President's  papers,  saying:  "  He  will  be  arrested,  the  papers  taken 
from  him,  sealed  and  forwarded  to  Washington." 

By  Order  of 

SECRETARY  OF  WAR, 
(Signed)   JAMES  A.  HARDIE, 

B~ct.  Brig.   General,  etc. 

In  compliance  with  the  above  1  was  arrested  and  remained  under  arrest  until 
the  evening  of  the  2Oth. 

When  arrested  and  taken  before  Gen.  Devens  on  the  morning  of  the  i9th,  I 
stated  to  him  that  I  delivered  the  papers  of  the  late  President  to  your  Honor  on 
the  morning  of  the  President's  death,  April  I5th,  at  the  house  opposite  Ford's 
Theatre,  where  the  President  was  then  lying,  which  you  will  probably  remember 
as  your  Honor  at  the  time  of  my  delivering  said  papers  noted  my  name,  regiment, 
and  corps  upon  the  wrapper  which  you  placed  around  said  papers. 

On  the  evening  of  the  2oth  the  following  telegram  was  received  at  General 

Patrick's  head  quarters : 

U.  S.  MILITARY  TELEGRAPH, 

April  20th,  1865. 
By  telegraph  from  Washington  to  Gen.  Patrick  : 

J  have  seen  the  Secretary  who  now  says  that  Capt.  Bedee  did  give  him  cer- 


298  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

tain  papers.      Major  Hay  was  not  aware  that  the   papers  were  so  disposed  of  by 
Capt.  Bedee. 

Please  release  the  Captain  from  arrest. 

(.Signed)     JAMES  A.  HARDIE, 

Brt.  Brig.    General,  etc. 

Doubting  that  your  Honor  approve,  of  the  public  disgrace  of  an  officer  who 
has  endeavoured  for  the  past  three  years  to  earn  an  honorable  name  in  the  defense 
of  his  country,  I  take  the  liberty  of  laying  this  case  before  you,  hoping  your 
Honor's  sense  of  justice  will  induce  you  to  set  the  matter  right  with  the  command 
with  which  I  am  connected.  I  am  Sir, 

Very  Respectfully, 

Your  Obedient  Servant, 

E.  E.  BEDEE, 

Capt.  i2th  N.  H.    Vs  and 
A.  D.  C.  2d  Brig.,  3d  Di-c.,  24  A.  C. 
To  The  Hon.  E.  M.  STANTON, 

Secretary  of  War,  Washington,  D.  C. 

WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
WASHINGTON  CITY,   May  5,  186=5. 

CAPTAIN, —  On  the  iSth  of  April  last,  word  came  to  me  from  Maj.  John  Hay, 
Assistant  Private  Secretary  to  the  late  President,  that  certain  papers  taken  from 
the  person  of  Mr.  Lincoln  on  the  night  of  his  assassination,  which  had  on  that 
occasion  come  into  your  possession,  had  not  been  delivered  by  you  as  promised  ; 
and,  further,  that  you  could  not  be  found  in  this  city,  and  that  upon  inquiry  it 
was  learned  that  you  had  left  town  for  the  army.  I  then  telegraphed,  believing 
the  matter  required  immediate  action,  to  General  Patrick,  in  the  name  of  the 
Secretary  of  War,  an  order  for  your  arrest,  and  that  the  papers  in  question 
should  be  taken  from  you,  sealed  up,  and  forwarded  to  Washington.  Upon  this 
order  you  were  arrested.  Ascertaining  subsequently  that  you  had  delivered  the 
papers  to  the  Secretary  of  War  upon  the  same  night  on  which  you  became 
possessed  of  them,  I  telegraphed  an.  order  for  your  release,  and  you  were 
released. 

In  view  of  your  entirely  honorable  conduct  with  regard  to  the  papers  in 
question,  and  of  the  mortifying  position  in  which  you  were  placed  by  the  accu 
sation  and  the  arrest,  I  desire  to  express  my  serious  regret  at  my  action  ;  and 
cheerfully  make  you  the  reparation  of  a  full  and  free  acknowledgement  of  my 
mistake,  which  is  conceded  in  the  light  of  my  present  knowledge  of  the  circum 
stances  of  the  case  to  have  been  an  act  of  serious  though  unintentional  injustice 
to  yourself. 

In  conclusion  I  beg  that  you  will  please  make  such  use  of  this  letter  as  may  in 
your  opinion  be  necessary  to  repair  as  far  as  possible  the  evil  occasioned  bv  rny 
action  of  the  iSth  of  April.  I  remain,  captain, 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JAS.  A.   HAKDIE, 
Bvt.  Brig.   Genl.  and  Inspector  Genl.,   U.  S.  A. 


JVeiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  299 

WASHINGTON,   D.   C.,  May  5,  9.20  p.  M. 

CAPT.  E.  E.  BEDEE,   i2tli  N.  H.    Vols.,  2d  Brig.*  jd  Div..  24  Army  Corps, 
Care  of  J\faj.   Gen.  D  evens: 

Your  note  of  April  26  has  just  reached  me,  and  I  hasten  to  reply  by  telegraph. 
The  order  for  your  arrest  issued  by  General  Hardie  was  without  my  knowledge 
or  authority,  and  was  unjust  to  you.  The  papers  found  on  the  person  of  the  late 
President  were  delivered  by  you  to  me  on  the  morning  of  his  death  and  immedi 
ately  sealed  up,  your  name  and  address  endorsed  thereon,  and  placed  by  my 
clerk  in  the  safe  of  the  War  Department  where  they  remained  until  delivered  to 
Judge  Davis  and  opened  in  his  presence. 

When  informed  by  General  Hardie  that  he  had  issued  an  order  for  your  arrest, 
I  immediately  directed  the  order  to  be  revoked,  and  an  acknowledgement  made 
of  the  injustice  done  you.  Your  conduct  in  the  matter  was  in  every  inspect 
becoming  vour  rank  and  personal  character,  and  I  deeply  regret  that  the  hasty 
and  unauthorized  act  of  General  Hardie  should  have  subjected  you  to  a  moment's 
pain  or  reproach.  If  he  had  informed  me  before  using  my  name,  the  error 
could  not  have  happened.  You  are  at  liberty  to  use  this  explanation  in  any  way 
you  may  deem  useful  to  vourself. 

General  Hardie  has  been  directed  to  make  a  proper  acknowledgement  to  you, 
which  he  will  no  doubt  take  pleasure  in  doing,  in  order  to  relieve  you  as  far  as 
possible  from  the  pain  you  have  innocently  suffered. 

EDWIN  M.  STANTON, 

Secrctarv  of  War. 

Thus  was  Major  Bedee  completely  exonerated  from  all  blame  and 
suspicion  which  the  arrest  alone  and  unexplained  might  have  rested  upon 
him  ;  and  the  very  fact  of  General  Hardie's  unauthorized  action  was 
indirectly  the  means  of  establishing,  by  as  high  authority  as  Secretary 
Stanton  himself,  the  truth,  in  the  main,  of  Major  Bedee's  whole  story, 
which  otherwise  might  and  probably  would  have  been  questioned  by 
some  who  do  not  always  judge  others  as  they  would  like  to  be  judged 
themselves. 

It  seems,  from  information  furnished  by  Colonel  Bachelder,  historian 
of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  that  the  names  of  the  two  physicians 
referred  to  by  Major  Bedee  were  Charles  A.  Leale  and  Charles  S.  Taft, 
both  assistant  surgeons  of  United  States  Volunteers,  and  that  the  latter 
claims  to  have  been  the  one  that  was  lifted  into  the  box  from  the  stage. 

His  statement,  however,  does  not  agree  in  some  particulars  with 
Major  Bedee's,  the  doctor  saying  that  when  he  entered  the  box  "  the 
President  was  lying  upon  the  floor  stripped  to  his  shirt,"  while  Bedee  in 
reply  thereto  avers  that  "  Lincoln  was  not  on  the  floor  at  all  ;  neither  was 
his  coat  oft",  but  only  thrown  back."  There  is  also  a  difference  in  their 
statements  in  regard  to  the  time  that  Doctor  Leale  entered  the  box  from 
the  dress  circle. 

But  that  both  of  these  statements  were  made  over  twenty-three  years 
after  the  occurrence  to  which  they  relate,  goes  far  toward  reconciling 
the  discrepancy  between  them,  with  an  honest  intention  of  both. 


300  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

The  regiment  while  in  Manchester  had  little  but  police  and  provost  duty 
to  do  ;  and,  encamped  most  of  the  time  in  a  pleasant  grove,  between  two  and 
three  miles  from  the  business  centre  of  the  city,  there  was  very  little  to 
complain  of  and  much  to  be  thankful  for. 

Rations  and  water  being  good  and  plenty,  with  enough  spare  time  to 
rest  and  care  for  themselves,  the  sick  and  weak  grew  better  and  stronger  ; 
but  more  than  all  else  to  give  to  their  cheeks  the  ruddy  glow  of  health 
was  the  soul-cheering  and  life-inspiring  thought  that  the  war  was  over, 
and  that  they  would  soon  be  at  home. 

There  is  no  medicine  like  a  cheerful  heart,  and  as  Addison  says : 
"  Health  and  cheerfulness  mutually  beget  each  other." 

April  the  ipth  Colonel  Marsh  came  down  from  Washington,  where  he 
had  been  on  detached  duty  ever  since,  recovering  from  his  wound  re 
ceived  at  Chancellorsville,  and  made  a  visit  to  the  regiment.  He  found 
a  few  more  of  the  boys  to  greet  him  than  when  he  last  saw  the  regiment 
in  that  city  on  its  return  from  the  Gettysburg  campaign,  and  in  as  much 
better  spirits  as  they  were  condition,  although  they  were  then  feeling 
much  better  than  they  looked,  for  they  had  just  been  released  from  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac. 

On  the  25th  the  regiment,  with  its  division,  inarched  into  Richmond  to 
receive  the  First  and  Second  divisions  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Corps  on  their 
return  from  the  extreme  left  where  they  had  marched  and  fought  night 
and  day  in  helping  to  capture  Lee's  army  ;  while  the  Third  Division,  to 
which  the  Twelfth  belonged,  was  left  behind  to  capture  Richmond. 

May  6  the  regiment  again  crossed  the  river  into  the  capital  city  to 
receive  the  Second  and  Fifth  Army  Corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac ; 
and  on  the  nth  the  trip  was  repeated  to  exchange  cheers  and  congratula 
tions  with  the  Fourteenth  and  Twentieth  corps  of  Sherman's  army  on 
their  way  to  Washington.  And  for  several  days  there  was  almost  a  con 
stant  tramp  of  different  corps  of  both  armies  into  and  through  Manchester 
and  Richmond,  all  returning  from  fields  of  conquest  and  victory.  Sher 
man's  army  had  "  beat  the  bush,"  while  Grant's  had  "  bagged  the  game." 

On  the  i pth  day  of  May,  by  orders  from  General  Ord,  then  com 
manding  the  Department  of  Virginia,  the  Twelfth  Regiment  proceeded 
by  rail  from  Manchester  to  Danville,  Va.,  a  distance  of  nearly  150  miles. 
It  arrived  at  Danville  late  in  the  evening,  and  the  men  remained  in  the 
cars  until  the  next  morning  when  temporary  quarters  were  found  in  an 
old  tobacco  building  near  the  depot. 

The  same  day  Colonel  Barker  issued  the  following  orders  : 

HEADQUARTERS  U.  S.  FORCES, 
GENERAL  ORDER  No.  i.  DANVILLE,  VA.,  May  20,  1865. 

In  obedience  to  instructions  from  Headquarters,  Department  of  Virginia,  the 
undersigned  hereby  assumes  command  of  Danville,  Va.,  and  vicinity. 

It  is  expected  that  the  inhabitants  will  render  their  willing  and   cheerful  sup- 


IVezt1  Hampshire   Volunteers.  301 

port  to  preserve  order.  Any  act  of  violence  on  the  part  of  any  person  will  be 
promptly  punished.  Officers  and  enlisted  men  of  this  command  will  be  careful 
to  avoid  all  unnecessary  interference  with  the  inhabitants. 

Private  property  will  be  protected ;  and  it  is  hoped  that  the  men  who  have 
exhibited  so  much  bravery  on  the  field  will  readily  recognize  the  necessity  of  pro 
tecting  the  private  rights  of  peaceful  citizens;  and  that  in  the  discharge  of  all 

their  duties  they  will  be  firm  and  courteous. 

THOMAS  h..  BARKER, 

Lieut.   Col.  r2th  N.  H.    Vols.,   Commanding-. 

Here  Colonel  Barker,  with  his  brave  and  trusted  few  (for  the  recruits 
still  remaining  in  the  regiment  had  proved  themselves  worthy  of  confi 
dence),  showed  that  they  could  wisely  rule,  as  well  as  bravely  fight. 
Drill,  trench,  and  picket  duties  were  now  no  longer  required,  and  the 
rigid  rules  of  war  were  so  far  relaxed  that  the  men  felt  almost  like 
citizens  again. 

The  officers  selected  by  Colonel  Barker  for  his  staff,  and  their  official 
positions  will  be  found  in  the  following  roster : 

Roster  of  Staff  Officers  at  Headquarters  U.  S.  Forces,  Danville,  Va., 
under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Thomas  E.  Barker,  Twelfth  New 
Hampshire  Vols. 

Capt.  E.  W.  Ricker,  Act.  Asst.  Adjt.  General. 

Lieut.  A.  W.  Jewett,  Act.  Asst.  Quartermaster. 

Lieut.  G.  E.  Worthen,  Act.  Post  Commissary. 

Asst.  Surgeon  S.  C.  Carbee,  Act.  Post  Surgeon. 

Maj.  Natt.  Shackford,  Act.  Provost  Marhsal. 

Capt.  D.  W.  Bohonon,  Asst.  Provost  Marshal. 

Capt.  E.  W.  Ricker,  Asst.  Provost  Marshal. 

Capt.  A.  St.  Clair  Smith,  Asst.  Provost  Marshal. 

In  the  absence  of  Captain.  Ricker,  when  acting  as  assistant  provost 
marshal  in  Patrick  county,  Adjt.  R.  E.  Gale,  took  his  place  as  acting 
assistant  adjutant-general. 

Danville  was  at  this  time  a  city  in  southern  Virginia  of  between  three 
and  four  thousand  inhabitants,  and  was  before  the  war  an  important  busi 
ness  centre  on  the  Richmond  &  Danville  Railroad,  running  through 
Petersburg,  Danville,  Weldon,  and  Goldsborough,  to  Wilmington,  N.  C. 
It  is  situated  on  the  Dan  river,  and  near  the  head  of  navigation. 

It  was  here,  as  will  be  remembered,  that  Davis  and  his  cabinet  made 
their  first  step  to  re-establish  the  headquarters  of  the  dying  Confederacy- 
after  being  driven  out  of  Richmond  ;  and  it  was  from  this  place  that  the 
fugitive  chief,  —  as  he  might  then  have  been  properly  called,  as  a  few 
days  later  he  actually  was,  — still  defiant  and  determined,  issued  his  last 
proclamation. 

In  the  light  of  coming  events,  already  so  near  as  to  plainly  show  his 
perilous  situation,  it  was  an  appeal  so  vainly  bold  and  confident  in  its  tone 
as  to  excite  more  ridicule  than  enthusiasm,  even  among  his  own  people. 


302  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

It  created  no  little  amusement  at  the  North  where  a  few  days  later  it 
was  published,  while  its  author  was  hastening  "to  leave  his  country  for 
his  country's  good,"  and  his  boasted  Confederacy  had  lost  both  the  Con- 
and  the  fed,  and  the  erac-ing  process  of  General  Grant  had  left  nothing 
but  the  sad  tail-ending  y  \ 

As  an  interesting  literary  relic  of  the  war,  and  as  illustrating  the  resolute 
tenacity  of  the  ex-rebel  chief  when  all  was  lost  to  him  and  his  Confed 
eracy  but  a  forlorn  hope,  we  here  give  a  portion  of  his  final  and  fruitless 
appeal  : 

We  have  now  entered  upon  a  new  phase  of  the  struggle.  Relieved  from  the 
necessity  of  guarding  particular  points,  our  army  will  be  free  to  move  from  point 
to  point,  and  to  strike  the  enemy  in  detail  far  from  his  base. 

Let  us  but  will  it,  and  we  are  free.  Animated  bv  that  confidence  in  votir 
spirit  and  fortitude  which  never  yet  failed  me,  I  announce  to  you,  fellow  country 
men,  that  it  is  my  purpose  to  maintain  your  cause  with  my  whole  heart  and  soul ; 
and  I  will  never  consent  to  abandon  to  the  enemy  one  foot  of  the  soil  of  any  of 
the  states  of  the  Confederacy  ;  that  Virginia  —  noble  state,  whose  ancient  renown 
has  been  eclipsed  by  her  still  more  glorious  recent  history,  whose  bosom  has 
been  bared  to  receive  the  main  shock  of  the  war,  whose  sons  and  daughters 
have  exhibited  heroism  so  sublime  as  to  render  her  illustrious  in  all  time  to  come 
—  that  Virginia  with  the  help  of  the  people  and  by  the  blessing  of  Providence, 
shall  be  held  and  defended,  and  no  peace  ever  be  made  with  the  infamous  in 
vaders  of  our  territory. 

If,  by  the  stress  of  numbers,  we  should  be  compelled  to  a  temporary  with 
drawal  from  her  limits,  or  those  of  any  other  border  state,  we  will  return  until 
the  baffled  and  exhausted  enemy  shall  abandon  in  despair  his  endless  and  impos 
sible  task  of  making  slaves  of  a  people  resolved  to  be  free. 

Let  us  then  not  despond,  my  countrymen,  but,  relying  on  God,  meet  the  foe 
with  fresh  defiance,  and  with  unconquered  and  unconquerable  hearts. 

On  the  24th  of  May  Brig.  Gen.  J.  J.  Gregg  was,  by  order  of  General 
Ord,  assigned  to  that  section  of  Virginia  which  included  the  counties  of 
Nelson,  Amherst,  Bedford,  Campbell,  Appomattox,  Pittsylvania,  Henry, 
Patrick,  and  Franklin,  which  together  were  to  constitute  the  District  of 
Lynchburg ;  and  on  the  same  day  Colonel  Barker  received  by  telegraph 
the  following  order  from  General  Ord  in  Richmond  : 

You  will  render  the  citizens  of  Halifax  and  Pittsylvania  counties  all  the  facili 
ties  in  your  power.  Send  an  officer  from  command  to  administer  to  them  the 
oath  of  allegiance.  Report  direct  to  Brigadier-General  Gregg  for  orders,  and 
also  your  action  in  this  case. 

In  compliance  with  the  order  and  others  in  relation  to  the  same  subject, 
Captains  E.  W.  Ricker,  A.  St.  Clair,  and  D.  W.  Bohonon  were 
appointed  assistant  provost  marshals,  and  sent  with  a  small  detachment 
of  men  to  the  county  seats  of  Patrick,  Pittsylvania,  and  Henry  counties. 
Lieut.  A.  W.  Bacheler  was  for  a  time  in  control  of  matters  in  Fairfax 
county. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers,  303 

To  show  what,  besides  administering  oaths  of  allegiance  and  protect 
ing  the  citizens  from  molestation  by  lawless  mobs  and  predatory  bands, 
these  officers  had  to  do  and  provide  for,  one  of  many  orders  issued  either 
from  General  Ord  or  General  Gregg  appears  below  : 

BY  TELEGRAPH  FROM  LYNCHBURG, 

May  29,  1865. 

COLONEL  BARKER,  —  Please  deliver  the  following  instructions  to  your  provost 
marshals,  and  send  copies  to  Patrick  and  Henry  counties. 

I  am  directed  by  the  general  commanding  to  instruct  you  to  occupy  some 
building  in  your  vicinity  as  a  poor-house  in  which  will  be  placed  all  old  and 
helpless  men  and  women  and  helpless  children  and  orphans  to  whom  the  desti 
tute  ration  will  be  issued.  You  will  encourage  the  keeping  together  of  families, 
and  in  case  where  the  helpless  have  any  natural  claim  upon  labors,  you  will  see 
that  the  labor  of  such  goes  to  the  support  of  the  holder  of  the  family.  When 
plantations  have  houses,  cabins,  or  other  buildings  in  which  the  helpless  can 
reside,  you  will  induce  them  to  remain. 

It  is  not  desired  that  idleness  should  be  encouraged,  and  all  the  able-bodied 
•will  be  compelled  to  work  for  the  support  of  the  helpless. 

In  addition  to  the  destitute  rations  you  can  issue  a  half-ration  of  sugar  and 
coffee  or  tea  when  deemed  necessary  by  the  physician. 

I  am,  colonel,  very  respectfully, 

JNO.   B.  MAITLAND, 

A.  A.  G. 

From  the  foregoing  it  will  be  seen  that  Danville  was  an  important  and 
a  responsible  position,  and  the  selection  of  the  few  remaining  and 
battle-tried  veterans  of  the  "Old  Twelfth"  to  occupy  it  was  distinguish- 
ingly  complimentary  both  to  officers  and  men.  It  was  placing  the 
regiment  in  comparatively  an  isolated  situation,  —  a  little  independent 
command,  relying  upon  nothing  but  itself  in  wisdom  to  direct  or  power 
to  execute,  and  responsible  for  everything  within  its  jurisdiction. 

This  jurisdiction  not  only  included  Danville  and  the  county  of  Pittsyl- 
vania,  but  the  adjoining  counties  of  Henry,  Halifax,  and  Patrick,  in 
each  of  which  provost  headquarters  had  to  be  established,  and  the 
greatest  vigilance  exercised  to  maintain  order  and  protect  life  and  prop 
erty.  This  section  of  Virginia  had  been  intensely  disloyal,  so  much  so 
that  when  Davis  fled  thither,  on  that  eventful  afternoon  and  night  of  the 
2d  of  April,  intending  to  make  a  new  line  of  defense  of  the  Dan  and 
Roanoke  rivers  (to  which  end  work  upon  the  defenses  around  Danville 
was  being  hurriedly  performed  under  his  own  supervision  when  Lee 
surrendered),  he  was  welcomed,  as  he  says,  "with  an  Old  Virginia 
welcome,  and  her  patriotic  citizens,  with  one  heart,  contributed  in  every 
practicable  manner  to  cheer  and  aid  us  in  the  work  in  which  we  were 
engaged." 

To  be  so  soon  forsaken  by  him  whose  fast  waning  power  they  were  so 
ready  and  willing  to  sustain,  and  turned  over  to  the  guardianship  of  the 


304  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

''infamous  invaders"  of   their  sacred  soil,  was  adding  insult  to  injury, 
such  as  it  was  very  hard  at  first  for  them  to  submit  to  or  endure. 

But  dangerous  diseases  require  severe  remedies,  and  the  bitterest  pre 
scription  to  the  taste  has  sometimes  the  most  salutary  effect  upon  sour 
digestion  ;  and  especially  so,  as  in  this  case,  when  there  is  both  preju 
dice  and  pride  to  embitter  the  dose,  and  the  condition  of  the  patient  is 
such  as  to  leave  no  choice  of  medicines. 

There  was,  of  course,  an  unsettled,  chaotic  condition  of  civil  and 
social  affairs  at  this  time  in  all  the  Southern  states  where  the  rebel  armies 
had  been  able  to  maintain  their  pseudo,  slave-corner-stone  Confederacy  ; 
and  during  this  interregnum  between  the  sword  and  the  pen,  the  bullet 
and  the  ballot,  the  same  strong  military  arm  of  the  government  that  had 
crushed  all  armed  resistance  to  its  laws,  had,  for  a  while,  to  assist  in 
protecting  and  supporting  the  people  amid  the  broad  waste  of  want,  ruin, 
and  desolation  that  their  own  mad  and  rash  acts  had  brought  upon  them. 
Everything  had  been  taken  from  the  people  to  feed  their  army,  so  long 
besieged  in  Richmond  and  Petersburg,  and  thousands  of  families  in  the 
South,  when  the  war  ended,  had  not  eaten  a  satisfactory  meal  for 
months.  More  than  this,  the  white  citizens,  mostly  old  men,  women, 
and  children,  had  for  a  long  time  been  living  in  constant  fear  of  an  upris 
ing  among  their  slaves,  as  they  still  called  and  claimed  them,  notwith 
standing  President  Lincoln's  proclamation  ;  and  they  not  only  carefully 
avoided  anything  being  disclosed  to  the  colored  people  that  would  in  any 
way  tend  to  encourage  or  excite  them,  but  purposely  misrepresented  the 
facts  and  deceived  them,  so  far  as  they  could,  in  relation  to  the  progress 
of  the  Union  armies  southward,  and  the  prospect  of  their  final  success 
against  the  cause  of  their  masters. 

So  successful  had  they  been  in  keeping  these  people  ignorant  of  the 
true  situation  and  condition  of  things,  that  in  some  sections,  remote  from 
our  lines,  they  did  not  know  of  the  result  of  the  conflict  and  their  own 
freedom  until  they  learned  it  from  Federal  soldiers  that  had  been  sent 
into  those  sections  to  maintain  order  several  weeks  after  the  close  of 
the  war.  This  was  found  to  be  true  by  the  experience  of  the  Twelfth 
boys  with  the  colored  people  in  some  sections  around  Danville. 

To  preserve  order,  administer  oaths  of  allegiance  to  the  Government 
and  issue  rations  to  those,  white  and  black,  who  were  in  actual  want  of 
them,  were  the  three  principal  duties  embraced  in  Colonel  Barker's  letter 
of  instructions,  when  assigned  to  this  command.  But  acting  as  commander 
of  the  district,  there  were  constantly  arising,  under  the  broad  applica 
tion  of  his  first  and  most  important  duties  of  preserving  order,  and  pro 
tecting  life  and  property,  newr  and  perplexing  questions  that  required 
the  exercise  of  sound  discretion  and  keen  discrimination  to  rightly 
decide.  In  his  military  administration  of  public  affairs  of  a  civil  nature 
it  was  very  difficult  at  times  to  determine  what  his  duty  and  authority  in 
the  premises  might  be.  But  of  a  practically  judicious  mind  and  con- 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  305 

scientiously  devoted  to  the  right,  whether  the  cause  of  complaint 
came  from  friend  or  foe,  he,  with  the  aid  and  counsel  of  Major  Shack- 
ford  and  other  officers  of  his  little  command,  whom  he  selected  as  his 
staff,  so  wisely  managed  all  matters,  coming  under  his  control  as  to  com 
mand  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  whole  community,  as  their 
farewell  address  will  show. 

Among  the  many  complaints,  requests,  inquiries,  wants,  and  griev 
ances  of  the  white  and  colored  citizens,  the  following  grave,  tragic,  and 
humorous  few  are  given  as  a  fair  sample  of  the  whole. 

One  young  ex-master  of  several  negroes,  becoming  enraged  at  one  of 
them  for  daring  to  tell  him  that  he  was  no  longer  his  slave  and  acting 
accordingly,  stabbed  him  so  that  he  died,  under  pretense  of  self-defense, 
and  then  reported  the  fact  and  gave  himself  up  as  a  prisoner. 

Another  wanted  to  know,  if  he  should  not  be  allowed  to  control  the 
work  and  claim  the  wages  of  his  slaves,  so  long  as  they  were  dependent 
on  him,  as  he  seemed  to  take  for  granted,  for  support,  and  this  while  he 
was  asking  for  Government  rations  on  which  to  feed  his  own  family. 

A  "  colored  gentleman,"  feeling  somewhat  honored  and  dignified  by 
his  new  political  status,  as  was  not  surprising,  complained  of  the  abusive 
language  of  his  "young  marsa  "  in  calling  him  "a  black  nigger  any 
mo'e."  He  was  told  that  he  was  right  in  thinking  himself  as  good  as  a 
white  man,  as  long  as  he  behaved  as  well,  and  that  his  "young  marsa  " 
would  soon  have  to  conform  to  the  new  condition  of  things,  and  treat  him, 
as  was  hoped,  in  a  more  respectful  manner  ;  and  that  if  he  did  not  he,  the 
complainant,  was  now  his  own  boss  and  could  leave  when  he  wanted  to. 

One  day  a  bright  mulatto  girl,  with  such  a  pleasing  contrast  between 
the  color  of  her  teeth  and  eyes  as  would  excite  the  envy  of  many  a  lady 
of  higher  race  and  station,  presented  herself  at  one  of  the  assistant  prov 
ost  offices,  and  wanted  to  know  if  she  could  "  marry  a  man  and  hab 
childern  jess  like  de  white  folks  dus."  She  was  evidently  taking  a  pro 
spective  view  of  matrimonial  matters,  and  used  the  word  "  hab"  more  in 
a  possessive  than  a  procreative  sense,  fearing  that  her  children  might  be 
taken  away  from  her,  as  in  slavery  times. 

As  mutually  remindful,  another  and  somewhat  similar  incident  may  be 
related  here,  where  a  father  of  many  children  —  the  number  now  forgot 
ten —  who  had  been  married  two  or  three  times,  desired  to  be  informed 
whether,  "under  de  new  ordernation  of  Marsa  Linkon  "  he  would  be 
allowed  to  take  his  pick  when  and  where  he  could  find  them. 

The  disposition  of  the  criminal  case  above  referred  to,  where  the  inde 
pendent  freedman  was  killed  by  his  hot  blooded  former  owner,  consisted 
in  giving  the  latter  a  formal  military  introduction  to  the  civil  authorities 
about  to  assume  swav  once  more  in  the  "Old  Dominion.'' 

•/ 

Colonel  Barker  no  sooner  learned  of  the  crime  than  he  ordered  the 
offender  under  arrest  and  instituted  a  Court  of  Inquiry,  the  finding  of 
which  is  here  copied  from  the  original  record  : 


306  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

HD.  QRS.  U.  S.  FORCES, 

DANVILLE,  VA.,  June  5,  1865. 
Lieut.  R.  E.  GALE,  A.  A.  A.  G. 

Pursuant  to  S.  O.  No.  26,  Hd.  Qrs.  Danville,  Va.,  Dated  June  5,  1865,  the 
commissioners  met.  The  members  were  all  present,  and  proceeded  in  an  in 
formal  manner  to  elicit  the.  facts  in  the  case  of  Edward  I.  Carter  who  was 
reported  to  have  killed  a  colored  man,  named  Tom,  who  lived  on  his  plantation 
and  had  formerly  been  one  of  his  slaves.  And  the  members  of  this  commission 
are  of  the  opinion  that  Edward  I.  Carter  who  under  the  influence  of  liquor  did 
kill  one  colored  man,  named  Tom,  by  stabbing  him  in  the  breast  with  a  knife 
without  cause  or  provocation  ;  and  that  because  of  his  crime  we  are  of  the  opin 
ion  that  Edward  I.  Carter  should  be  placed  in  confinement  to  await  trial  bv 

court. 

f  N.  SHACKFORD,  Maj.  i2th  N.  H.   V. 

•     •        \  Q-  Q-  CARROLL,  2Oth  N.   T.   Cavalry. 
Members  of  Commission      jg^  E    GAJ  ^  AdjL  ^  ^  Hfy 

and  A.  A.  A.   G. 

Among  the  sad  and  sympathetic  may  be  mentioned  the  case  of  the  old 
man  who  was  formerly  from  the  North,  and  claimed  that  his  heart  had 
always  been  for  the  old  flag,  but  that  he  had  not  dared  to  acknowledge  it 
before  since  the  war  commenced  even  to  his  wife  who  was  a  southern 
born  "  fire  eater  "  of  the  bitterest  type  ;  that  he  had  lost  two  or  three  sons 
in  the  rebel  army,  and  one,  who  had  deserted  to  and  fought  for  the  Union 
side,  he  had  reason  to  believe  was  still  living,  but  would  never  dare  re 
turn  to  Virginia  again. 

Another  picture  of  disconsolation  and  woe  was  that  of  the  poor  widow 
woman  who  had  given  her  husband  and  two  sons,  her  only  children,  to 
the  "  lost  cause,"  and  was  left  without  so  much  as  a  servant  or  a  slave  to 
pity  and  comfort  her  in  her  great  sorrow.  To  talk  with  her  with  tearless 
eyes  was  more  complimentary  to  the  tongue  than  the  heart  of  him  who 
could  do  it,  even  if  his  ears  were  closed  to  her  sad  tale  ;  for  she  looked 
too  much  of  the  deep  and  crushing  sorrow  that  she  felt. 

Many  similar  instances  of  bereavement,  want,  and  suffering  might  be 
referred  to  as  coming  under  the  observation  or  within  the  knowledge 
of  both  officers  and  men  of  the  Twelfth  while  stationed  at  Danville,  for 
the  whole  South  was  full  of  them.  But  especially  was  this  true  of  Vir 
ginia,  the  great  battle-ground  of  the  war,  whose  soil  was  a  common 
sepulchre  for  the  many  thousands  of  both  armies  who  fought,  fell,  and 
were  buried  upon  her  many  blood-stained  fields. 

There  were  many  disputes  arising  from  counter  claims  to  the  owner 
ship  of  horses  that  had  been  left  by  both  the  Union  and  Confederate 
cavalry  in  exchange  for  better  ones  in  their  marches  through  that  section 
of  the  State,  and  others  taken  home  by  the  disbanded  rebel  cavalry  under 
the  terms  of  Lee's  surrender  to  Grant,  many  of  the  latter  bearing  the 
branded  letters  of  U.  S. 

These   disputes   not  only   arose  between   the   citizens,   but   frequently 


Hampshire   Volunteers.  307 

between  them  and  Union  officers  authorized  to  take  possession  of  "  Uncle 
Sam's"  property  wherever  found.  The  ex-rebel  soldier  claimed  his  by 
right  of  capture  in  battle  or  within  their  lines  ;  and  the  citizen,  found 
having  one  or  more  of  government  horses  on  his  plantation,  claimed  them 
because  he  had  been  obliged  to  take  them,  when  worn  down,  poor,  and 
nearlv  worthless,  in  exchange  for  good  and  perhaps  valuable  animals  ; 
and  not  to  be  allowed  to  keep  them  after  he  had  kept,  fed,  and  recruited 
until  of  some  use  and  value  to  him,  seemed  indeed  an  unjustifiable  hard 
ship.  Government  took  the  same  view  of  it,  and  the  citizen  claimants 
were  allowed  to  keep  them. 

The  Twelfth  boys  at  Danville,  and  in  the  surrounding  counties  where 
some  of  them  were  stationed  as  provost  detachments,  learned  more  of 
southern  life,  and  its  every-day  forms  and  practices,  than  ever  before 
while  in  the  army. 

They  learned  by  personal  observation  how  true  was  the  pen  picture 
of  Harriet  Beecher  Stowe,  as  given  to  the  world  within  the  book  lids  of 
"Uncle  Tom's  Cabin."  Yet  it  was,  in  reality,  only  the  brighter  tints  and 
the  lighter  shades  that  they  saw,  for  between  slave  life  in  Virginia,  and 
slave  life  in  the  gulf  states  there  was  a  much  greater  difference  than  dis 
tance  ;  and,  as  naturally  inferred,  what  was  true  of  the  relative  care  and 
treatment  of  the  slaves  was  equally  true  of  the  contrast  between  the 
Christian  refinement  of  the  whites  in  the  two  sections. 

The  negroes  still  remaining  upon  the  plantations  were  advised,  and  as 
a  rule  inclined  themselves,  to  remain  there,  and  labor,  not  as  they  had 
been  accustomed  to,  for  only  enough  to  eat  and  drink,  but  for  a  reason 
able  compensation  in  money  or  for  a  part  interest  in  the  crops.  And 
here  again  was  a  question,  viz.  :  Whether  the  freed  men  were  not  entitled 
to  receive  from  their  former  masters  compensation  for  all  the  labor  they 
had  performed  for  them  back  from  the  date  of  their  emancipation, 
January  i,  1863,  by  virtue  of  the  war  edict  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  But 
this  was  a  Yankee's  suggestion,  more  than  the  negro's  demand  ;  for 
standing  upon  the  threshold  of  freedom,  with  self-dependence  as  a  new 
and  untried  experience  before  him,  the  black  man  was  more  interested  in 
securing  remunerative  labor  in  the  future,  than  collecting  his  just  dues  for 
his  labors  of  the  past.  They  were  proudly  happy  in  the  idea  of  being 
their  own  masters,  but  the  more  thoughtful  of  them  well  understood  that 
liberty  and  responsibility  were  reciprocal  terms. 

As  showing  the  industrial  status  of  the  negro  at  this  time,  and  the 
accuracy  of  official  statements  required,  the  following  from  the  report  of 
Captain  Bohonon  will  be  found  of  special  interest : 

The  number  of  colored  people  in  the  county  of  Henry  under  12  years  of  age 
are  2,080;  between  12  and  55  years  of  age,  2,916;  over  55  years  of  age,  389, 
making  a  total  of  ^,385.  In  addition  to  the  above,  there  are  about  320  who  were 
born  free.  The  number  of  all  these  between  12  and  55  who  will  be  unable  to 


308  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

earn  their  living  will  depend  greatly  upon  the  system  adopted  by  themselves  or 
those  having  them  in  charge. 

In  the  absence  of  legislation  to  the  contrary,  it  is  presumed  that  a  very  large 
proportion  of  this  class  will  remain  with  their  former  masters,  and  for  wages 
will  aid  in  farm  labor ;  for  so  strong  is  their  attachment  to  the  house  and  neigh 
borhood  in  which  they  were  born  and  raised  that  very  few  will  voluntarily  leave 
them,  and  may,  with  kind  treatment  and  for  a  reasonable  compensation,  be 
induced  to  engage  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  make  a  support  for  themselves 
and  employers.  Under  these  circumstances  not  over  five  per  cent  will  fail  to 
earn  a  living. 

As  these  people  have  heretofore  been  under  the  control  of  white  men  who 
owned  and  furnished  the  teams  and  implements  of  industry  used  by  them,  very 
few  have  teams,  horses,  or  farm  implements  of  any  kind.  These  articles  will  be 
furnished  as  before  by  their  employers  to  all  who  work  for  wages,  and  the  num 
ber  needed  will  depend  almost  entirely  upon  that  fact. 

It  is  impossible  to  estimate  the  number  of  this  class  who  will  be  thus 
employed,  but  it  cannot  be  less  than  fifty  or  seventy-five  per  cent  if  left  to  their 
own  choice.  Assuming  that  fifty  per  cent  will  need  no  implements  of  husbandry, 
it  will  follow  that  1,455  of  that  class,  whose  families  will  include  those  of  the 
first  and  third  class,  will  have  to  be  supplied.  Estimating  one  mule  or  horse 
with  plow  harness  for  each  family,  averaging  eight  persons,  it  will  follow  that  at 
least  1 20  horses  or  mules  and  a  like  number  of  plow  gear  will  be  required. 
Most  other  articles  which  are  needed  they  can  generally  procure  for  themselves. 

The  first  order  issued  from  Washington  for  the  discharge  of  troops, 
including  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire,  and  the  long  and  circuitous 
official  route  it  took  before  reaching  Colonel  Barker,  it  is  thought  proper 
to  give  here,  not  simply  because  of  its  importance  to  the  men  and  its 
welcome  reception,  but  more  especially  to  interest  the  younger  readers 
of  this  history,  who  belong  to  another  generation,  in  tracing  out  the 
many  headquarter  depots  through  which  it  had  to  pass  for  endorsements, 
and  in  learning  the  way  "  red  tape"  was  measured  out  in  the  army. 

WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
WASHINGTON,  D.   C.,  May  29,  1865. 

To   Maj.   Genl.   H.   W.    HALLECK,    Commanding   Military    Division   of  the 
James : 

The  Secretaiy  of  War  directs  that  all  volunteer  organizations  of  white  troops 
in  your  command  whose  term  of  service  expires  between  this  date  and  September 
30  next,  inclusive,  be  immediately  mustered  out  of  service.  *  *  *  * 

All  men  in  the  aforesaid  organizations  whose  term  of  service  expires  subse 
quently  to  October  i,  1865,  will  be  transferred  to  other  organizations  from  the 
same  State  —  to  veteran  regiments  when  practicable  —  having  the  longest  time  to 
serve.  *  *  *  * 

Should  your  command  be  reduced  prejudicially  to  the  service  by  this  order, 
you  are  authorized  to  suspend  it  in  whole  or  part,  promptly  notifying  the 
Adjutant-General  of  the  army  with  a  view  to  receiving  further  instructions. 

THOMAS   M.  VINCENT, 

A.  A.  G. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  309 

HEAD  QRS.  MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  JAMES, 

RICHMOND,  VA.,  May  29,  1865. 
Official  : 

ROBERT    H.   SCOTT, 

Maj.  and  A.  A.   G. 

Maj.  Gen.  Orel  will  carry  this  into  effect  in  the  Dept.  of  Virginia. 
(May  29,  1865.)  H.   W.   HALLECK, 

Maj.   Gen  1.   Comndg. 

HEAD  QRS.   DEPT.   OF  VIRGINIA, 

RICHMOND,  VA.,  May  30,  1865. 

Official   copy  furnished   for  the   information  of  Maj.   Genl.    Gibbons,   com'd'g 
24th  Army  Corps. 

ED.  W.   SMITH, 

A.  A.  G. 

HEAD  QRS.   24TH  ARMY  CORPS, 

RICHMOND,  VA.,  May  31,  1865. 
Official : 

EDWARD  MOALE, 

A.  A.  G. 

The  Commissary  of  Musters  of  the  Corps  and   his  assistants  are  charged  with 
the  prompt  execution  of  this  order. 

EDWARD  MOALE, 

A.  A.  G. 
Official : 

GEORGE  W.  HOOKER, 

A.  A.  G. 

HEAD  QRS.   31)  Div.,   24TH  ARMY  CORPS, 

MANCHESTER,  VA.,  June  i,  1865. 

Official  copy  furnished  for  the  information  of  brigade  commanders. 

By  order  of  BVT.   MAJ.   GENL.   DEVENS, 

GEORGE  W.  HOOKER, 

A.  A.  G. 

HEAD  QRS.   20  BRIG.,  30  Div.,   24TH  ARMY  CORPS, 

NEAR  MANCHESTER,  VA.,  June   i,  1865. 
Official : 

A.  M.   HEATH, 

Capt.  1 2th  N.  H.    Vols., 
A.  A.  A.  G. 


Official : 

RUFUS  E.  GALE, 

A.  A.  A.  G. 


HEAD  QRS.   U.   S.  FORCES, 

DANVILLE,   VA.,  June  2,  1865. 


310  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

And  thus  the  order  comes  around  and  down  to  Colonel  Barker's  com 
mand  of  his  own  regiment  and  a  detachment  of  the  Twentieth  New 
York  Cavalry  comprising  the  "United  States  Forces"  at  Danville,  Va. 
But  to  make  the  whole  thing  complete  requires  another  order  of  "  copies 
furnished"  by  Colonel  Barker,  commanding  the  sub-district,  and  another 
official  recognition  by  Lieutenant  Gale  as  adjutant  of  the  Twelfth  New 
Hampshire  Volunteers  ;  and  all  this  before  the  last  military  bow  knot 
can  be  properly  tied  with  the  tail  ends  of  this  long  piece  of  red-tape. 

To  the  younger  readers,  for  whom  it  is  intended,  this  will  certainly 
appear  to  be  a  very  long  tail  for  so  small  a  kite. 

On  the  4th  of  June  Colonel  Barker  telegraphed  to  General  Gregg  as 
follows  : 

I  have  the  honor  to  request  that  my  command,  whith  is  now  on  duty  at  Dan 
ville  and  vicinity,  may  be  relieved,  for  the  following  reasons: 

Our  term  of  service  expires  before  the  3Oth  of  September,  1865,  consequently 
the  company  and  regimental  records  should  be  made  so  complete  that  the  muster 
out  rolls  can  be  made  out  immediately. 

I  have  not  an  officer  in  the  regiment  who  is  not  either  on  detached  or 
special  duty,  and  it  is  impossible  to  complete  their  records  while  on  duty  and 
away  from  their  commands. 

The  next  day  a  complaint  by  wire  was  forwarded  : 

The  cavalry  here  is  ordered  to  Manchester,  Va.,  by  General  Ord.  It  leaves 
me  with  an  insufficient  force  for  the  duties  required,  and  almost  without  com 
munication  with  Patrick  and  Henry  court  houses. 

It  appears  from  the  foregoing  that  a  cavalry  force  was  then  stationed 
at  Danville,  and  is  supposed  to  be  the  same  cavalry  command  as  reported 
to  him  for  duty  soon  after  his  arrival  there.  About  fifty  men  from  the 
regiment  and  a  small  detachment  of  this  cavalry  constituted  the  command 
of  each  assistant  provost  marshal,  who  had  a  county  for  his  department 
and  a  court  house  for  his  headquarters. 

These  officers,  especially  Captains  Smith,  Bohonon,  and  Ricker,  had 
much  to  do ;  for,  beside  being  crowded  with  applications  of  all  kinds, 
they  were  required  to  make  out  numerous  reports  upon  the  condition  and 
wants  of  the  people.  Some  of  these  reports  were  quite  lengthy,  and 
covered  a  broad  field  of  inquiry.  They  indicate  close  observation  and 
careful  reflection  on  the  part  of  the  writers,  and  are  so  replete  with  apt 
suggestions  and  wise  recommendations  that  they  would  reflect  credit 
upon  officers  of  much  higher  rank. 

Concerning  the  illiteracy  and  disloyalty  of  the  white  population  it 
should  be  stated  that  only  about  one  third  of  this  class  would  take  the 
oath  of  allegiance,  and  nearly  one  third  of  those  who  took  the  oath  could 
neither  read  nor  write.  This  was  found  to  be  true  at  Elmsville  and  other 
places  in  Patrick  county  where  Captain  Ricker  and  Sergeant  Homer 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  311 

went  to  administer  the  oath  as  )ate  as  the  yth  of  June,  when  the  unre 
pentant  had  had  sufficient  time  to  reflect  upon  and  accept,  if  they  had 
been  inclined,  the  situation.  Of  two  hundred  and  seventy  whites  who 
took  the  oath  that  day,  seventy-six  could  not  write  their  names,  and  had 
to  sign  their  papers  with  a  cross. 

Thus  it  will  appear  that  not  all  the  ignorance,  existing  at  that  time 
among  the  masses  of  the  South,  was  found  upon  the  dark  side  of  the 
color  line.  And  in  this  connection  it  should  be  remembered  that  the 
ratio  of  illiteracy  was  much  greater  among  those  who  did  not  take  the 
oath  than  those  who  did. 

Since  the  war  ended  there  has  been  a  far  greater  effort  made  to  acquire 
an  education  by  the  colored  than  the  white  people  of  the  southern  states, 
and  the  former  class,  aided  by  philanthropic  societies  and  men  of  means 
at  the  North,  have  made  a  progress  that  even  surpasses  the  most 
sanguine  expectations  of  their  benefactors.  Thus  aided,  and  prompted 
by  an  active  desire  to  be  in  this  respect  on  an  equal  with  the  whites  —  to 
the  futherance  of  which  the  common  school  system  now  quite  generally 
established  in  the  South  is  an  important  factor  —  there  is  a  strong  reason 
for  the  hope  that  the  day  is  not  far  distant  when  their  rights,  civil  and 
political,  and  their  protection  of  life  and  property  shall  be  as  sacredly 
inviolate  in  the  South  as  in  the  North. 

But  a  speedy  consummation  of  this,  the  sad  want  of  which  is  a  dark, 
damaging,  and  disgraceful  blot  upon  an  otherwise  pleasant  and  promis 
ing  section  of  our  fair  land,  cannot  be  expected  without  a  corresponding 
stimulus  being  given  to  the  education  of  the  whites,  who  inhabit  the  same 
states  and  get  a  living  from  the  same  soil  as  the  colored  people,  with 
whom  they  are  thus  necessarily  often  brought  in  contact.  For  this 
reason  it  is  greatly  to  be  regretted  that  the  Educational  Bill  of  Senator 
Blair,  of  New  Hampshire,  recently  pending  in  Congress,  should  have 
been  defeated.  The  measure,  as  believed,  was  wise  and  statesmanlike, 
and  for  his  long-tried  and  laborious  efforts  to  have  it  put  upon  the  statute 
book  of  the  Nation,  he  deserves  a  grateful  remembrance. 

And  now,  as  could  have  been  said  with  earnest  truthfulness  by  the 
remnant  of  the  brave  men,  for  the  sake  and  in  the  interest  of  whom  and 
their  posterity  this  history  has  been  thus  far  written,  we  gladly  approach 
the  end,  so  far  as  their  blood-tracked  and  dangerous  journey  through  the 
terrible  scenes  and  sufferings  of  rebeldom  leads  us,  and  we  hasten  thither. 

The  last  marches  of  any  distance  that  any  of  the  Twelfth  boys  had  to 
make,  were  made  by  the  county  detachments  on  their  way  back  from 
Henry,  Pittsylvania,  and  Patrick  court  houses  to  Danville.  Captain 
Ricker's  command,  starting  on  the  morning  of  the  nth  of  June,  marched 
thirty-one  miles  before  midnight,  and  the  remaining  seventeen  miles  the 
next  day,  as  shown  by  Sergeant  Homer's  diary  ;  but  never  was  so  long 
a  march  made  before  by  the  same  men  or  any  others  of  the  regiment 
with  so  little  complaint  or  wearisomeness,  for  it  was  understood  that  they 


312  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

were  scuffing  Virginia  dust  for  the  last  time,  as  their  next  movements 
would  doubtlessly  be  by  rail  and  sail,  and  both  in  the  direction  of  home. 

Captains  Bohonon's  and  Smith's  detachments  returned  from  their 
respective  counties  about  the  same  time  ;  and  on  the  i3th  the  regiment 
left  Danville  and  returned  by  steam  transportation  to  Manchester.  The 
next  morning  after  arriving  in  Manchester  it  marched  out  three  miles  to 
Ruffin's  Farm,  pitched  tents,  and  went  into  camp  for  the  last  time  upon 
Virginia's  soil. 

While  waiting  here  for  the  completion  of  company  and  regimental 
returns,  preparatory  to  its  final  muster  out,  Colonel  Barker  received  from 
Washington,  D.  C.,  the  following  commendatory  address.  The  citizens 
of  Danville,  by  and  in  behalf  of  whom  it  was  written,  thought,  as  will  be 
seen,  that  the  regiment,  when  it  left  that  place,  was  to  proceed  directly 
home  ;  but  not  knowing  what  delays  might  occur,  had  wisely  sent  it  to 
Washington  to  be  forwarded  to  wherever  the  regiment,  or,  if  disbanded, 
its  colonel,  might  be. 

TESTIMONIAL  TO  THE  I2TH  REGIMENT,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE  VOLUNTEERS. 

To  Lieut.  Col.  T.  E.  BARKER,   Commanding: 

SIR, — When  the  order  came  relieving  you  from  command  of  this  post,  it  was 
suggested  by  citizens  that  there  should  be  some  expression  of  our  appreciation 
of  the  proper  and  gentlemanly  bearing  of  yourself,  your  officers,  and  your  entire 
command  while  on  duty  here. 

The  unsettled  state  of  feeling  since  the  war  has  ended,  naturally  hinders  the  free 
interchange  of  friendly  tokens  between  those  who  so  lately  and  so  sternly  met  as 
enemies  in  the  shock  of  battle,  and  time  has  not  yet  blunted  the  keen  sense  of  the 
failure  of  hopes  we  dearly  cherished  ;  but  we  are  not  willing  you  should  pass  away 
from  among  us  without  some  testimonial  —  valuable,  at  least,  as  being  no  idle 
compliment,  but  fairly  won  by  a  manly  course  of  consistent  courtesy  —  that  may 
serve  to  show  you  and  your  friends  in  the  far  North  that  southern  men  can 
estimate  and  appreciate  woith  without  heeding  lines  of  separation,  whether 
geographical  or  political. 

It  is  proper  that  you,  colonel,  and  the  officers  and  men  serving  with  and  under 
you,  should  know  that  you  and  they  possess  our  respect  as  soldiers  and  our 
esteem  as  men,  for  the  manner  in  which  you  and  your  command  have  discharged 
duties  which  might  have  been,  in  another  spirit,  painful  or  annoying  to  our 
community  ;  and  we  deeply  regret  your  removal  from  this  post  while  a  military 
occupation  is  continued.  We  request  you  to  make  known  to  the  men  of  your 
command  our  high  appreciation  of  their  uniform  good  conduct,  their  quiet  and 
unassuming  deportment,  and  their  prompt  and  efficient  service  in  the  protection 
of  private  property.  In  hope  that  when  this  reaches  you,  you  and  your  regi 
ment  will  be  once  more  enjoying  the  comforts  of  home  and  the  blessings  of 
peace  not  soon  again  to  be  broken,  and  believing  that  we  convey  to  you  the 
common  sentiment  of  this  community,  we  have  the  honor  to  subscribe  ourselves 
your  friends  and  fellow  citizens.  T  W.  WALKER,  Mayor. 

W.  T.  CLARK,  W.  D.  SUTIIERLIN,         S.  S.  BRYANT, 

J.  W.  MCKINNEY,  THOS.  B.  DOE,  T.  J.   PATRICK, 

C.   W.  WATKINS,  JOHN  F.  FECKLEN. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  313 

When  our  enemies  praise  us  there  can  be  but  little  doubt  but  we 
deserve  it. 

As  in  the  commencement  of  this  history  *  appears  the  first  general 
order  ever  issued  to  the  regiment,  directing  it  to  proceed  from  Concord, 
N.  H.,  to  Washington,  D.  C.,  on  its  way  to  the  front,  so  here,  and  near 
its  close,  will  be  recorded  the  last  order,  general  or  special,  it  ever  re 
ceived  while  in  the  service,  in  obedience  to  which  (and  that  all  were  more 
than  glad  to  obey,  the  reader  will  not  wonder)  it  was  to  leave  Richmond, 
Va.,  and  return  home  to  Concord  again. 

H'D  Q|RS  24TH  A.   C., 

SPECIAL  ORDERS,  RICHMOND,  VA.,  June  21,  1865. 

No.  153. 

In  compliance  G.  O.  No.  94,  C.  S.,  from  this  Department,  the  i3th  Regt. 
N.  H.  Vols.  will  be  mustered  out  of  service  by  Bv't  Capt.  \V.  J.  Ladd,  A.  C. 
M.,  3d  Div.,  24th  A.  C.,  and  will  at  once  proceed  to  Concord,  N.  H.,  for  final 
payment  and  discharge. 

All  enlisted  men  whose  term  of  service  does  not  expire  previous  to  Oct.  ist, 
1865,  will  be  transferred  to  the  2d  Regt.  N.  H.  Vols. 

All  surplus  ordnance,  ordnance  stores,  quartermaster  stores,  camp  and  garrison 
equipage  will,  at  once,  be  turned  in  at  the  proper  depots  in  Richmond,  Va. 

The  Quartermaster  Department  will  furnish  the  necessary  transportation. 

By  command  of 

Maj.  Gen.  JOHN  GIBBON. 
T.   ELI.EHY  LOHD, 

Maj.  and  Acfg  Ass't  Adj't   Gen'/. 

This  was  an  order  which,  though  daily  expected,  was  none  the  less 
joyfully  welcomed.  "Will  be  mustered  out  of  service"  "and 

will  at  once  proceed  to  Concord,  N.  H.,  for  final  payment  and  dis 
charge."  These  were  words  brightly  promising  to  the  eye,  sweetly 
sounding  to  the  ear,  and  filling  the  whole  heart  with  an  inexpressible 
feeling  of  gladness.  "Concord"  meant  home,  and  who  better  than  the 
soldier,  long  deprived  of  its  comforts  and  pleasures,  could  appreciate  the 
meaning  of  that  often  repeated  line  of  John  Howard  Payne's  world- 
cherished  poem, 

"Be  it  ever  so  humble,  there  is  no  place  like  home." 

The  Stars  and  Stripes  now  floated  once  more  over  the  capital  of  every 
southern  state,  and  a  muster-out  roll  and  homeward  ride,  either  on  land 
or  water,  had  been  impatiently  awaited. 

The  22d  of  June,  1865,  was  a  beautiful  day;  and  early  in  the  morning 
the  Twelfth,  having  been  mustered  out  the  day  before,  broke  camp  for  the 
last  time  upon  Virginia  soil,  and  in  company  with  the  Tenth  and  Thir 
teenth  regiments,  forming  a  little  home-bound  brigade  about  half  the  size 
of  a  full  regiment,  marched  to  "The  Rocketts,"  embarked  on  board  the 
steamer  "State  of  Maine,"  and  started  at  8  A.  M.  for  home. 

*  Page  16. 


314  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

As  down  the  river  the  boat  peacefully  glided  on  that  lovely  June  morn 
ing,  past  dismantled  forts  which  but  a  short  time  before  were  crowded 
with  rebel  batteries,  through  obstructions  then  impassible,  and  soon 
rounded  out  upon  the  broader  river  below  its  confluence  with  the  Appo- 
rnattox  at  City  Point,  there  arose  in  the  minds  of  some  a  feeling  of 
sadness  at  leaving  behind  them  so  many  brave  hearts  and  manlv  forms, 
mouldering  beneath  the  crimsoned  soil  of  strife  upon  which  they,  the 
living  and  the  dead,  had  so  often  marched  side  by  side  for  the  success 
and  safety  of  the  same  cause  and  country  they  had  so  gallantly  espoused 
and  valiantly  defended. 

Though  joy  was  uppermost  at  the  thought  that  they  were  homeward 
bound,  yet  deep  down  in  the  heart,  where  exist  those  purest  and  tender- 
est  emotions  of  our  moral  natures  that  are  more  often  felt  than  expressed, 
they  sorrowfully  regretted  that  they  must  leave  behind  them  the  silent 
dust  of  those  once  as  fond  and  as  hopeful  of  home  and  all  its  endear 
ments  as  themselves,  but  to  which  they  could  never  again  return. 

From  the  memory  of  that  day's  thoughts  and  scenes  the  following 
farewell  lines  have  dropped  through  pen  to  paper  : 

Good-by,  Sunny  South,  now  clouded  with  gloom, 

We  leave  thee  alone  in  sadness  to  rest; 
Thy  streams  have  run  red,  each  valley  a  tomb, 

But  the  viper  is  slain  that  nursed  at  thy  breast. 

Good-bv  to  thy  cannon-ploughed  fields,  where  the  soil 
Is  stained  with  the  blood  of  the  Blue  and  the  Gray  ; 

We've  watched  in  your  trenches  of  danger  and  toil, 

Through  the  dark  night  of  war  to  the  bright  peace  of  day. 

Goocl-by,  "sacred  soil,"  aye,  sacred  indeed, 

Where  mingles  the  dust  of  the  brave  and  the  true ; 

Long,  long  shall  the  heart  of  the  poor  mother  bleed 

For  him  who  here  sleeps  "  'neath  the  sod  and  the  dew." 

Farewell,  comrades  dear,  with  a  farewell  tear, 

We  leave  you  to  rest  till  the  bugle's  last  call 
Shall  bid  them  arise,  without  danger  or  fear, 

Who  fell  that  no  star  of  our  Union  should  fall. 

Farewell,  patriots  dead,  though  your  cause  shall  survive 

The  ruin  and  wreck  of  war's  desolation  ; 
Till  man  'gainst  his  brother  no  longer  shall  strive, 

But  peace  and  good-will  make  the  whole  world  a  nation. 

For  we  go  to  our  homes,  once  more  there  to  live 

By  the  bright  crystal  lakes  'mid  mountains  that  stand 

As  watch-towers  of  freedom  the  warning  to  give, 
If  danger  again  shall  e'er  threaten  our  land. 

After  an  uneventful  voyage  of  two  days  and  one  night  —  nearly  the 
whole  of  the  first  day  being  spent  in  getting  down  the  river  to  Fortress 
Monroe  —  the  steamer  dropped  anchor  at  8  o'clock  in  New  York  harbor. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  315 

The  next  morning,  after  coaling  up  at  a  government  wharf  on  the  Jersey 
City  side,  the  boat  with  its  load  of  human  freight  left  the  great  metropo 
lis  for  the  New  England  "  Hub,"  where  it  arrived  on  the  evening  of  the 
25th,  which  was  the  first  day  of  the  week,  the  men  having  spent  their 
first  Sabbath  since  their  discharge,  upon  the  ocean.  Safe  anchorage  was 
secured  about  8  o'clock,  and  less  than  an  hour  later  the  three  little 
battalions  we're  marching  through  the  gas-lighted  streets  to  Faneuil  Hall, 
within  whose  honored  walls  they  found  quarters  for  the  night.  The  day 
had  been  a  hot  one,  but  the  ocean  breeze  had  made  the  men  comfortable. 
But  the  evening  was  much  too  warm  for  an  in-door  bivouac  of  old 
veterans,  iust  from  the  tented  field,  and  many  of  them  chose  to  sleep 
upon  the  steps  and  even  the  entrance-walk,  where  there  was  more  room 
and  plenty  of  air.  Those  lying  upon  the  brick  or  stone  walk  were 
thought,  by  many  of  the  passers-by,  to  be  drunk  ;  but  some  of  the  citizens, 
learning  the  real  cause,  invited  them  to  their  homes,  promising  a  nice, 
cool  room  and  a  soft  bed  to  those  who  would  accept  of  their  invitation. 
These  good  and  well  meaning  citizens  were  thanked  for  their  kindness, 
but  when  told  that  the  soft  side  of  a  stone  was  far  preferable  to  the  softest 
feather  bed  for  a  soldier  to  sleep  upon,  they  went  their  way  wondering  if 
the  soldiers  were  not  half  drunk  after  all.  They  would  not  have  won 
dered  at  all  at  the  soldier's  choice,  had  they  ever  had  a  full  share  of 
his  experience. 

At  9  o'clock  the  next  morning  the  Twelfth  and  other  two  regiments, 
tilling  several  cars,  left  the  Lowell  depot  for  New  Hampshire.  The 
train  reached  Nashua  before  noon,  where  a  cheering  reception  awaited 
the  returning  veterans  by  the  thousands  surrounding  the  depot  as  the 
train  rolled  in.  The  Thirteenth  boys  were  properly  the  heroes  while  the 
brigade  remained  in  this  city,  for  many  of  them  enlisted  there  and  in 
surrounding  towns,  and  it  was  the  home  of  their  old  colonel,  General 
Stevens,  who  had  been  there  most  of  the  time  after  the  battle  of  Fort 
Harrison,  September  29,  where  he  was  severely  wounded  while  in 
command  of  a  brigade  including  the  Tenth  and  Thirteenth  regiments. 

The  Twelfth  remained  here  with  the  other  regiments  through  the 
afternoon  and  night,  the  brigade  being  reviewed  in  the  mean  time  by 
General  Stevens  who,  with  other  prominent  citizens,  spared  no  pains  to 
make  their  stay  there  a  pleasant  one.  Yet  the  most  of  the  soldiers 
thought  so  much  more  of  being  entertained  at  home  than  anywhere  else, 
that  they  took  but  little  pleasure  in  anything  causing  unnecessary  delay, 
no  matter  how  agreeably  arranged  or  well  intended. 

So,  after  waiting  impatiently  until  10  o'clock  the  next  morning,  they 
gladly  left  Nashua  for  the  city  of  Manchester,  where  another  enthusi 
astic  reception  awaited  them.  After  partaking  of  a  sumptuous  dinner, 
prepared  for  them  beneath  the  shade  of  some  trees  then  growing  on 
Merrimack  Common,  and  near  where  now  stands  the  beautiful  monu 
ment  erected  to  commemorate  their  deeds,  and  listening  to  speeches  from 


316  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Senator  Daniel  Clark  and  Col.  Thomas  J.  Whipple,  who  had  once  so 
ardently  desired  to  command  the  Twelfth,  as  will  be  remembered,  the 
brigade  marched  back  to  the  depot,  and  3  o'clock  found  them  again  on 
the  rail  and  starting  for  Concord. 

Manchester  had  been  the  central  rendezvous  of  the  Tenth  Regiment  in 
its  organization  and  the  resident  city  of  General  Donohoe  and  many  of 
its  members,  who  would  gladly  have  ended  their  journey  there.  But 
they  were  not  yet  quite  through  with  the  military  order  of  things,  which 
required  them  all  to  report  to  Gov.  Frederick  Smith,  commander-in-chief 
of  the  military  forces  of  New  Hampshire,  at  his  headquarters  at  the 
Capitol. 

The  Tenth  and  Thirteenth  regiments  could  each  boast  of  a  brevet  gen 
eral  to  lead  and  a  city  to  welcome  them  ;  but  while  the  Twelfth  could 
claim  neither  generals  nor  cities  among  its  honors,  yet  its  fame  for  valor 
won  on  the  fields  of  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  and  Cold  Harbor,  had, 
in  common  with  the  Second  and  the  Fifth,  spread  all  over  the  State,  and 
made  it  welcome  everywhere  from  the  mountains  to  the  sea. 

Just  before  reaching  Hooksett  the  train  was  thrown  from  the  track  by 
means  of  a  broken  wheel  or  axle,  but  Chaplain  Higgens  of  the  Twelfth, 
who  had  his  leg  broken,  was  the  only  one  who  was  seriously  injured. 
This  was  especially  unfortunate  for  the  chaplain,  who  now  had  the 
sympathy  as  he  had  long  had  the  respect  of  the  whole  regiment.  Had 
he  not  attempted  to  avoid  the  pending  danger  by  jumping  from  the  train, 
he  would  probably  not  have  been  hurt.  But  though  greatly  regretting 
that  even  one  of  their  number  had  been  badly  disabled  \vhile  so  near 
the  end  of  his  journey  home,  yet  all  on  board  felt  thankful  indeed  that 
no  more  had  been  hurt,  and  that  none  of  their  comrades  had  been  fatally 
injured  or  killed. 

This  accident  delayed  the  train  so  that  it  did  not  arrive  at  Concord 
until  nearly  sunset.  The  delay  and  its  cause  had  been  telegraphed 
ahead,  and  not  a  little  anxiety  was  felt  by  the  large  number  of  relatives 
and  friends  of  the  returning  veterans,  who  had  gathered  there  from 
almost  every  part  of  the  State  to  meet  and  greet  them.  As  the  train 
rolled  into  the  depot,  cheer  after  cheer  went  up  from  the  assembled 
thousands,  and  the  enthusiastic  greeting  to  the  surviving  heroes  of  the 
three  regiments,  as  they  marched,  with  their  tattered  and  shot-rent  battle- 
flags,  from  the  depot  to  the  State  House  yard,  was  such  an  ovation  as 
only  the  honored  recipients  could  fully  appreciate. 

Just  two  years  and  nine  months  before  —  September  27,  1862 — the 
Twelfth  Regiment  had  marched  from  its  camp  of  rendezvous  upon  Con 
cord  Plains  to  the  same  depot,  on  the  morning  that  it  started  for  the 
"fearful  fields  of  fame."  Then,  as  now,  it  was  the  pride  of  every 
beholder,  but  for  different  reasons.  Then,  for  its  form  and  force  — 
more  than  a  thousand  strong  and  stalwart  men  —  as  a  promise  of 
brave  and  manly  action  ;  now,  though  but  a  sad  and  suffering  remnant 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  317 

of  itself,  for  a  record  of  heroism  and  valor  that  it  is  more  easy  to  envy 
than  equal.  The  same  regiment  in  name,  but  its  fame  had  been  pur 
chased  at  a  terrible  sacrifice.  The  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers 
still,  and  subject  to  state  authority  ;  but  oh,  what  a  change  that  less  than 
three  years  has  wrought  in  its  ranks  ! 

Brave  and  battle-scarred  defenders  of  your  country's  flag,  that  you 
have  never  left  nor  surrendered  upon  the  field,  where  are  your  comrades 
who  return  not  with  you  to  receive  our  plaudits  of  welcome  to-day? 

Some  lie  'neath  the  sod  of  the  fields  where  they  fell, 
And  some  rest  in  peace  where  their  kindred  dwell ; 
But  more,  many  more,  from  sickness  and  wounds, 
Fill  graves  in  the  hospital  burying  grounds. 

The  brigade  was  escorted  from  the  depot  to  the  Capitol  by  the  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  led  by  a  band  of  music,  and,  after  listening  to  speeches 
of  welcome  by  Governor  Smith  and  others,  arms  were  stacked,  equip 
ments  hung  thereon,  and  the  men,  in  lighter  marching  order  of  mind  and 
body  than  ever  before,  marched  to  the  Eagle  and  Phenix  hotels,  where  a 
bountiful  supper  awaited  them. 

The  few  of  the  Twelfth  who  did  not  find  lodgings  for  themselves  —  for 
all  were  at  liberty  to  go  where  they  chose  until  morning  —  encamped  for 
the  night  in  the  State  House  yard. 

A  few  days  before  the  arrival  of  the  veteran  regiments  composing  the 
brigade,  Governor  Smith  received  from  General  Devens  the  following 
eulogistic  letter  : 

GOVERNOR,  —  The  return  of  three  regiments  so  distinguished  as  the  Tenth, 
Twelfth,  and  Thirteenth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  temporarily  organixed  as 
a  provisional  brigade  under  command  of  Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  M.  T.  Donohoe, 
will  be  to  yourself  and  the  patriotic  citizens  of  your  State  an  occasion  of  extraor 
dinary  interest. 

All  these  regiments  have  recently  been  serving  in  various  brigades  of  this 
division,  and  the  high  appreciation  I  have  for  their  gallant  and  meritorious 
labors,  and  the  sincere  regard  and  affection  1  feel  for  the  officers  and  men  of 
these  organizations  as  friends  and  comrades,  who  have  been  tried  and  not  found 
wanting  in  so  many  desperate  conflicts,  prompt  me  to  express  to  you  my  sincere 
sympathy  in  the  joy  with  which,  now  that  the  contest  is  over  and  the  victory 
won,  they  will  be  received  in  their  triumphant  return  to  their  native  State. 
Having  bravely  and  honorably  borne  their  part  in  all  the  perils  and  privations  of 
three  years  of  battlefields;  having  left  behind  them  hundreds  of  their  brave 
companions  whose  lives  and  deaths  have  testified  sadly  yet  most  gloriouslv  of 
their  fidelity  to  duty,  these  survivors  will  receive  at  your  hands  all  the  acclama 
tions  and  honors  which  gratitude  can  bestow. 

Allow  me  to  recall  to  your  Excellency  very  hastily  and  imperfectly  the  history 
of  these  regiments.  *  *  *  * 

Such  is  an  extremelv  brief  sketch  of  the  achievements  of  the  noble  regiments 
who  now  return  to  you.  I  have  not  desired  to  enumerate  the  minor  conflicts 


318  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

and  skirmishes  in  which  they  have  been  engaged,  nor  have  I  called  your 
attention  to  the  terrible  loss  of  life  they  have  suffered  in  these  battles  which  have 
given  them  just  and  well  earned  renown,  and  have  finally  terminated  in  the 
complete  success  of  the  arms  of  the  Union. 

You  will  see,  sir,  too  clearly  b}'  their  thinned  ranks  the  terrible  ravages  war 
has  made,  and  at  what  price  victory  has  been  purchased.  Yet  while  you 
remember  sadly  the  brave  who  have  passed  awav,  it  will  be  with  just  pride  that 
you  will  recollect  how  bravely  they  have  conducted,  how  worthy  the  names  of 
freemen  they  have  shown  themselves  to  be,  and  how  proudly  they  have  upheld 
the  honor  of  the  State  which  sent  them  forth.  Their  tattered  ensigns  will  recall 
to  you  the  weary  night  marches,  the  wet  and  dreary  bivouacs,  and  the  fierce  and 
desperate  conflicts  over  which  they  have  waved  since  the  regiments  were  sent 
forth  with  these  emblems  of  the  state  and  national  sovereignty.  But  although 
these  men  return  to  you  inured  to  the  ragged  toils  of  war  and  bronzed  with  the 
smoke  of  battle,  it  will  not  be  found  that  they  have  forgotten  their  duties  as 
citizens  any  more  than  their  attachments  to  home.  In  all  their  trials  the  hope  of 
this  nation  has  been  present  with  them,  and  they  will  prove  worthy  of  all  the 
honor  and  regard  that  await  them. 

I  am,  governor,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

CHARLES  DEVENS, 
Brig,  and  Brevet  Ala j.   Gen.   U.  S.    I'.,   Commanding, 

The  next  forenoon  the  regiment  marched  down  to  "Camp  Gilmore," 
where  headquarters  were  established  for  a  few  days  until  final  discharge 
papers  could  be  prepared,  and  the  men  receive  what  was  still  due  them 
upon  the  government  pay-rolls  ;  and  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  a 
return  march  to  the  city  was  made,  and  the  colors  delivered  up  to  the 
adjutant-general  of  the  State  in  the  presence  of  Governor  Smith,  who, 
in  response  to  a  few  apt  words  from  Colonel  Barker,  expressing  the  hero 
ism  of  their  defense  and  the  hope  that  they  would  be  carefully  preserved, 
pledged  the  honor  of  the  State,  which  the  undying  memory  of  an  ever 
grateful  people  would  never  allow  to  dim  nor  tarnish,  that  the  battle-flags 
of  her  sons  should  be  kept  as  her  sacred  tokens  of  their  patriotism  and 
their  valor  so  long  as  a  single  thread  of  a  single  stripe  or  star  remained. 

Short  leaves  of  absence  were  now  granted  to  such  as  desired  to  go 
home  before  the  end  of  a  few  more  days  of  what  seemed  unnecessary 
delay,  but  most  of  the  "boys"  —  for  such  we  must  still  call  them  —  pre 
ferred  to  wait  until  they  could  go  and  stay  in  spite  of  any  military  power 
or  authority  to  again  call  them  away. 

In  the  mean  time  they  turned  in  their  guns  and  equipments,  quite  a 
number,  however,  deciding  to  keep  theirs  at  the  price  of  six  dollars, 
rather  than  part  with  them.  It  was  afterward  the  regret  of  many  that 
they  did  not  do  likewise.  They  did  not  then  sufficiently  consider  how 
valuable,  as  family  relics,  the  old  guns  and  equipments  would  sometime 
become  in  the  hands  of  their  descendants,  who  would  carefully  preserve 
and  proudly  exhibit  them. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers,  319 

On  the  3d  of  July  the  officers  and  men  of  the  regiment  were  paid  oft'  in 
full,  so  far  as  dollars  and  cents  could  compensate  them  for  their  toils,  pri 
vations,  sufferings,  and  dangers,  and  then  were  formed  in  dress  parade 
line  for  the  last  time,  to  listen  to  Colonel  Barker's  farewell  address, 
which  fittingly  closes  this  last  chapter  in  the  regular  line  of  their  history. 
When  Adjutant  Gale  finished  reading  the  address,  it  was  with  moistened 
eyes  and  broken  utterance,  instead  of  the  clear,  ringing  shout,  that 
three  cheers  were  given  for  their  brave  commander,  who  was  himself 
visibly  affected,  and  then  a  loud,  resounding  clap  of  hands,  and  the  New 
Hampshire  Volunteer  Mountaineers  had  broken  ranks  once  more  and 
forever. 

The  next  day  was  a  happy  one  indeed  for  the  disbanded  veterans  of 
the  old  Twelfth,  for  most  of  them  by  noon,  and  all  of  them  before  its 
close,  found  themselves  once  more  at  home,  some  for  the  first  time  since 
leaving  nearly  three  years  before,  and  there  again  to  live  and  act  as  free 
and  independent  citizens ;  and  it  was,  as  never  before  by  them  appreci 
ated,  our  great  and  glorious  Independence  Day. 

FAREWELL  ADDRESS. 

HEAD  QUARTERS   I2TH  N.   H.  VOLS., 

CONCORD,  N.   H.,  July  3,   1865. 

SOLDIERS,  —  The  day  to  which  we  have  all  looked  forward  so  long  and 
anxiously  has  at  last  arrived.  The  great  work  in  which  we  engaged  almost 
three  years  ago  is  accomplished,  and  with  the  knowledge  that  we  have  done  an 
honorable  part  toward  crushing  the  rebellion,  saving  the  union,  and  restoring 
peace,  we  have  been  permitted  to  return  to  our  dear  old  native  State,  and  are 
about  to  resume  our  peaceful  avocations. 

You  have  served  your  country  long  and  nobly.  By  your  deeds  you  have  won 
a  name  that  shall  live  forever.  From  the  bloody  fields  of  Fredericksburg,  Chan- 
cellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Front  Royal,  Swift  Creek,  Dairy's  Bluff,  Port  Walthal, 
Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg,  Cemetery  Hill,  Bermuda  Front,  and  your  triumphant 
entry  into  Richmond,  ages  hence  will  view  your  deeds,  and  the  generations 
of  centuries  to  come  will  honor  and  bless  you  for  the  legacy  gained  by  your  valor 
and  bequeathed  to  them. 

Since  my  connection  with  you  as  your  commanding  officer  your  conduct 
everywhere  has  been  a  source  of  pride  to  me.  For  bravery  in  battle  you  are 
second  to  no  regiment  that  New  Hampshire  has  ever  sent  to  the  field,  and  there 
is  no  State  that  can  boast  of  braver  troops  than  our  own  rock-bound  Granite 
State. 

For  discipline  and  drill  you  have  ever  excited  the  admiration  of  military  men. 
You  were  once  particularly  complimented  in  General  Orders  by  President  Lin 
coln  for  your  superior  soldierly  appearance  at  a  review  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  At  the  trial  inspection  of  the  past  winter,  though  you  were  just  from 
one  of  the  most  severe  campaigns  of  the  war,  while  your  rivals  were  fresh  from 
provost  duty,  you  surpassed  them  in  every  respect,  and  had  the  decision  been 
rendered  on  the  merits  of  the  inspection  instead  of  dre ss  coats  over  btouses,  you 
would  have  carried  off  the  palm. 


320  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

While  on  duty  in  and  around  the  cities  of  Manchester  and  Richmond,  Va.. 
your  gentlemanly  conduct  was  remarked  by  everyone ;  and  at  the  city  of  Dan 
ville,  when  flushed  with  all  the  victory  of  our  arms,  and  doing  duty  among  a 
conquered  people,  you  proved  that  honor  belongs  to  the  brave. 

By  your  ever  ready,  willing,  and  cheerful  obedience  to  all  orders  you  have 
rendered  the  duties  of  your  commanding  officer  pleasant,  and  words  are  inad 
equate  to  express  my  appreciation  of  your  services. 

We  have  delivered  up  to  the  state  authorities  our  old  war-worn  and  blood 
stained  colors,  which  have  been  made  dear  to  us  through  toil,  danger,  and  sacri 
fice  for  their  preservation.  Nobler  blood  never  coursed  in  the  veins  of  man,  or 
was  sacrificed  on  a  country's  altar,  than  has  been  poured  out  on  many  a  crim 
soned  field  for  them.  God  bless  the  noble  dead  —  our  comrades  still  —  who 
have  fallen  in  their  defense! 

Our  last  duties  as  a  military  organization  have  been  performed,  and  as  we  are 
about  to  separate,  perhaps  for  time,  we  must  say  farewell. 

As  you  have  been  faithful,  brave,  and  true  soldiers,  I  feel  assured  that  you  will 
be  good  and  worthy  citizens,  and  of  your  duties  as  such  I  will  not  venture  a 
word,  except  an  admonition  that  you  will  ever  greet  the  bereaved  friends  of  our 
comrades  that  we  have  buried  in  a  distant  land,  or  sent  home  to  rest  beneath 
their  native  sod,  with  kind  words  and  helping  hands. 

Soldiers,  I  am  proud  of  your  record,  and  the  highest  honor  that  I  ask  is  that, 
when  the  history  of  the  Rebellion  is  written,  my  name  may  be  recorded  as  the 
commander  of  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 

With  kindest  wishes  for  you  in  all  your  relations  of  life,  and  that  Heaven's 
richest  blessings  may  be  shed  upon  you  all,  I  bid  you  a  kind  and  affectionate 
farewell. 

THOMAS   E.   BARKER, 

Col.  i2th  N.  H.    Vols. 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Though  the  previous  chapter  closed  the  military  career  of  the  Twelfth 
Regiment,  so  far  as  its  marches,  battles,  and  principal  matters  of  record, 
while  in  the  service,  have  furnished  salient  points  along  its  historic  line, 
yet  there  is  much  of  interest  that  remains  to  be  written  before  its  history 
can  be  called  complete,  or  within  a  near  approach  thereto,  which  is  as 
much  and  more  than  can  reasonably  be  expected. 

And  among  the  many  subjects,  incidents,  and  anecdotes  that  will  be 
referred  to  and  related  in  this  and  the  succeeding  chapter,  some  may  be 
considered  as  reinforcements  of  the  main  line,  already  formed,  while 
others  more  properly  belong  to  the  rear  guard.  And,  without  respect  to 
their  order  in  the  column  of  review,  this  chapter,  as  indicated  by  the 
above  engraving,  will  commence  with  a  brief  account  of  the  origin  and 
dedication  of  the  regimental  monument  that  now  marks  the  spot  where 
the  Twelfth  fought  on  the  field  of  Gettysburg. 

Encouraged  by  a  gift  of  five  hundred  dollars  from  the  State  to  aid 
every  regiment  or  organization  therefrom,  that  were  engaged  in  the  battle 
of  Gettysburg,  in  erecting  monuments  on  that  ever  memorable  field  to 
mark  the  places  where  all  the  sons  of  New  Hampshire  fought,  the 
Second,  Fifth,  and  Twelfth  regiments  and  the  Sharpshooters  have 
erected  memorials,  shaped  from  the  granite  of  their  native  hills,  that  will 
long  stand  to  mark  the  places  where  they  fought. 

In  1887  the  Twelfth  Regiment  Association  chose  a  committee  of 
Captains  R.  W.  Musgrove  and  A.  W.  Bartlett  and  Lieut.  Rufus  E.  Gale 
to  decide  upon  a  design,  and  contract  for  the  construction  and  erection  of 
a  monument  for  the  purpose  and  upon  the  field  above  referred  to.  The 
whole  work  was  done,  according  to  contract,  by  Thomas  Nawn  of  Con 
cord  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  committee  and  the  regiment,  and 
was  dedicated  September  29  in  the«presence  of  quite  a  large  collection  of 
the  members  of  the  regiment  and  citizens  of  New  Hampshire  who  were 
accompanying  them  on  an  excursion  to  Washington,  Richmond,  and  the 
battle-fields  of  Gettysburg,  Antietam,  Chancellorsville,  and  Fredericks- 
burg,  including  among  other  places  of  interest  a  visit  to  Luray  Cave  in 
Virginia. 

The  monument,  as  will  be  seen,  somewhat  resembles  in  shape  and 
style  a  Grecian  sarcophagus  surmounted  by  a  knapsack.  The  dimen 
sions  of  its  base  are  6  feet  10  inches  by  4  feet  6  inches  ;  its  die  is  6  feet 


322  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

2  inches  by  3  feet  8  inches,  and  the  cap  6  feet  8  inches  by  4  feet  4  inches. 
Its  total  height,  from  sub-base  to  apex,  is  8  feet  and  4  inches,  but  stand 
ing,  as  it  does,  upon  a  mound  that  covers  an  elevated  foundation,  and 
the  whole  upon  a  billow-like  swell  of  land  considerably  higher  than  the 
road  in  front  or  ground  in  rear,  it  looks  to  be  much  higher  than  it 
measures,  and  its  appearance  is  both  imposing  and  inspiring.  It  was 
worked  out  of  unblemished  blocks  of  the  choicest  Concord  granite  by 
the  most  expert  and  skillful  hands,  and  is  so  appropriately  and  beauti 
fully  artistic  in  design  and  finish,  that  it  has  often  been  pronounced  by 
competent  judges  to  be  one  of  the  nicest  among  the  nearly  three  hundred 
stone  and  bronze  memorials  that  now  mark  regimental  and  battalion 
positions  on  the  monumental  field  of  Gettysburg. 

From  the  centre  of  the  nicely  polished  front  of  the  die  a  panel  was 
chiseled  out  so  as  to  leave  therein,  in  outstanding  yet  protected  letters, 
the  following  inscription  : 

JULY    2,     1863.  ENGAGED,    224. 

KILLED,    2O  ;       WOUNDED,    73  ;       DIED    OF    WOUNDS,    6. 

Beneath  this  is  a  couplet  from  Holmes's  pathetic  poem,  entitled  "  Brother 
Jonathan's  Lament  for  Sister  Caroline,"  which  was  written  upon  the 
occasion  of  South  Carolina's  legislative  act  of  secession  : 

"  Our  Union  is  river,  lake,  ocean,  and  sky; 
Man  breaks  not  the  medal  when  God  cuts  the  die." 

The  two  remaining  lines  of  the  verse  are  — 

"  Though  darkened  with  sulphur,  though  cloven  with  steel, 
The  blue  arch  will  brighten,  the  waters  will  heal." 

On  the  base,  as  can  be  plainly  seen  in  the  picture,  is  deeply  engraved  — 

I2TH    N.    II.    VOLS. 

On  either  end  is  a  raised  diamond,  representing  the  badge  of  the  Third 
Corps,  to  which  the  regiment  at  that  time  belonged,  and  in  which  it 
served  most  of  the  time  while  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Within  each 
of  these  diamonds  is  cut  — 

1ST    BRIG.,    2D    DIV.,    30    CORPS. 

Upon  the  back  side  of  the  die  is  the  following  inscription  : 

This  regiment  was  raised  in  four  days  ;  served  nearly  three  years 
in  the  armies  of  the  Potomac  and  the  James ;  and  lost,  in  killed  and 
wounded,  over  50  per  cent  of  those  engaged  at  ChancellorsvUlc  and 
Cold  Harbor,  and  of  its  original  number  while  in  the  service. 

It  marched  to  this  jield  on  the  night  of  the  first,  fo^lght  here  on 
the  second,  and  supported  the  centre  against  Picketfs  charge  on  the 
third. 


THE    TWELFTH    REGIMENT    MONTMENT    AT    GETTYSHl'UG. 


N~cw  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


323 


The  cost  of  the  monument,  exclusive,  was  eight  hundred  and  seven 
dollars,  over  three  hundred  being  contributed  by  members  of  the  regiment. 

The  dedicatory  exercises  commenced  about  3  o'clock  ;  the  forenoon, 
and  until  a  late  dinner,  being  taken  up  in  visiting  the  most  important  and 
interesting  parts  of  the  battle-ground,  and  listening  to  short  explanatory 
lectures  from  Col.  John  B.  Bachelder,  government  historian  of  the  battle, 
who  joined  the  excursionists  on  their  way  to  Gettysburg  and  conducted 
them  over  the  field. 

After  a  short  but  eloquent  prayer  by  Rev.  Thomas  Tyrie,  a  veteran  of 
the  First  New  Hampshire  Cavalry,  the  monument  was  unveiled  by  Mrs. 
H.  B.  Fowler  and  Mrs.  E.  G.  Musgrove,  who  removed  the  national  flag 
that  covered  it,  and  Surgeon  H.  B.  Fowler,  in  a  few  expressive  words, 
hailed  it  in  behalf  of  the  living  and  the  dead,  whose  deeds  it  now  stood 
forth  in  all  its  grandeur  and  beauty  to  commemorate,  and  formally 
presented  it  as  unveiled  to  a  grateful  country  and  admiring  world. 

Miss  Ellen  Jenkins,  one  of  the  daughters  of  the  regiment,  then  read  a 
poem  written  for  the  occasion  by  Mrs.  Dr.  John  Wheeler,  of  Pittsfield, 
N.  H..  and  Capt.  A.  W.  Bartlett  delivered  the  oration. 

Capt.  R.  W.  Musgrove,  chairman  of  the  regimental  committee  above 
referred  to,  next  formally  presented  the  monument,  in  behalf  of  the  sur 
viving  members  of  the  regiment,  to  the  "  Gettysburg  Battlefield  Memorial 
Association,"  and  the  accepting  of  the  trust,  in  a  few  appropriate  remarks 
by  Mr.  J.  M.  Krauth,  secretary  of  that  organization,  closed  the  exercises. 

During  the  dedication  a  shower  cloud  arose  whose  aspect  of  rain, 
which  begun  to  fall  while  he  was  speaking,  hastened  the  orator  to  a 
close,  and  abbreviated  somewhat  the  closing  exercises.* 

This  reminded  the  veterans  present  of  the  terrible  battle-storm  that, 
coming  from  the  same  direction,  and  at  nearly  the  same  time  of  day, 
burst  and  beat  upon  them  while  standing  upon  the  same  spot  more  than 
quarter  of  a  century  before. 

The  poem,  oration,  and  presentation  address,  having  been  preserved, 
are  here  given  in  their  order.  The  unveiling  salutary  by  Doctor  Fowler 
was  impromtu  and  no  report  of  it  can  now  be  found. 

POEM. 


BY    MARY    H.    WHEELER. 


STEP  softly  !  this  is  Gettysburg, 
And  here  our  soldiers  came ; 

The  hills  that  are  around  us 
And  the  skies  remain  the  same. 

With  Cemetery  Ridge  to  right, 
And  Round  Top  there  you  see  ; 

And  here  the  field  and  road  they  crossed 
In  eighteen  sixty-three. 


But  where  are  now  the  multitudes, 
The  swaying  lines  of  blue? 

Where  is  the  smoke  of  battle 
And  its  dust  and  darkness  too? 

Where  is  the  sound  of  shot  and  shell, 
The  cannon's  deeper  roar? 

Where  are  the  smoke-grimed  faces 
Of  the  comrades  seen  no  more? 


'  Sec  mention  of  in  oration. 


324 


History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


Step  softly !  for  these  blades  of  grass 

With  heroes'  blood  were  fed  ; 
And  human  hearts  are  blended 

In  the  soil  whereon  we  tread. 

These  rocks  have  heard,  this  sky  received, 

The  moans  of  dying  men, 
When  ranks  of  naked  souls  passed  on 

To  fields  beyond  our  ken. 

And  many  a  mother,  bowed  with  grief, 

Drooped  slowly  year  by  year ; 
And  widows  wept  and  children  wailed 

For  those  who  perished  here. 

The  nation  stood  in  silent  awe 

When  first  the  types  revealed 
The  valor  of  her  dauntless  sons 

Upon  this  bloody  field. 

And  in  the  tide  of  war  that  rolled 

Across  this  valley  then, 
Were  any  worthier  or  more  brave 

Than  our  New  Hampshire  men? 

The  Granite  State  may  proudly  own 

Her  regiments,  and  tell 
Where  fought  her  Second  and  her  Fifth, 

And  her  good  Twelfth  as  well. 

Her  Twelfth,  those  patriotic  boys, 
Who  left  the  schools  and  farms. 

And  rushed  at  Father  Abram's  call 
In  eager  haste  to  arms. 

The  Twelfth,  or  what  remained  thereof, 

Since  from  its  riven  ranks 
Red  war  had  garnered  ample  sheaves 

On  Rappahannock's  banks, 

Footsore  from  long  and  weary  march, 

Arriving  in  the  night, 
With  little  time  for  rest  or  food  — 

We  find  them  in  the  fight. 

Here  in  the  battle  front  they  stood, 

'Mid  smoke  and  flying  lead, 
With  gleam  of  flashing  musketry 

On  faces  of  their  dead. 

And  prompt  to  do,  and  brave  to  dare, 

And  ready  to  obey, 
They  fought  as  only  heroes  fight, 

On  that  midsummer  day. 

With  cannon  thundering  to  left 

And  belching  death  and  woe, 
Behold  them  grimly  changing  front 

To  meet  the  flanking  foe ! 

Here  French,  with  sword  in  hand,  went  down 

In  life's  delightful  morn, 
With  love  and  hope  encircling  him 

And  glory  beckoning  on  ; 


And  Howe,  who  bore  our  flag  of  state 

Firmly  to  faltering  breath, 
Nor  yielded  then  his  precious  charge 

But  grasped  its  folds  in  death  ; 

And  Parker,  who  the  stars  and  stripes 

Upheld  with  loyal  pride, 
And  falling  wounded  unto  death, 

Still  "  Save  the  colors  !  "  cried. 

Our  nation's  starry  standard  see, 

When  all  its  guard  lay  low, 
By  ready  hands  still  borne  aloft 

Or  shaken  at  the  foe. 

O  words,  dull  words,  how  weak  they  are, 

Employed  by  tongue  or  pen, 
To  picture  deeds  engraven  here 

In  blood  and  lives  of  men! 

Not  all  the  brave  in  battle  die, 

Nor  are  all  heroes  slain  ; 
And  while  we  sorrow  for  the  lost, 

We  prize  those  who  remain. 

Where  are  they?     These  with  frosted  hair, 

These  quiet  men  we  see  ; 
Are  these  the  bold  New  Hampshire  boys 

Who  fought  in  sixty-three? 

Yes,  quiet  now,  but  should  their  flag 

Be  menaced  by  a  foe, 
You'd  see  the  old-time  courage  rise, 

The  old-time  valor  glow  ; 

And,  like  the  war  horse  of  the  tale, 

At  the  first  bugle  strain, 
You  'd  find  them  falling  into  line 

Prepared  to  fight  again. 

The  years  with  steady  step  march  on 

As  conquering  armies  do  ; 
They  level  fortress,  trench,  and  mound, 

And  feud  and  fury  too. 

They  set  new  boundaries  to  lands, 

New  rulers  on  the  throne, 
And  pillage  from  the  precious  things 

We  treasure  as  our  own. 

But  long  this  granite  sentinel 

Its  silent  watch  will  keep, 
Where  fought  our  valiant  Twelfth  so  well 

And  where  its  fallen  sleep ; 

And  long  New  Hampshire  tell  their  roll 
And  count  their  brave  deeds  o'er, 

And  'mid  her  treasured  trophies  hold 
The  tattered  flags  they  bore. 

And  longer  yet  shall  Liberty 

Her  starry  banner  wave, 
And  grateful  generations  own 

The  land  they  helped  to  save. 


New  Hampshire.    Volunteers.  325 

ORATION. 


BY    CAPT.    A.     \V.     BAKTLKTT. 


Standing,  as  we  now  are,  upon  soil  made  sacred  by  the.  blood  of  the  patriot 
martyrs,  who  here  olVered  themselves  as  a  sacrifice  for  their  country's  freedom 
and  our  national  redemption,  we  reali/.e,  as  never  before,  how  impotent  are 
words  from  mortal  lips  to  do  justice  to  those  whose  immortal  deeds  shall  outlive 
the  monumental  granite  which  we  have  come  hither  to  dedicate  to  their  memory. 

Upon  such  an  occasion  as  this,  silence  is  more  impressively  eloquent  than 
speech,  for  we  seem  then  to  be  listening  to  the  spirit  voices  of  that  vast  army  of 
the  heroic  dead  who  fought  and  fell  in  the  great  struggle  for  liberty  and  union 
that  culminated  upon  this  field  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago. 

It  is  here  that  the  historic  past  and  the  prophetic  future  of  our  country  arise 
before  our  mental  vision,  and  solemnly  remind  us  of  the  obligations  and  respon 
sibilities  of  the  living  present. 

We  seem  to  be  standing,  as  indeed  we  are,  on  the  high  dividing  line  between 
the  right  and  the  wrong,  the  old  and  the  new ;  not  only  as  relating  to  the  eman 
cipation  of  a  race  and  a  "new  birth  of  freedom  "  in  our  own  land  and  time,  but 
in  the  whole  history  of  the  world's  civilization. 

Other  great  and  decisive  battlefields  have  changed  the  boundaries  of  empires 
and  fixed  the  destiny  of  nations,  but  not  until  the  lightning  flash  of  victory 
illuminated  the  dark  and  threatening  battle-cloud  that  gathered  in  awful  moment 
and  power  around  the  blood-drenched  crest  of  Cemetery  Ridge,  did  the  silver 
lining,  the  bow  of  promise,  and  the  sun  of  liberty,  appear  to  gladden,  cheer,  and 
bless,  as  never  before,  the  people  of  every  land  and  clime  on  the  face  of  the  earth. 

This  is  not  Marathon,  nor  Morgarten,  nor  Bannockburn  ;  but  greater  than 
either,  and  high  above  them  all,  the  name  of  Gettysburg  shall  shine  as  a  star  of 
promise  in  the  zenith  heaven  to  light  up  the  pathway  of  the  nations  down 
through  the  ages  of  time. 

Here,  as  upon  no  other  battlefield,  shall  the  Christian  patriot  from  every 
nation  come,  and  in  humble  reverence  bow  the  head  and  bend  the  knee  at  this 
consecrated  shrine  of  civil  and  religious  freedom. 

How  true  it  is  that  great  and  enduring  blessings  spring  not  up  like  prairie 
flowers,  spontaneous  on  every  hand,  to  please  the  eye  with  their  beauty  and 
sweeten  the  air  with  their  fragrance,  but  are  the  result  of  conflict  and  suffering 
stern  and  severe ;  the  offspring,  it  may  be,  of  the  discordant  and  destructive 
elements  of  hatred  and  passion,  directed  and  controlled  by  the  supreme  wisdom 
of  One  who  makes  the  wrath  of  man  to  praise  Him.  Out  of  chaotic  darkness 
and  from  the  elemented  strife  of  conflicting  forces  came  forth  light  and  harmony 

"When  the  radiant  morn  of  creation  broke, 
And  the  world  in  the  smile  of  God  awoke." 

And  thus  from  the  throes  of  chaos  came  forth  order,  and  the  great  physical  laws 
of  universal  creation  were  established  amid  the  "music  of  the  spheres,"  as  they 
first  rolled  from  the  hand  of  their  Omnipotent  Creator.     And,  as  in  the  material, 
so  in  the  immaterial  or  moral  world — light  out  of  darkness  !    life  out  of  death  ! 
Not  only  has  the  truth  of  this  been  sanctified  and   solemnized  by  the   suffering 


326  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

and  death  of  the  Saviour  of  the  world  in  the  great  plan  of  human  redemption, 
but  we  see  it  illustrated  by  the  lives  of  men  and  the  history  of  nations. 

But  where  on  the  calendar  of  time  do  wre  find  such  an  example  of  its  truth 
and  power  in  the  affairs  of  men  as  is  found  in  the  history  of  our  own  country? 
It  was  only  by  seven  long  years  of  conflict,  toil,  and  suffering  that  our  Revolu 
tionary  sires  laid  with  their  own  hands  and  cemented  with  their  own  blood  the 
foundation  stones  of  this  Government.  But  in  the  virgin  soil  of  the  republic 
they  unfortunately  suffered  the  deadly  upas  of  slavery  to  take  root  and  grow,  side 
by  side  with  the  tree  of  liberty,  until  it  was  almost  equally  dangerous  to  the  life 
of  the  nation  to  undertake  to  remove,  or  longer  allow  it  to  stand  ;  and  our  ablest 
statesmen  looked  out  into  the  threatening  future  with  fear  and  trembling  for  the 
result. 

At  last  the  inevitable  conflict  and  the  dark  hours  came  on,  not,  as  was  feared, 
to  tear  asunder  and  destroy,  but  to  reunite,  strengthen,  and  perpetuate ;  and  out 
of  the  agonizing  throes  of  a  civil  war,  such  as  no  other  nation  could  have  sur 
vived,  America  stands  forth  the  laurel-crowned  victor  of  the  New  World, 
"redeemed,  regenerated,  and  disenthralled  by  the  irresistable  genius  of  universal 
emancipation."  And  thus  life  and  light  for  the  future  came  out  of  the  darkness 
and  death  of  the  past. 

Long,  then,  after  this  generation  has  passed  away  will  the  free  citizens  of  a 
mighty  republic  meet  upon  this  great  monumental  battlefield  of  the  world,  and 
proudly  claim  lineage  from  those  who  here  fought  to  save  from  the  foot  of  rebel 
invasion  that  which  their  fathers  had  wrenched  from  the  hand  of  oppression. 
And  among  those  will  come  the  sons  and  daughters  of  New  Hampshire  to  point 
out  where  her  gallant  Second,  her  "Fighting  Fifth,"  and  her  heroic  Twelfth,  as 
well  as  her  no  less  valiant  company  of  Sharpshooters  and  Light  Artillery,  fought 
as  defenders  of  the  nation's  life. 

While  the  history  of  these  organizations  is  full  of  brave  and  noble  deeds,  and 
each  made  a  record  of  glory  here,  it  is  only  of  the  Twelfth  that  I  shall  be 
expected  to  speak.  This  regiment,  the  survivors  of  which,  with  the  aid  of  the 
State,  have  erected  this  lasting  tribute  to  the  memory  of  their  comrades  who  fell 
upon  this  field,  was  raised  by  the  shores  of  the  beautiful  lakes  that  reflect  the 
lofty  mountains  that  stand  sentinels  of  liberty  in  our  own  loved  "Switzerland  of 
America."  Stalwart  and  sturdy  as  their  native  hills,  averaging  in  physical 
development  a  standard  scarcely  equalled  by  any  other  regiment  from  New 
England  or  the  North,  they  went  forth  from  peaceful,  happy  homes  twenty-six 
years  ago  to  battle  on  southern  fields  for  the  preservation  of  the  same  heritage  of 
freedom  that  their  fathers  had  fought  for  at  Bunker  Hill  and  Bennington  nearly 
a  century  before. 

Of  its  marches  and  battles,  and  their  record  of  suffering  and  sacrifice  from  that 
time  to  the  end  of  the  war,  except  as  relating  to  this  decisive  field,  there  is 
neither  time  nor  need  for  me  to  refer.  Although  less  than  a  year  in  the  service, 
such  had  been  the  sad  havoc  of  death  by  disease  and  wounds,  that  it  formed  its 
battle-line  near  yonder  grove  on  the  morning  of  the  second  day  of  July,  1863, 
with  less  than  one  fourth  of  its  original  number  and  little  more  than  one  half  as 
many  men  as  were  cut  from  its  ranks  two  months  before  on  the  sanguinary  field 
of  Chancellorsville.  Of  the  few  still  living  who  answered  to  the  roll-call  on  that 
eventful  morn,  but  twelve  are  allowed  to  enjoy  the  high  privilege,  of  meeting 
with  us  here  to-day. 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  327 

Though  twenty-five  years  and  more  have  passed  since  you,  veteran  comrades, 
weary,  worn,  and  weather-bronzed,  with  aching  limbs  and  blistered  feet  and 
covered  with  the  sweat  and  dust  of  the  march,  tirst  bivouacked  on  the  soil  of 
Gettysburg,  yet  how  vividly  it  all  comes  back  to  you  now !  You  are  standing 
upon  the  same  ground  ;  you  recognize  the  same  hills  and  valleys ;  you  feel  the 
genial  rays  of  the  same  bright  orb  above  (though  yonder  cloud  now,  like  the 
smoke  of  battle  then,  obscures  his  brightness),  and  are  privileged,  thank  God, 
to  gaze  upon  the  same  old  flag,  with  new  stars  added  but  none  obliterated,  still 
floating  upon  Cemetery  Ridge  ;  but  how  different  the  occasion,  how  changed  the 
scene  !  It  was  about  this  time  in  the  afternoon  of  that  awful  strife  that  you  met 
the  enemy  on  the  very  spot  where  you  now  stand,  but  how  great  the  contrast 
between  that  and  this  hour's  exercises!  Because  of  the  memory  so  painfully 
vivid  of  that,  how  solemnly  impressive  is  this!  Then  was  the  fiery  battle-blast 
of  iron  bolts  and  leaden  hail,  cutting  through  your  ranks  and  covering  the 
ground  with  the  dying  and  the  dead  ;  but  now  it  is  the  cooling  breeze  and  the 
gentle  rain,  falling  like  tear-drops  from  Heaven  to  wash  the  dust  from  this  mon 
ument  that  we  now  dedicate  to  the  sacred  memory  and  undying  fame  of  those 
who  perished  here. 

Then  yonder  heights  were  covered  with  artillery,  hot  in  the  work  of  destruc 
tion  and  death,  and  leaden  hail  poured  from  the  livid  battle-clouds  that  hung 
round  their  base  and  spread  over  these  valleys.  Then  the  air  quivered  and  the 
ground  trembled  with  the  rush  and  shock  of  battle.  Then  was  the  charge  and 
the  rout,  with  the  rebel  yell  and  the  union  shout;  the  screech  of  flying  shot  and 
the  shriek  of  dying  men ;  the  crash  of  bursting  shells  and  the  clash  of  resound 
ing  arms.  Then  was  the  first  part  of  Dante's  Inferno  dramatized  by  the 
light  of  the  cannon's  flash,  and  death's  high  carnival  pictured  in  blood  upon  the 
scenes.  And  thus,  for  three  long  days,  the  awful  tragedy  of  war  went  on,  until 
these  green  fields  were  red  with  the  blood  of  the  wounded  and  dead  of  the  two 
great  armies  of  the  North  and  the  South  in  the  dreadful  struggle  for  the  life  of  the 
nation  ;  the  one  to  preserve,  the  other  to  destroy.  But  now  the  terrible  storm  is 
over  and  the  earthquake  shock  has  passed ;  and  in  the  cloudless  sky  above, 
Columbia's  star  shines  so  much  higher  and  brighter  than  ever  before  that  the 
nations  of  the  Old  World 

"  No  longer  question,  as  they  upward  gaze, 
Whether  it's  the  meteor's  flash  or  the  sun's  bright  blaze." 

You  remember,  comrades,  and  can  never  forget  the  many  days  and  nights  of 
forced  marches  that  brought  you  from  the  battle-lined  shores  of  the  Rappahan- 
nock  to  meet  the  enemies  of  your  country  once  more  face  to  face  ;  but  now,  for 
the  first  and  last  time,  on  the  free  soil  of  a  northern  state.  You  remember  the 
last  long  midnight  march  of  twenty  miles ;  of  your  unexpected  contact  with  and 
fortunate  escape  from  the  rebel  lines ;  and  how,  by  the  light  of  the  moon,  you 
saw  the  hand  of  your  watch  point  the  silent,  solemn  hour  of  one,  before  you  sunk 
almost  exhausted  upon  your  arms  to  rest.  Alas!  to  how  many  of  your  little 
band  of  veteran  heroes  it  was  the  last  night's  rest  on  earth  —  the  last  short  sleep 
of  the  brave  before  the  long,  untroubled  sleep  of  the  grave. 

Scarcely  had  the  dawn  heralded  the  approach  of  that  never-to-be-forgotten 
day,  when  you  were  called  to  arms,  and  soon,  moving  forward  a  short  dis 
tance,  formed  your  first  line  of  battle.  Then  came  the  hours  of  waiting  and 


328  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

watching  for  the  enemy's  advance  which  was  every  moment  expected.  The 
sun  has  risen  half  way  in  his  upward  course,  and  not  a  sound  of  battle  is  yet 
heard  ;  but  you  know  too  well  that  it  is  the  portentous  lull  before  the  dreadful 
storm,  and  soon  the  scattering  fire  of  the  skirmish  line  gives  warning  of  its  near 
approach. 

At  noon  you  are  again  advanced  to  support  Seeley's  battery  at  the  apple 
orchard,  then  just  to  the  rear  of  the  house  upon  my  left,  though  the  trees  no  longer 
stand  to  mark  the  spot ;  and  a  little  later,  moving  a  few  rods  to  the  right  and  front, 
you  take  position  here  with  the  other  regiments  of  your  brigade  along  the  line  of 
this  Emmitsburg  road.  One  —  two  —  three,  the  hours  pass,  and  you  anxiously 
watch  the  slow  descending  sun ;  for,  still  unengaged,  you  begin  to  hope  that  the 
evening  may  come  as  the  morning  has  gone,  and  find  you  untouched  by  the  fire 
of  battle. 

Delusive  shadow  of  hope,  how  soon  to  be  dispelled  !  For  almost  before  you 
cherish  it,  the  skirmish  fire  on  your  left  swells  into  the  tempest  of  battle,  and 
with  the  crash  and  roar  of  musketry  and  artillery  extending  toward  the  right, 
will  soon  burst  in  all  its  fury  upon  you. 

It  is  the  determined  attack  of  Longstreet's  solid  columns,  hurled  upon  the  left 
of  Sickles's  corps  at  the  peach  orchard ;  and  although  the  iron-nerved  and 
lion-hearted  veterans  of  Birney  and  Graham  are  there  and  the  contest  is  terrific, 
yet  no  power  of  man  can  withstand  the  cyclone  of  ruin  and  death  that  envelopes 
them,  and  the  fatal  angle  is  crushed  in  and  swept  away. 

But  you  have  no  longer  to  wait  and  listen,  for  look !  the  skirmishers  are 
coming  in,  firing  as  they  run,  while  close  behind  them  you  see  the  long, 
unbroken  lines  of  rebel  gray  swiftly  approaching  to  attack  your  front.  They  are 
the  fresh  .troops  of  General  Anderson's  division,  and  are  greeted  with  shot  and 
shell  from  Turnbull's  and  Seeley's  batteries  on  your  right'and  left;  but  on  they 
come,  while  the  same  missiles  of  destruction  from  their  own  batteries,  brought 
rapidly  into  position  on  yonder  crest,  are  cutting  through  your  ranks. 

Steady,  men  !  Stand  firm,  New  Hampshire  Twelfth  !  for  the  long  expected 
and  dreaded  hour  of  your  trial  has  at  last  come  !  They  are  now  within  range  of 
your  muskets,  and  you  open  upon  them  a  rapid  and  well  directed  fire. 

But  before  you  can  stay  the  tide  in  your  front,  above  the  roar  of  battle  and 
sharper  than  the  bugle's  blast  you  hear  the  well  known  charging  yell  of  Barks- 
dale's  forces,  who,  having  nothing  now  to  oppose  them  on  the  left,  come 
sweeping  down  like  an  avalanche  upon  your  flank.  Now  is  the  crisis  moment  of 
the  trying  hour;  for  just  as  you  resolve  to  stand  or  fall,  conquer  or  die,  upon  this 
spot  already  within  the  vortex  of  the  battle,  comes  the  startling  order  from 
General  Humphreys  to  change  front  to  the  rear  I 

Knowing  it  to  be  little  less  than  impossible  for  any  troops,  however  experienced 
or  disciplined,  to  obey  such  an  order  with  their  front  and  flank  heavily  engaged, 
General  Carr  sends  a  staff'  officer  to  inquire  of  Captain  Langley,  in  command  of 
the  regiment,  if  his  men  can  be  depended  upon.  "Yes,"  is  the  ready  response, 
"  if  I  can  make  them  understand  the  order."  "Then  shout  it  in  the  ears  of 
every  company  commander,  and  let  them  watch  the  motion  of  your  sword  as 
the  signal  for  its  execution." 

But  seconds  are  years  now,  and  moments  end  in  eternity  to  many  of  your 
brave  comrades  who  are  falling  at  every  step ;  but  the  living  close  in  to  fill  up 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.    '  329 

the  gaps  of  the  dead,  and  the  order  is  executed  with  such  steadiness  and  precision 
as  to  convince  the  foe  that  something  more  than  raw  militia  lines  is  still  before 
them.  But  nearly  one  half  of  your  number  have  already  been  killed  or 
wounded.  Lieutenant  French,  brave  and  faithful  unto  death,  falls  dead  at  the 
feet  of  Captain  Shackford,  from  whom  he  is  receiving  the  order,  and  a  few 
minutes  later  both  color  bearers,  Parker  and  Howe,  and  most  of  the  color  guard 
lie  dead  or  bleeding  from  mortal  wounds. 

But  the  enemy  is  swinging  round  his  right,  that  already  overlaps  you,  and 
before  you  can  hardly  check  his  advance  you  are  ordered  to  fall  back  a  short  dis 
tance,  when  you  again  face  about  and  open  fire  upon  his  lines.  But  the  fight 
now  is  as  short  as  it  is  desperate  ;  for,  with  the  foe  upon  three  sides,  retreat  or 
capture  seems  the  only  alternative,  and  your  whole  division  is  ordered  back  upon 
the  supports  that  are  now  coming  up  from  the  Second,  Fifth,  and  Sixth  corps. 

With  only  twenty-five  or  thirty  men  left  together  to  defend  the  colors,  you  once 
more  face  the  rushing,  crushing  torrent  of  lead  and  steel  that  is  sweeping  the 
field,  forcing  the  Third  Corps  back  from  its  advanced  position  on  the  right  as  it 
has  already  done  on  the  left,  and  led  by  the  gallant  and  noble  hearted 
Lieutenant  Fernal,  who  has  since  gone  to  his  reward,  you  advance  in  the  front 
line  of  support,  helping  to  retake  the  ground  and  prisoners  you  had  lost,  and 
driving  the  rebel  lines  back  until  you  occupy  nearly  the  same  position  as  when 
first  attacked.  The  apple  orchard,  the  wheat  field,  and  Emmitsburg  road,  so 
stubbornly  defended  and  reluctantly  yielded,  are  yours  again  ;  and  one  long,  loud, 
triumphant  cheer  goes  up,  such  as  you  will  never  forget  nor  hear  again. 

Would  that  time  were  mine  to  speak  of  the  many  acts  of  individual  heroism 
and  patriotic  devotion  here  performed  by  those  who  fell  and  those  that  still  sur 
vive  ;  but  history  shall  preserve  them,  and  their  result  and  effect  shall  be  known 
and  felt  when  this  monument  shall  no  longer  hold  its  record  or  even  stand  to 
mark  the  advance  line  of  "The  New  Hampshire  Mountaineers"  on  the  field  of 
Gettysburg. 

How  fitting  then,  upon  this  rise  of  ground  where  you  first  met  and  last  drove 
the  enemy,  and  around  which  so  many  of  your  brave  comrades  fell,  to  bring  the 
enduring  granite  from  your  native  hills,  and  erect  a  monumental  tribute  to  the 
patriotism  and  valor  of  the  living  and  the  dead.  But  the  battle  is  over  and  the 
bugle  has  long  since  sounded  the  recall.  Come  back  then,  veteran  comrade, 
from  this  sad  reverie  of  war,  and  listen  once  more  to  the  sweet  sounding  reveille 
of  peace;  for  the  dark  night  of  woe  has  passed,  and  the  effulgent  light  of  a 
glorious  morn  shines  above  and  around  us. 

The  hardships  and  sufierings  of  the  march  and  the  Held,  like  a  dream  as  they 
sometimes  seem,  have  passed  away,  and  w-ith  them  let  us  hope  all  the  bitterness 
and  hatred  between  the  blue  and  the  gray.  No  longer,  as  before  the  war,  united 
in  name  but  divided  in  sentiment,  nor,  as  at  one  time  feared,  a  union  pinned 
together  with  bayonets,  to  last  only  while  exercising  the  military  power  to 
enforce  it;  but  now  by  the  wisdom  and  mercy  of  Him  who  hath  directed  and 
preserved,  we  rejoice  that  ours  is  not  only 

"  The  union  of  lakes,  the  union  of  lands, 

The  union  of  states  none  can  sever;" 
but  — 

••  The  union  of  hearts,  the  union  of  hands, 

And  the  flag  of  our  Union  forever.'1 


33°  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

PRESENTATION  ADDRESS. 


BY    CAPT.    R.    W.    MUSGROVE. 


It  becomes  my  pleasant  duty,  in  behalf  of  the  veterans  of  the  Twelfth  Regi 
ment  of  New  Hampshire  Volunteers  and  of  the  State  they  honored,  to  make 
formal  delivery  to  you,  sir,  as  the  representative  of  the  Gettysburg  Battlefield 
Association,  this  granite  monument  which  has  been  placed  here  to  mark  the 
spot  where  brave  men  from  the  granite  hills  of  New  Hampshire  stood  shoulder 
to  shoulder  and  fought  and  died  for  the  preservation  of  the  union. 

These  men  from  the  old  Granite  State  assisted  on  those  memorable  days  in 
July,  1863,  in  making  history  that  will  be  even  more  enduring  than  this  block 
of  granite  itself,  and  it  is  only  fitting  that  the  ground  on  which  they  fought  so 
bravely  for  God  and  humanity  should  thus  be  marked  with  a  block  from  the 
granite  hills  of  their  native  State. 

We  have  no  doubt  that  a  grateful  country,  remembering  the  deeds  of  her  sons 
on  this  field,  will  ever  provide  your  worthy  association  with  the  means  necessary 
for  the  preservation  of  this  shaft,  so  that  generations  yet  unborn  may  read  in  its 
simple  inscriptions  the  deeds  of  heroism  on  this  historic  field  of  Gettysburg. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  33  T 


REUNIONS. 

In  the  first  part  of  this  history  the  Twelfth  Regiment  is  referred  to  as 
a  family,  and  the  reason  is  there  given  why  this  term  of  relationship  was 
more  applicable  to  this  than  any  other  regiment  that  went  out  from  our 
patriotic  little  State  to  help  save  the  great  and  grand  estate  bequeathed  to 
us  by  our  fathers.  And  it  is  because  of  this,  in  addition  to  that  common 
bond  of  friendship  which  binds  every  true  soldier  to  his  brother  soldier 
as  comrades  in  peace  as  well  as  war,  and  which  is  the  centripetal  force 
that  now  holds  together  more  than  two  hundred  thousand  of  the  old  vet 
erans  as  members  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  that  the  Twelfth 
was  among  the  first  to  organize  a  reunion  association,  by  means  of  which 
its  members  have  kept  actively  strong  those  kindred  ties,  which,  though 
time  may  weaken,  can  never  be  sundered  until  all  are  dead;  for  while 
the  last  one  survives  the  memory  of  his  dead  comrades  will  be  near  and 
dear  to  him,  and  make  him  yearn  to  meet  them  on  that  peaceful  shore, 
where  war's  dread  sounds  can  meet  their  ears  no  more. 

The  members  of  no  other  regiment  of  the  State,  if  indeed  of  any  state, 
have  taken  so  much  pains  in  preparing  for,  and  so  much  pleasure  and 
satisfaction  in  attending,  their  annual  reunions  as  have  the  survivors  of  the 
Twelfth  New  Hampshire. 

While  the  officers  and  a  few  of  the  rank  and  file  of  other  regiments 
have  met  together  here  and  there  at  irregular  times,  and  more  often  as  a 
single  company  than  a  whole  regiment,  except  as  they  have  met  at  the 
grand  reunion  of  all  the  veterans  of  the  State  holden  each  year  recently 
at  The  Weirs,  the  Twelfth  boys  have  had  a  grand  rally  around  their 
colors*  at  some  previously  selected  one  of  the  ten  principal  towns  in  and 
around  which  the  different  companies  were  raised. 

These  towns  given  here  in  the  alphabetical  order  of  the  letters  of  their 
respective  companies  in  the  army,  and  which  was  and  still  is  the  routine 
order  of  holding  these  reunions,  are  Alton,  Gilmanton,  Bristol,  Tilton, 
Ashland  (formerly  Holderness),  Pittsfield,  Laconia,  Lake  Village,  Mere 
dith,  and  Wolfeborough  ;  and  up  to  this  writing,  1893,  every  reunion 
has  been  holden  in  some  one  of  these  towns,  except  two  —  one  on 
Diamond  Island,  Lake  Winnipiseogee,  and  the  other  at  The  Weirs  on 
the  shore  of  the  same  beautiful  lake,  as  will  be  referred  to  hereafter. 

The  towns  have  taken  great  interest  in  entertaining  the  veteran  surviv 
ors  of  the  regiment  as  their  turns  came  round,  and  vied  with  each  other 
in  trying  to  make  their  honored  guests,  their  wives,  children,  and 
such  friends  and  relatives  as  they  might  wish  to  invite,  heartily  and 
sumptuously  welcome. 

A  reunion  of  the  Twelfth  has  long  been  a  gala  day  for  the  town  having 
the  honor  of  the  occasion,  and  for  many  years  the  governor  of  the  State 
and  other  prominent  military  and  civil  officials  have  made  it  a  practice  to 

*  See  post. 


332  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

be  present,  and  willingly  contributed  five  dollars  each  to  become  honorary 
members  of  the  regimental  association. 

The  first  of  these  reunions  was  holden  at  Laconia  in  the  fall  of  1865, 
and  was  little  more  than  a  revival,  by  some  of  the  officers  and  their 
wives,  of  the  social  gatherings  that  were  so  well  enjoyed  during  the 
winter  the  regiment  was  stationed  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.  It  was  but  a 
small  impromptu  affair,  and  few,  if  any,  present  thought  of  its  being  the 
commencement  of  the  long  list  of  grandly  successful  gatherings  that  have 
since  followed. 

It  was  an  entertainment,  however,  of  the  most  enjoyable  kind. 
Speeches  and  songs  enlivened  the  early  evening  hours,  and  here  was 
kindled  the  first  one  of  the  afterward  famous  camp-fires,  which  have 
been  so  important  a  part  of  the  exercises  of  every  subsequent  reunion. 

Here,  also,  was  taken  the  initiatory  step,  since  the  war,  in  that  "  light 
fantastic  round,"  which  has  always  been  the  closing,  and  to  some,  one  of 
the  most  brilliant  and  enjoyable  features  of  these  entertainments. 

At  this  meeting  it  was  suggested,  and  soon  after  decided  upon,  that  a 
general  encampment  and  reunion  of  all  the  survivors  of  the  regiment 
should  be  holden  sometime  during  the  next  year,  at  such  time  and  place, 
and  with  such  a  programme  of  exercises  as  a  committee,  chosen  for  that 
purpose,  might  decide  upon. 

As  mutually  assistant  and  contributory  to  the  success  of  both  enter 
prises,  it  was  determined  early  in  the  spring  that  the  encampment  should 
be  upon  Diamond  Island,  one  of  the  larger  islands  of  the  lake  above 
named,  and  that  the  chief  and  closing  day  occur  on  the  Fourth  of  July 
upon  the  occasion  of  the  public  opening  of  a  large  hotel  that  had  just 
been  built  there. 

The  beautiful  place,  the  double  occasion,  and  the  day  itself,  which 
proved  as  pleasant  to  enjoy  as  its  memories  were  inspiring,  all  united  to 
call  together  a  much  larger  concourse  of  people  than  expected,  it  being 
estimated  that  not  less  than  seven  thousand  persons  visited  the  island 
during  the  day. 

Camp  orders  for  the  Fourth,  which  was  the  second  day  of  the  encamp 
ment,  were  as  follows:  "Reveille"  at  3  A.  M.  ;  "sunrise  salute"  by 
artillery  ;  "  guard  mount"  at  9  ;  "  dinner  call  "  at  12  M.  ;  "  assembly"  at 
2  p.  M.  ;  "  dress  parade"  at  5  ;  "  retreat"  at  6;  and  "  taps"  at  10. 

To  supply  all  answering  to  the  dinner  call  who  could  not  be  accommo 
dated  at  the  hotel,  tables  of  rich  rations  awaited  them  in  the  surrounding 
grove. 

The  literary  exercises,  that  commenced  soon  after  the  sounding  of  the 
assembly,  were  the  chief  attraction  of  the  day,  and  consisted  of  a  prayer 
by  Chaplain  J.  H.  Higgins  ;  reading  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
by  Capt.  H.  Q^  Sargent;  a  brief  history  of  the  regiment  by  Capt.  H.  M. 
Heath  ;  a  poem  by  Capt.  J.  M.  Durgin  ;  and  an  oration  by  Capt.  A.  W. 
Bartlett ;  followed  by  speeches  of  invited  guests  and  other  distinguished 
persons  present. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers  333 

As  soon  as  dark  enough  there  was  a  grand  display  of  fireworks,  lasting 
for  about  an  hour;  and  "  taps  "  that  night,  instead  of  meaning  "lights 
out,"  followed  by  silence  and  sleep,  as  in  the  army,  were  supposed  to  be 
heard  upon  the  drum  head  and  the  dancing  floor,  which  had  been  pre 
pared  in  the  grove  for  the  occasion,  about  the  same  time,  and  to  be 
continued  on  the  latter  until  long  after  midnight. 

The  "  Belknap  Cornet  Band  "  furnished  music  during  both  days  of  the 
encampment,  and  until  the  departure  of  the  regiment  on  the  morning  of 
the  5th.  And  thus  ended  one  of  the  largest,  if  not  most  successful, 
reunion  entertainments  that  the  regiment  ever  had,  and  one  that  at  once 
established  a  reputation  which,  with  but  little  diminution,  it  has  maintained 
to  the  present  time. 

Soon  after  effecting  its  regular  reunion  organization,  the  selection  and 
adoption  of  a  badge  of  membership  was  acted  upon,  and  the  one  finally 
accepted  was  a  diamond  shaped  piece  of  plate  silver,  slightly  convexed 
upon  its  face  surface,  and  bearing  thereon  the  enameled  outline  of  a 
heart  surrounding  a  Maltese  cross,  and  in  the  four  corners  of  the  diamond 
the  figures  and  letters,  "  i2th  N.  H.  V."  The  shape  of  the  badge  itself 
is  impressively  suggestive  of  the  red,  white,  and  blue  flannel  badges 
worn  by  the  respective  divisions  of  the  Third  Corps  in  the  army  ;  the 
different  colors  in  this,  as  all  the  other  Corps,  representing  the  numbers, 
from  one  to  three,  of  the  divisions,  and  the  shape  of  the  badge  the 
number  of  the  Corps,  that  of  the  Third,  as  the  reader  has  already  learned, 
being  the  diamond.  The  Maltese  cross  and  the  heart  were  the  badges 
respectively  of  the  Eighteenth  and  Twenty-fourth  Corps,  in  which  the 
regiment  served  during  the  last  year  of  the  war. 

In  addition  to  this  regular  regimental  badge,  others  in  silk,  of  different 
colors  and  styles,  have  been  gotten  up  for  each  annual  reunion,  upon 
which  have  been  printed  the  name  of  the  place  where  and  the  date  when 
the  reunion  for  that  year  was  holden.  At  first  these  badges  were 
designed  and  procured  more  for  the  occasion  than  as  a  badge  of  member 
ship,  and  were  sold  for  the  purpose  of  helping  to  defray  expenses  to  whoever 
might  desire  one  ;  but  later  on  they,  like  the  silver  ones,  could  only  be 
worn  by  the  surviving  members  of  the  regiment  and  their  wives  and  the 
widows  of  those  deceased,  that  the  many  visitors  might  know  who  were 
the  ones  amid  the  crowd  that  were  deserving  of  and  designed  to  have  all 
the  honors  of  the  occasion.  The  honorary  members  even,  including 
governors,  generals,  and  members  of  Congress  were  not  allowed  to  wear 
them. 

Another  interesting  and  attractive  feature  of  these  reunions  was  the 
getting  up  each  year  of  some  pleasing  and  unique  souvenir  of  the 
occasion,  which  were  eagerly  sought  for  by  many  beside  the  Twelfth 
boys,  and  which  will  be  found  carefully  preserved  in  many  houses  in  the 
State,  as  well  as  out,  long  after  the  original  recipients  have  been 
numbered  with  the  dead. 


334  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

This  practice  may  be  said  to  have  originated  in  the  fertile  brain  of 
Woodbury  Sanborn,  who,  though  not  an  original  member  of  the  Twelfth 
family  by  enlistment,  was  with  or  near  the  regiment  much  of  the  time 
during  its  service,  being  connected  with  the  sutler  department,  and  was  a 
warm  and  tried  friend  to  all  who  wore  "  I2th  N.  H.  V."  upon  their  caps. 
He  took  great  interest  in  their  annual  gatherings,  and  did  much  for  their 
success.  He  alone  designed  most  of  these  souvenirs,  and  was  chiefly 
instrumental  in  getting  them  manufactured  and  ready  ;  and  it  seemed  to 
be  his  especial  pleasure  to  keep  it  all  a  profound  secret,  except  to  two  or 
three  of  his  trusted  friends,  what  the  boys  at  the  next  reunion  were  to 
receive.  For  a  while  these  mementoes  were  sent  through  the  mails  with 
invitation  circulars  to  every  member  of  the  regiment  whose  address  was 
known  ;  but  the  last  and  larger  ones  were  given  out  to  those  present,  at 
cost  price,  and  only  sent  to  such  others  of  the  regiment  as  might  care 
enough  about  them  to  pay  for  making  and  sending. 

These  reunion  mementoes  consisted  mostly  of  miniature  equipments  of 
every  kind  that  the  soldier  had  to  wear  in  the  army,  including  the 
musket,  and  soon  became  so  popular  that  they  were  sought  for  by  many 
outside  of  the  regiment  who  wished  to  have  and  preserve  them  as  keep 
sakes  ;  and  sometimes,  when  the  demand  was  active  and  supply  adequate, 
they  were  sold  at  auction,  and  the  receipts  therefrom,  together  with  the 
money  received  from  the  sale  of  badges  and  ball  tickets,  was  usually 
sufficient  to  liquidate  incidental  expenses. 

Among  other  things  connected  with  these  reunions,  and  worthy  of 
record  memory,  is  the  origin  of  that  beautifully  appropriate  custom  of 
burying  deceased  veterans  wrapped  in  the  flag  of  their  country.  This 
practice,  than  which  nothing  can  more  fittingly  honor  the  last  remains  of 
him  to  whom  national  honor  is  due,  and  which  has  already  been  adopted 
by  some  of  the  Grand  Army  Posts  of  Massachusetts  and  other  states,  as 
it  eventually  will  by  all,  was  first  started  by  the  Twelfth  Regiment 
Association  several  years  before  any  other  veteran  organization,  so  far  as 
can  be  learned,  had  introduced  the  idea  or  even  seriously  entertained  it. 
To  one  of  the  orginal  drummer  boys,  whose  name  is  better  known  now 
among  his  comrades  than  then,  belongs  the  honor  of  originating  the  idea 
and  first  bringing  it  to  the  notice  of  the  public,  by  introducing  a  resolution 
for  its  adoption  at  a  regimental  reunion  at  Tilton,  N.  H.,  in  September, 
1879.  And  it  was  through  his  efforts  that  John  B.  Willard,  of  Company  F, 
the  first  one  to  die  after  that  meeting,  was  buried  at  Pittsfield,  enshrouded 
in  the  same  glorious  emblem  of  liberty  under  which  he  had  marched  and 
fought.  Since  then,  small  silk  flags  have  been  purchased  and  kept  on 
hand  for  that  purpose. 

The  regiment,  therefore,  can  justly  claim  the  credit  of  inaugurating  a 
custom  that  ought  to  have  been  common  throughout  the  loyal  states  long 
before,  which  should  rapidly  spread  into  every  state  where  a  Grand 
Army  Post  exists,  and  last  so  long  as  an  honorably  discharged  Union 
soldier  survives. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  335 

When  the  loyal  heart  has  ceased  to  beat, 

Of  a  soldier,  true  and  brave, 
Oh,  give  him  for  his  winding  sheet 

The  flag  he  helped  to  save. 

For  it  he  stood  where  thousands  fell. 

Amid  the  battle's  roar ; 
And  now  that  all  with  him  is  well, 

And  nought  can  harm  him  more, 

We  Ml  lay  him  down,  he's  done  his  part, 

In  silent  peace  to  rest; 
With  the  old  badge  pinned  o'er  his  heart 

And  the  flag  around  his  breast. 

There  let  the  honored  dust  repose, 

Soldier  and  flag  together, 
Secure  from  all  their  country's  foes, 

Forever  and  forever. 

During  the  first  few  years  of  their  reunions  the  members  of  the  regi 
ment  had  naturally  a  very  strong  desire  of  being  privileged  to  rally  once 
more  around  their  old  army  colors,  and  an  application  was  made  to  the 
state  authorities  for  permission  to  take  one  stand  of  them,  at  least,  from 
their  place  in  the  rotunda  of  the  state  capitol,  at  the  next  reunion,  for  that 
purpose. 

It  was  claimed  by  the  officer  of  the  regiment,  who  made  the  request  in 
its  behalf,  that  the  only  valid  objection  thereto,  namely,  the  danger  of 
their  being  injured  or  destroyed,  was  met  and  disposed  of  by  the  question 
that,  if  the  men  who  had  risked  their  lives  and  shed  their  blood  to  protect 
and  preserve  them  on  the  field  of  battle  could  not  be  trusted  to  take  care 
of  them  for  one  day  while  in  their  personal  keeping,  then  who  could? 
But  while  the  question  was  too  forcibly  pertinent  to  be  answered  adversely 
to  the  wish  that  prompted  it,  yet  the  adjutant-general,  after  consulting 
with  the  governor  and  council,  dared  not  allow  the  precious  relics  to  be 
taken  from  the  secure  resting  place  provided  for  them,  without  legislative 
authority. 

Thinking  then,  as  he  still  does,  that  the  request  was  a  reasonable  one, 
and  that  the  heroes  who  had  so  long  and  bravely  defended  them  should 
have  had  the  glad  privilege  and  great  pleasure  of  gathering  around  and 
saluting  their  tattered  and  blood-stained  battle-flags  once  more,  when 
they  could  do  so  fanned  by  the  soft  zephyrs  of  peace  from  their  native 
hills  instead  of  being  swept  down  by  fiery  blasts  upon  battle-fields  of  war, 
the  officer  above  alluded  to  introduced  a  resolution,  at  the  next  session  of 
the  legislature,  authorizing  the  adjutant-general  of  the  State  to  let  the 
veterans  of  every  military  organization  that  served  in  the  war  have, 
under  certain  precautionary  restrictions,  one  stand  of  their  old  battle-flags 
at  any  one  reunion  of  the  surviving  members,  at  any  time  within  five 
years  that  they  might  desire  them.  And  this  resolution  would  probably 


336  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

have  been  adopted  and  approved,  had  not  the  mover  been  persuaded  to 
withdraw  it  for  special  reasons  which  did  not,  however,  apply  to  the 
Twelfth. 

But  although  unsuccessful  in  two  attempts  to  give  one  more  greeting  to, 
and  take  their  final  parting  of,  their  dearly  cherished  colors,  the  efforts 
were  not  fruitless  to  the  regiment,  for  out  of  them  grew  up  the  idea  of  the 
regiment  having  a  flag  of  its  own.  And  one  evening,  while  he  who 
had  twice  failed  in  his  efforts  to  procure  the  old  flags  was  discussing  with 
another  earnest  friend  of  the  regiment  the  desirability  of  having  a  new 
one,  the  latter  rather  impatiently  remarked:  "Well,  well,  I  certainly 
agree  with  all  you  say  and  heartily  endorse  the  idea,  but  to  get  such  a 
flag  as  you  are  talking  about,  and  have  it  properly  lettered  and  finished, 
as  it  ought  to  be,  would  cost  a  hundred  dollars  or  more,  and  how  shall  we 
pay  for  it?  Another  idea  seemed  just  then  to  enter  the  brain  of  the  other, 
for,  springing  from  his  chair,  he  walked  across  the  room  and  back,  and 
then  exclaimed:  "Never  mind  the  pay!  'where  there's  a  will  there's 
a  way';  and  if  you  are  present  at  our  next  reunion,  you  will  see  the 
boys  marching  under  a  splendid  flag  of  their  own,  or  thenceforth  you  are 
at  liberty  to  write  me  down  in  your  memory's  list  as  Mr.  False  Promise." 
His  words  proved  prophetic,  and  ever  since  the  veteran  members  of  one 
New  Hampshire  regiment  have  had  a  flag  that  they  could  proudly  look 
up  to  at  each  reunion,  and  that  they  could  keep  and  use  without  the  fear 
or  favor  of  any  one.  And  it  will  be  kept  as  a  precious  relic  of  the  "  Old 
Twelfth"  long  after  its  last  survivor  has  joined  his  comrades  that  have 
gone  before,  and  answered  with  them  the  morning  roll-call  on  the  other 
shore. 

The  flag  is  five  feet  by  six  in  size,  made  of  the  best  quality  of  banner 
silk,  heavily  bordered  with  gold-gilded  fringe,  and  lettered  in  gold  leaf 
with  the  names  of  the  thirteen  battles  in  which  the  regiment  was 
engaged.* 

It  was  made  to  order  by  Charles  O.  Eaton,  of  Boston,  at  a  cost  of  one 
hundred  dollars,  and  paid  for  by  the  citizens  of  Laconia  and  one  or  two 
other  towns  of  Belknap  county.  It  was  received  by  the  regiment  as  a 
present  from  the  citizens  of  that  county,  although  the  price  of  it  was  so 
quickly  raised  that  but  few  of  her  patriotic  sons  and  daughters  had  the 
coveted  privilege  of  aiding  in  the  work.  Many  times  the  needed  amount 
could  have  been  raised  if  necessary. 

*See  table  of  battles  and  losses. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


337 


WOODBURY  SANBORN  MEMORIAL  STONE. 

Whoever  has  visited  that  beautiful  spot  on  the  western  side  of  the 
largest  and  most  renowned  of  our  many  crystal  lakes,  where  for  many 
years  the  veterans  of  New  Hampshire  have  had  their  annual  encamp 
ment,  and  which  is  visited  every  year  by  thousands  beside  those  who 
attend  these  military  reunions,  cannot  have  failed  to  notice  the  large 
granite  boulder  so  conspicuously  located  upon  the  grounds  near  the  crest 
of  the  hill  in  rear  of  the  hotel,  and  upon  the  top  surface  of  which  are 
deeply  engraved  the  names  of  all  the  military  organizations  of  the  State 
that  served  in  the  Union  army  during  the  rebellion. 

This  boulder  is  about  eight  feet  long  and  four  and  one  half  feet  wide 
upon  the  upper  side ;  and,  rising  from  two  to  three  feet  out  of  the 
ground,  with  a  slight  inclination  from  east  to  west  that  presents  plainly  to 
view  its  smooth,  tablet-shaped  top,  seems  designed  by  nature  for  the  very 
purpose  for  which  it  has  been  so  properly  and  prominently  used. 

Soon  after  the  war,  the  place  where  this  stone  is  located  was  selected 
as  the  permanent  camping  ground  of  the  veteran  soldiers  of  the  State  at 
their  general  reunions,  and  had  long  been  a  pleasure  resort  where  quite 
a  large  hotel,  several  imposing  buildings,  and  many  cottages  had  been 
erected  by  the  Veteran  Association  and  private  parties.  Yet  of  the 
many  thousands  who  had  gathered  around  and  looked  upon  this  singular 
deposit  of  the  glacial  or  drift  period  of  the  earth's  existence,  no  one  had 
ever  thought  or  dreamed  of  making  it  speak  for  the  pride  and  patriotism 
of  the  "  Old  Granite  State,"  as  it  now  does  and  will  continue  to  do  down 
through  many  generations  of  the  future,  until  it  met  the  thoughtful  gaze 
of  one  in  whose  fertile  mind  the  idea  first  took  root,  and  where  it  grew 
into  that  maturity  of  conception  necessary  to  its  visible  realization.  To 
him  for  whom  the  stone  has  been  named,  belongs  not  only  the  credit  of 


338  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

originating  the  idea  itself,  but  of  procuring  a  deed  of  the  piece  of  land  — 
twenty  by  twenty-two  feet — upon  which  the  boulder  rests,  of  having  it 
lettered,  and  of  designing  the  style  and  procuring  the  erection  of  the 
fence  that  surrounds  it. 

This  fence  is  all  of  cast  iron,  and  was  manufactured  by  D.  Arthur 
Brown,  of  Penacook,  N.  H.  The  pickets  are  in  the  shape  and  of  nearly 
the  size  of  common  muskets,  with  bayonets  fixed,  and  the  four  corner 
posts  are  in  imitation  of  cannon  surmounted  by  four  balls,  with  holes 
therein  to  serve  as  socket  holders  for  small  flag-staffs  on  public  occasions, 
as  may  be  seen  in  the  engraving.  On  a  small  oval  plate  attached  to  the 
gate  is  inscribed  : 

"  Woodbury  Sanborn  Memorial  Stone." 

The  cost  of  casting  and  erecting  the  fence,  amounting  to  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  was  paid  for  mainly  by  the  widows,  wives,  and 
daughters  of  the  original  members  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment. 

The  boulder,  which  has  been  called  by  some  the  "  Record  Rock,"  was 
formally  dedicated  by  the  Twelfth  members  at  their  reunion  at  The 
Weirs,  where  it  is  located,  September  27,  1882.  Hon.  Charles  H.  Bell, 
then  governor  of  the  State,  standing  upon  the  rock  as  he  spoke,  delivered 
the  dedicatory  address,  which,  but  for  his  recent  death,  would  have  been 
printed  herewith. 

After  the  decease  of  Mr.  Sanborn,  which  occurred  a  few  years  later,  the 
Twelfth  Regiment  Association,  wishing  to  erect  some  kind  of  a  memorial 
to  his  memory,  appointed  a  committee  of  three  of  its  members  —  Captain 
Lang,  Lieutenant  Lane,  and  Corporal  Farrar — to  consider  and  report 
at  their  next  meeting  what,  within  the  means  of  the  association,  would  be 
most  appropriate.  Their  report  was  unanimously  adopted,  and  they 
were  chosen  to  execute  and  complete  the  work  necessary  to  consummate 
their  own  recommendation.  This,  everything  considered,  was  uniquely 
appropriate,  and  the  most  satisfactory  thing  that  could  have  been  done. 

It  consists,  as  seen  to-day,  of  a  bronze  tablet  suspended  a  few  feet 
above  the  stone  by  means  of  an  iron  rod  overarching  the  same.  On  one 
side  of  this  tablet  is  inscribed  the  following  : 

WOODIJURY   SANBORN 

a  devoted  friend  and  honorary  member  of  the  i  2th 
N.  H.  Regiment  Association,  caused  this  stone  to 
be  engraved,  and  secured  the  funds  of  this  emble 
matic  fence  from  the  members  of  i2th  Regiment 
and  their  lady  friends. 

Dedicated  as  a  Memorial  to  the  soldiers  of  New 
Hampshire  by  Gov.  Bell  Sept.  27,  1882,  at  a 
reunion  of  the  regiment. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  330 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  tablet  this  very  appropriate  sentiment  is 
written  : 

As  of  old,  when  Moses  smote  the  rock  and  it 
poured  forth  water  that  the  people  might  drink, 
so  may  this  boulder,  dedicated  as  a  Memorial 
to  New  Hampshire  valor,  give  forth  a  stream 
of  patriotic  inspiration  that  shall  continue  its 
flow  down  the  centuries,  ever  stimulating  heroic 
devotion  to  Home,  Country,  and  Free  Institutions. 

At  the  same  reunion  of  the  Twelfth  veterans  that  this  rock  was  dedi 
cated  the  beautiful  new  flag  bought  for  them  by  the  citizens  of  Belknap 
county,  as  already  referred  to,  was  formally  presented  ;  Governor  Bell 
making  the  presentation  speech,  and  Capt.  A.  W.  Bartlett,  as  president 
of  the  reunion  association,  accepting  it  in  behalf  of  the  regiment. 

The  interleaf  copy  of  the  invitation  circular  and  programme  of  this  occasion 
is  here  presented  as  a  fair  sample  of  those  issued  at  all  the  other  reunions.  The 
"memorial  service,"  adopted  soon  after  the  war,  consists  of  a  dirge  by  the  band 
or  drum  corps,  followed  by  a  eulogy  upon  those  who  have  died  during  the  year. 
The  "presentation  of  badges"  refers  to  a  practice  that  obtained  for  awhile  of 
giving  gold  badges,  of  the  same  shape  and  style  as  the  silver  ones,  to  some  of 
the  favorite  officers.  The  canteens  sold  at  auction  were  miniature  tin  ones,  with 
straps  attached,  of  the  same  size  as  the  printed  picture  disk  seen  upon  the  pro 
gramme  and  copies  of  which  were  pasted  on  to  them.  The  "guess  prizes" 
were  those  given  to  a  few  of  those  who  came  nearest  to  guessing  the  correct 
number  of  articles  contained  in  a  mammoth  canteen,  made  especially  for  that 
reunion,  and  holding  several  gallons ;  the  canteen  and  contents  being  then  sold  at 
auction  with  the  little  ones.  Lafayette  Newell,  the  veteran  war  photographer, 
a  brother  of  Arthur  C.  and  Albert  M.,  of  Company  B,  took  a  picture  of  the 
beautifully  decorated  grand  stand  and  all  those  upon  and  close  around  it.*  It 
was  from  his  camera  that  came  many  of  the  original  pictures  of  the  boys  as 
represented  in  this  history. 

*See  engraving. 


34°  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


PRESENTIMENTS  AND  VISIONS. 

"There  are  more  things  in  heaven  and  earth,  Horatio, 
Than  are  dreamt  of  in  your  philosophy." 

Notwithstanding  all  the  light  and  knowledge  that  the  world  has 
received  both  from  revelation  and  science  since  the  human  race  began, 
and  the  fact  that  we  are  now  living  in  the  bright  blaze  of  the  last  decade 
of  the  nineteenth  century,  still  we  are  enveloped  in  mystery  and  filled 
with  doubts  concerning  the  nature  and  extent  of  those  occult  powers  of 
our  spiritual  being,  the  existence  of  which  —  since  every  effect  must 
have  a  cause  —  is  placed  beyond  dispute  by  their  many  strange  and 
varied,  yet  none  the  less  unmistakable,  manifestations. 

However  reason,  without  what  some  would  call  the  safety  anchor  of 
Christian  faith,  may  be  inclined,  if  left  alone,  to  drift  out  into  the  dark 
waters  of  materialism,  yet  despite  the  premises  or  principles  of  all  purely 
mental  elaborations,  and  regardless  even  of  many  religious  claims  and 
creeds,  there  seems  to  be  something  both  within  and  around  us  that  is  a 
part  of,  and  has  an  inseparable  connection  with,  that  electro-etherial  and  all 
pervading  essence  that  fills  the  mystic  realm  of  our  spiritual  existence. 

Although  still  groping  in  comparative  darkness  as  regards  our  future 
destiny  "when  we  have  shuffled  off  this  mortal  coil,"  and  especially  in 
respect  to  our  individual  consciousness  and  identity  remaining  the  same, 
yet  no  well  informed  and  unprejudiced  person  will  deny  that  through 
this  surrounding  darkness  many  strange  and  startling  gleams  of  light 
have  been  seen,  that  no  prism  or  spectroscope  of  science  can  dissolve  or 
analyze  by  any  philosophical  or  chemical  tests,  or  explain  from  any 
known  physical  laws. 

And  however  much  or  little  of  unalloyed  truth  there  may  be  in  the  fast 
spreading  belief  that  these  gleams  of  light  are  faint  glimpses  that  come 
to  us  from  the  spirit  world,  one  thing  can  be  safely  asserted,  that  the  time 
has  passed  when  the  high  priests  of  either  science  or  religion  can 
establish  or  long  maintain  a  reputation  for  wisdom  who  are  at  once  ready 
to  reject  everything  that  they  cannot  explain  or  understand. 

Motion,  so  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  seems  to  be  one  of  the  great, 
governing  laws  of  universal  existence,  and  applies  alike  to  the  material 
and  immaterial  entity. 

Without  motion  there  would  be  neither  life  nor  light,  and  though  we 
read  that  light  was  commanded  ere  the  problem  of  life  was  solved,  yet 
before  there  was  either  light  or  life  "  the  Spirit  of  God  moved  upon  the 
face  of  the  waters." 

He,  therefore,  who  forgets  or  fails  to  recognize  the  fact  that  "the 
world  moves,"  will  soon  find  himself  far  behind,  and  so  tangled  up  and 
fettered  by  his  prejudices  and  predilections  as  to  be  obliged  to  fall  in  with 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  341 

the  grumbling  stragglers  who  are  picked  up  by  the  rear  guard  of  that 
noble  army  of  brave  and  progressive  thinkers  and  actors  that  will  ever 
proudly  lead  the  advancing  column  of  humanity  down  the  great  and 
grand  march  of  the  ages. 

The  necromancy  of  the  past  has  already  changed  into  the  theosophy  of 
the  present,  and  what  was  once  universally  attributed  to  the  "  Prince  of 
Darkness"  is  now  ascribed  by  many  to  the  "  Father  of  all  Good." 

There  seems  to  be  now  but  little  doubt  in  the  minds  of  the  ablest 
psychologists  of  to-day  but  that  invisible  and  immaterial  something  that 
we  call  electricity  —  with  which  so  much  is  being  done,  and  of  which  so 
much  is  said,  but  so  little  known  —  is  the  connecting  link  between  mind 
and  matter.  And  there  are  many  who  believe  that  the  world  is  about  to 
awake  in  the  morning  light  of  the  greatest  scientific  development  that 
ever  interested  or  affected  humanity. 

It  is  already  quite  apparent  that  the  age  of  steam  is  fast  passing  by,  as 
insufficient  for  the  demands  of  the  hour,  and  a  hidden  force,  compared 
with  which  steam  is  but  an  infant,  is  fast  taking  its  place.  How  little 
could  Franklin  have  thought,  when  he  succeeded  in  capturing  a  small 
bottle  full  of  the  wild  lightning  of  heaven,  that  it  ever  could  be  so  far 
tamed  as  not  only  to  become  earth's  universal  messenger,  chief  source  of 
power,  and  grand  illuminator,  but  that  within  less  than  a  hundred  years 
from  his  simple  but  world-revolutionizing  experiment  with  kite  and  key 
it  would  become  instrumental  in  healing  the  sick,  and  even  of  comforting 
the  mourner,  by  lighting  up  "the  dark  valley  of  death,"  and  giving, 
through  mediumistic  visions,  a  clearer  and  brighter  view  of  the  "delect 
able  mountains"  on  the  other  side. 

Though  the  inspirational  voice  that  came  to  Luther  when  he  was  crawl 
ing  up  "Pilate's  staircase,"  telling  him  that  "the  just  shall  live  by 
faith,"  will  be  heard  and  heeded  by  multiplied  millions  who  have  not  yet 
lived  and  moved  upon  this  mundane  sphere,  yet  that  this  strong  and 
supporting  faith  is  to  be  made  and  kept  so  by  an  elimination  therefrom  of 
many  of  the  religious  dogmas  and  superstitions  of  the  present  as  well  as 
the  past,  there  can  scarcely  be  a  doubt  in  any  unprejudiced  and  educated 
mind. 

And  the  time  may  come  in  the  future, 

As  we  half  believe  that  it  will, 
When  science  alone  from  the  electric  zone 

The  world  with  a  new  light  will  fill, 

That  shall  scatter  the  darkness  of  ages, 

Like  dew-mist  before  the  sun  ; 
And  men  will  learn  more  of  mystical  lore, 

Than  yet  since  the  world  begun. 

Then  faith  will  be  founded  in  reason, 

And  skeptics  can  question  no  more ; 
For  no  one  will  doubt,  when  life's  tide  goes  out 

That  'twill  reach  to  the  other  shore. 


342  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

However  others  may  ridicule  the  idea  of  there  being  anything  in 
presentiments,  except  what  comes  from  imagination's  illusive  fantasies,  it 
is  all  the  same  to  him  who  has  once  felt  their  strange  and  mysterious 
power,  for 

"  What  we  see  we  believe,  though  the  eye  may  sometimes  deceive, 
But  what  we  feel  we  know,  whether  it  be  the  sting  or  the  blow.11 

And  you  might  as  well  try  to  convince  one  who  is  suffering  from  an 
attack  of  acute  sciatica  that  he  really  has  no  pain,  but  only  imagines  that 
he  has,  as  to  satisfy  him  who  has  once  been  under  the  strong  influence  of 
that  strange  impression -that  speaks  to  us  so  plainly,  and  yet  unheard,  of 
danger  and  death  to  come,  that  there  is  nothing  to  it.  History,  sacred 
and  profane,  is  thickly  sprinkled  with  remarkable  and  well  authenticated 
instances  of  prophetic  visions,  dreams,  and  premonitions;  and  "death 
warnings "  have  been  prevalent  among  savage  and  civilized  nations  so 
far  back  as  we  have  any  authentic  record  of  the  human  race. 

What  and  whence  these  wonderful  phenomena  can  only  be  answered 
by  offering  one  mystical  theory  to  solve  or  explain  another,  and  thus 
on  into  "endless  mazes  lost";  and  yet  we  have  no  doubt,  as  already 
expressed,  that  we  are  fast  approaching  the  daybreak  of  a  new  and 
marvelous  era  in  physchological  research  which,  were  it  to  burst  upon  us 
all  at  once,  would  astonish  and  astound  the  world. 

But  whether  ever  better  understood  than  now  or  not,  the  fact  changeth 
not  that  many  a  poor  soldier  in  our  late  war,  as  well  as  some  of  their 
near  relatives  at  home,  had  presentiments,  visions,  and  dreams;  and  that 
those  cases,  properly  coming  under  the  first  named  class,  were  so 
common  that  almost  every  old  veteran  can  refer  to  one  or  more  instances 
that  came  under  his  own  observation. 

And  though  we  shall  only  speak  of  such  individual  instances  occurring 
in  the  Twelfth  as  were  made  known  to  their  brother  comrades  by  those 
who  felt  the  fatal  impression,  there  were  doubtless  others  whom  fate  con 
signed  to  gory  graves,  who  knew  equally  well  what  their  fate  would  be, 
but  nursed  the  dread  secret  in  sorrowful  silence  which  their  acts  and  looks 
would  only  too  soon  betray. 

With  some  this  strange  premonition  ante-dated  their  departure  from 
Concord.*  Who  is  there  of  Company  F  who  does  not  remember  how 
often  the  Christian-hearted  "  Charlie"  Mason  used  to  speak  of  his  death 
as  a  foregone  conclusion,  even  almost  as  early  as  entering  camp  after 
enlistment,  saying  he  should  never  return  ;  and  when  chided  for  talking  so, 
and  for  allowing  himself  to  look  so  much  upon  the  dark  side,  would  reply 
that  he  talked  it  because  he  felt  it,  and  knew  it,  and  that  it  was  not  a  dark 
side  to  him,  for  he  deemed  it  a  happy  privilege  to  die  for  his  country,  since 
he  felt  sure  of  his  reward  in  heaven. 

He  seemed  to  be  proud  of  falling,  as  he  believed  he  should,  on  the  field 
of  battle,  and  his  bones  now  moulder  and  mingle  with  the  soil  beneath  the 

*  See  page  1Q, 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  343 

leaves  that  yearly  spread  their  soft  vesture  over  the  blood-soaked  field  of 
Chancellorsville,  as  if  to  cover  up  forever  the  last  trace  of  that  terrible 
conflict. 

And  there,  too,  is  the  dust  of  John  B.  Merrill,  of  the  same  company, 
who  always  before  jokingly  jovial,  even  under  the  enemy's  fire,  awoke 
one  morning  from  bivouac,  on  the  march  to  that  battlefield,  so  sober  and 
thoughtful  in  appearance,  that  the  boys,  finding  that  he  was  not  sick  as 
they  first  thought,  began  to  joke  him,  and  one  of  them  said  :  "  I  guess 
John's  afraid  he'll  be  killed  by  the  Johnnies,  but  he  ought  not  to  be  fright 
ened  before  we  get  up  near  enough  to  hear  the  music  of  their  minies." 

"  Well,  boys,  you  can  make  light  of  it  if  you  want  to,  but  I  shall  be 
killed  and  shall  be  the  first  man  to  fall  in  the  company  in  the  next  battle," 
and  his  words  proved  true.  He  fired  his  first  and  last  shot  at  the  enemy 
and  fell  dead  where  he  stood. 

The  widow  of  Merrill,  who  is  still  living  in  Lynn,  Mass.,  says  that  for 
three  years  before  his  enlistment  she  had  repeatedly  dreamed  of  seeing 
her  husband  in  the  midst  of  or  surrounded  with  blood  ;  and  so  often  had 
she  dreamed  the  same  thing  over  and  over,  that  she  used  to  be  afraid  to 
have  her  husband  go  away  from  home  on  the  cars,  or  to  go  to  work  where 
there  was  any  danger  of  his  getting  hurt.  After  he  went  to  war  she  had 
no  more  such  dreams  about  him,  but  something  seemed  to  tell  her  that  this 
was  what  her  dreams  had  meant,  and  she  felt  that  he  would  be  killed  on 
the  field  of  battle. 

Charles  H.  Marden,  of  Company  B,  who  fell  at  Cold  Harbor,  gave  his 
watch  to  Sergeant  Piper  before  going  into  the  battle,  and  told  him  that  he 
should  be  killed. 

Horace  Prescott,  of  Company  II,  had  an  apprehension  even  from  the 
time  of  his  enlistment  that  he  should  be  killed  in  the  war.  He  had  a 
dream  before  he  entered  the  service  that  he  went  to  war,  and  that  when  in 
battle  he  went  into  an  old  barn  through  which  the  bullets  were  flying  so 
thickly  that  he  expected  every  moment  to  be  killed ;  and  as  he  did  not 
dream  of  getting  out  of  the  barn  alive,  he  thought  it  meant  that  he  should 
be  killed  if  he  went  to  war.  But  feeling  it  his  duty  to  go,  and  expecting 
a  draft,  he  enlisted. 

After  going  to  the  front  he  expressed,  in  several  letters  to  his  wife,  his 
fears  of  the  fate  that  awaited  him,  and  when  at  home  on  a  furlough  soon 
after  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  he  told  her  that  he  had  great  fears  of 
the  next  battle ;  and  in  the  next  letter  after  going  back  to  the  regiment  he 
wrote  that  he  had  thought  of  it  ever  since  his  return.  In  a  previous  letter 
he  had  written  as  if  he  would  be  killed,  and  said  :  "  May  we  live  together 
in  heaven,  I  am  not  afraid  to  die." 

But  though  always  before  he  had  talked  and  written  in  a  despondent 
tone  and  style,  in  his  last  letter,  as  strange  as  it  may  seem,  he  seemed  to 
have  for  the  first  time  a  new  hope.  This  letter  was  dated  on  the  banks  of 
the  Rappahannock  and  contains  the  following:  "  Yesterday  and  this 


344  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

morning  I  feel  brighter  and  more  cheerful,  and  it  now  seems  to  me  that  I 
shall  come  out  all  right,"  and  ended  his  last  earthly  missive  with  the  words  : 
"  The  drum  is  now  beating  for  us  to '  fall  in,'  and  my  sheet  is  nearly  full, 
two  reasons  why  I  must  close,"  and  then  sends  to  his  wife  his  last  farewell. 

Shortly  before  his  last  battle  he  had  given  his  watch  and  some  other 
things  to  Woodbury  Sanborn  in  trust  for  his  wife,  saying,  as  he  did  so, 
that  he  should  be  killed  in  the  next  conflict.  This  was,  however,  a  day  or 
two  before  his  last  letter  above  mentioned.  The  revival  of  his  hopes,  just 
before  their  extinguishment,  seemed  like  the  last  rally  of  the  vital  forces 
of  the  declining  invalid,  indicating  to  the  experienced  physician's  mind 
that  the  fatal  and  final  hour  is  close  at  hand. 

Lieut.  George  S.  Cram,  of  Company  I,  had  a  presentiment  that  he 
should  be  killed  at  Chancellorsville,  and  talked  with  Captain  Lang  about 
it.  The  sense  of  his  impending  fate  was  so  deeply  felt  by  him,  that  it 
seemed  to  affect  him  from  the  time  the  battle  commenced  until  his  death. 
He  had  just  stepped  from  behind  a  tree  to  assist  one  of  his  men  to  force 
down  a  cartridge  when  the  fatal  bullet  struck  him. 

Reuben  P.  Willard,  Charles  Cotton,  George  A.  Swain,  and  John  C. 
Sweatt,  all  of  Company  H,  tented  together  at  Falmouth  and  bivouacked 
together  on  the  march  to  Chancellorsville.  "  On  the  morning  of  the  bat 
tle,"  as  Willard  relates,  "Cotton  spoke  as  soon  as  he  awoke  and  said: 
'  One  of  us  is  going  to  be  killed.  I  don't  know  which  one  of  us  it  will 
be,  but  it  will  be  one  I  know,  for  I  feel  it.'"  It  was  his  last  morning  on 
earth. 

Lieut.  Gorham  P.  Dunn,  who  was  in  the  writer's  mind  when  referring 
to  the  parting  of  officers  and  their  wives  at  Point  Lookout,*  was  another 
one  of  the  many  in  the  Twelfth  who  long  carried  with  them  the  impres 
sion  that  they  would  not  live  to  the  end  of  their  term  of  enlistment.  He 
constantly  carried  in  his  pocket  a  piece  of  paper  by  which  his  body  might 
be  identified,  gave  his  wife  to  understand,  at  the  time  and  place  above 
mentioned,  that  they  would  never  see  each  other  again,  and  in  a  solemn 
talk  with  Lieutenant  Hall,  on  the  night  before  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor, 
stated,  in  substance,  that  all  his  hopes  and  expectations  for  this  life  would 
end  on  the  morrow.  Lieutenant  Hall,  speaking  of  the  above,  says  :  "  And 
Captain  Keyes  talked  to  me  in  about  the  same  strain  at  one  time  when  we 
were  on  picket  together  a  few  days  before  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville." 

Captain  Keyes  also  told  George  D.  Cross,  of  his  company,  while  form 
ing  line  of  battle  on  Saturday  night,  that  he  should  not  survive  the  battle. 

Sergt.  Henry  C.  Buzzell,  of  Company  D,  who  was  mortally  wounded 
at  Cold  Harbor,  had  a  clear  presentiment  of  his  death.  Andrew  J.  Small, 
of  the  same  company,  says  of  him  in  this  connection:  "  He  said  to  me 
one  day  after  we  landed  at  the  White  House,  '  I  can  tell  you  one  thing 
sure,  we  are  going  to  have  another  big  battle.'  I  told  him  that  I  expected 
that  we  should.  He  then  said,  '  Yes,  we  shall,  and  it  will  be  my  last  bat 
tle.  I  shall  not  be  killed  on  the  field,  but  shall  be  wounded  and  die." 

*  See  page  164. 


Ne^v  Hampshire   Volunteers.  345 

He  lived  nearly  a  month  after  receiving  his  mortal  wound,  and  thus  was 
proved  his  solemn  prediction. 

Frank  Knowlton,  of  the  same  company,  who  yielded  up  his  life  at 
Gettysburg,  said  to  one  of  his  comrades,  while  forming  a  line  of  battle  on 
the  morning  of  the  clay  he  was  killed  :  "  If  the  regiment  is  engaged  to 
day,  I  shall  fall  to  rise  no  more,  unless  at  the  resurrection." 

Gustavus  Emmons,  of  Company  C,  said  to  Dr.  Fowler  and  several 
others  that  he  should  be  killed  in  the  first  battle.  He  told  Timothy  Tilton 
he  should  be  killed  just  as  soon  as  he  got  into  the  fight,  that  he  shouldn't 
live  three  minutes,  and  exclaimed  "Oh,  my  children!  my  children!" 
"  He  was  killed,"  as  Tilton  says,  "  at  the  first  volley." 

Concerning  the  presentiment  of  James  M.  Jones,  of  Company  A, 
killed  at  Chancellorsville,  Sergt.  O.  F.  Davis  contributes  the  following  : 
"Jones  had  told  me  that  he  should  be  killed  in  this  battle,  and  while  we 
were  lying  by  the  brook  a  bullet  struck  between  him  and  me,  and  I  said, 
'  guess  they  mean  us,'  to  which  Jones  replied,  '  How  can  you  speak  so 
heedlessly  in  the  face  of  death?  You  couldn't,  I  know,  if  you  felt  as  I 
do.  I  expect  every  bullet  will  be  my  death  messenger,  for  I  shall  never 
see  the  end  of  this  battle.'" 

John  S.  S.  Doloff,  of  Company  I,  killed  at  Cold  Harbor,  is  another  one 
who  had  the  mysterious  warning,  as  testified  to  by  both  Nathan  G.  Plum- 
mer  and  Jeremiah  F.  Davis,  who  were  his  comrades.  The  former  says  : 
"The  evening  before  the  charge,  early  the  next  morning,  he  felt  so  bad 
he  could  not  eat,  and  he  did  not  sleep  any  all  night.  I  pitied  him  with 
all  my  heart,  for  I  had  learned  before  then  that  when  a  poor  fellow  got  it 
into  his  head  he  was  going  to  be  killed,  the  sad  event  seemed  a  certainty 
to  him  and  was  always  sure  to  come." 

More  properly  here  than  in  the  following  chapter,  for  which  it  was  first 
written,  belongs  the  following  incident : 

Andrew  P.  Gilman,  of  Company  D,  was  so  severely  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Chancellorsville  that  he  was  unable  to  get  off  the  field,  and  lay 
down  by  the  butt  of  a  large  oak  tree  to  save  himself  from  being  hit  again 
in  the  terrible  storm  of  iron  and  lead  pouring  upon  our  lines  from  the 
enemy. 

"  While  lying  there,"  to  use  very  nearly  his  own  words,  "  as  close  to 
the  ground  and  the  tree  as  I,  in  my  wounded  condition,  could  well  get, 
something  told  me  all  at  once  to  get  'round  upon  the  opposite  side  of  the 
tree.  Although  it  was  painfully  difficult  for  me  to  move,  and  it  was  ap 
parently  moving  into  danger,  instead  of  out  of  it,  yet  so  strongly  impres 
sive  was  the  thought,  that  as  soon  as  possible  I  changed  my  position  as 
directed.  But  scarcely  had  I  done  so,  when  a  shell  from  one  of  our  own 
guns  struck  and  exploded  so  close  to  the  spot  I  had  just  left,  its  pieces 
striking  the  tree,  that  I  shall  always  think  that  my  quick  obedience  to  the 
silent  command  saved  my  life.  The  same  shell  wounded  Joseph  Young, 
of  my  company,  who,  like  myself,  had  been  previously  disabled  and  was 
lying  close  by." 


346  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

"  Did  you  have  any  presentiment  of  his  death  ?  "  was  the  question  asked 
by  the  writer  of  the  widow  of  Lieut.  Charles  S.  Emery  who  received  his 
death  wounds  at  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor.  With  a  quick  and  frightened 
look,  accompanied  by  a  sudden  movement  that  startled  the  questioner, 
came  the  quick  inquiry,  "Why  do  you  ask?"  and  then,  after  mutual  expla 
nation  which  brought  out  the  reason  of  her  surprise  at  being  so  unexpectedly 
asked  a  question  concerning  so  strange  and  thrilling  an  experience  that  no 
mortal  being  ever  knew  or  heard  of  but  herself,  she  related  for  the  first 
time  in  her  life  the  following  remarkable  and  mysterious  chapter  in  her 
sad  history,  which  is  here  given  very  nearly  in  her  own  words  : 

It  was  the  night  before  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  a  night  never  to  be  forgotten 
by  me,  that  I  had  the  strange  dream,  or  vision,  for  it  did  not  seem  like  a  dream, 
that  told  me  plainer  than  tongue  or  pen,  and  as  unmistakably  as  my  own  eyes, 
the  fate  that  awaited  my  husband  and  his  brother  comrade,  Lieutenant  French. 
They  were,  as  perhaps  you  know,  schoolmates  together,  and  enlisted  from  the 
same  neighborhood.  I  was  then  stopping  here  in  Loudon  with  my  own  folks, 
and  though  expecting  from  newspaper  reports  that  a  battle  would  be  fought  in  a 
few  days,  did  not  know  that  the  two  great  armies  were  rapidly  concentrating  at 
Gettysburg,  and  that  advanced  forces  were  already  engaged  on  that  historic  field. 
I  therefore  retired  that  night  with  nothing  more  than  usual  to  worry  or  excite  me. 

Here  the  narrator  gives  a  general  description  of  the  house,  the  arrange 
ment  ot  the  hallway  and  rooms  on  the  first  floor,  as  well  as  the  chambers, 
in  one  of  which  she  alone  slept. 

Sometime  during  the  night  I  heard,  as  I  thought,  three  or  four  plain  and 
distinct  raps  on  the  outside  of  the  front  door.  Changing  my  first  impulse  to 
arouse  the  other  inmates  of  the  house,  I  decided  not  to  disturb  them,  as  they  gave 
no  sound  of  being  awake,  but  to  answer  the  summons  myself.  Hastily  dressing, 
I  took  the  lamp  I  had  lighted  in  my  hand,  and  descending  the  front  stairs  unlocked 
and  opened  the  door. 

There,  sad,  solemn,  and  silent,  but  in  perfect  lifelike  form,  countenance,  and 
attitude,  and  in  full  dress  uniform,  stood  Lieut.  Henry  French  ! 

I  spoke  and  extended  my  hand,  but  without  heeding  either,  he  passed  in  by  me 
through  the  hallway  into  the  sitting-room,  the  door  of  which  he  opened  and 
closed  after  him.  For  the  first  time  a  feeling  of  dread  chilled  through  my  veins, 
and  I  hesitated  to  follow.  But  something  stronger  than  my  fears  impelled  me 
forward,  and  opening  the  door  just  closed,  I  entered  the  room  after  him. 

Here,  in  the  middle  of  the  room,  I  saw  two  coffins,  both  open  and  empty,  as  I 
first  thought,  but  upon  approaching  nearer  I  noticed  that  only  one  was  empty, 
while  the  other  held  what  now  seemed  the  pale  face  and  lifeless  form  of  him  who 
but  a  minute  before  stood  and  moved  in  life  and  strength  before  me.  As  I  gazed 
upon  the  empty  coffin,  a  small  stream  of  blood  ran  out  of  the  foot  of  it,  and  fell 
upon  the  floor,  nnd  something  seemed  to  say:  "This  is  for  Charles  who,  too, 
must  give  his  life's  blood  for  his  country,  but  his  time  has  not  come  yet." 

Was  I  afraid,  do  you  ask,  and  terror-stricken  at  the  sight  as  I  would  have  been 
if  all  had  been  as  real  as  it  seemed?  No;  the  vague  feeling  of  dread  and 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  347 

apprehension  that  I  remember  to  have  possessed  me  before  entering  the  sitting- 
room,  prepared  me  for  the  scene  within,  and  changed  to  sadness  and  grief  as  the 
meaning  of  the  vision  was  made  known  to  me. 

When  I  awoke  the  next  morning,  either  from  sleep  or  a  trance,  it  all  seemed 
so  real  and  so  little  like  a  dream,  that  I  lay  for  a  long  time,  scarcely  daring  to 
believe  that  I  was  once  more  on  the  conscious  side  of  the  dividing  line  ;  and  from 
that  time  to  this  have  never  been  quite  able  to  decide  whether  I  actually  got  up 
and  went  to  the  door  and  rooms  that  night  or  not. 

Having  at  length  convinced  myself  that  I  was  still  in  the  flesh  and  rational, 
I  arose  before  any  others  of  the  household  were  up,  and  it  being  not  yet  late 
enough  to  see  well  about  the  house  without  a  light,  I  dared  not  go  into  the  sitting- 
room,  but  went  to  the  front  door  and  found  it  fastened.  In  answer  to  inquiries 
from  the  family,  I  told  them  that  I  awoke  much  earlier  than  usual  and  was  unable 
to  sleep  again  for  thinking  of  the  great  battle  that  had  just  been  fought ;  that 
Lieutenant  French  had  been  killed,  and  many  others  of  his  regiment,  but  Charles 
(meaning  my  husband)  was  as  yet  safe,  or  at  least  alive,  and  I  should  see  him 
again  if  he  was  wounded. 

To  the  many  other  questions  of  how  I  knew,  if  I  had  a  dream,  etc.,  I  made 
little  or  no  reply,  except  to  reassert  my  conviction  of  the  truth  of  what  I  had  told 
them  ;  and  I  further  remarked  that  probably  Mr.  -  -  (one  of  the  neighbors  who 
usually  went  to  the  village  or  city  every  day  when  anything  of  importance  was 
expected  from  the  army,  and  therefore  the  first  to  get  any  news  therefrom)  would 
be  in  during  the  day  and  confirm  my  statement. 

As  the  forenoon  wore  away  my  anxiety  to  hear  from  the  front  increased ;  not 
that  I  doubted  in  the  least  the  truth  of  my  prediction,  but  that  I  wanted  the  rest 
of  the  family  to  be  assured  that  I  was  not  mistaken,  and  to  know  myself  such 
additional  particulars  as  the  newspapers  might  give.  Before  noon  Mr.  —  -  was 
seen  coming  over  across  the  fields,  and  soon  we  were  all  eager  listeners  to  the  news 
he  brought.  He  told  of  the  great  battle  that  had  been  fought,  of  the  death  of 
Lieutenant  French  and  twenty  or  thirty  others  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment,  but 
thought  my  husband  was  all  right,  because  his  name  was  not  in  the  list  of  killed 
or  wounded.  A  day  or  two  later  and  a  letter  from  his  own  hand  left  no  longer 
room  for  doubt  that  he  had  passed  through  the  terrible  carnage  unscathed. 

With  such  news  to  encourage  and  cheer  me,  my  folks  could  not  understand 
why  I  still  continued  sad,  gloomy,  and  despondent.  At  first  they  attributed  it 
to  the  untimely  fall  of  our  early  friend  and  schoolmate,  Lieutenant  French,  but 
seeing  no  change  as  the  days  went  by,  they  thought  that  I  must  be  sick,  as  indeed 
I  was,  but  it  was  a  disease  of  the  heart  that  no  medicine  could  reach,  and  the  cause 
of  which  they  little  knew.  My  husband  was  alive  and  well,  but  the  empty  coffin 
was  constantly  before  me,  and  there  was  but  little  more  doubt  in  my  mind  for 
whom  it  remained  open,  than  there  was  whom  I  saw  in  the  other  one. 

Thus  the  fall  and  the  winter  came  and  went,  and  in  the  spring  the  regiment, 
as  you  know,  joined  the  forces  under  General  Butler,  and  was  engaged  in  several 
of  the  battles  and  skirmishes  between  Petersburg  and  Richmond.  Through 
them  all  my  husband  safely  went,  and  I  had  almost  begun  to  hope  that  I  was 
mistaken  in  the  interpretation  of  my  vision  when  a  letter  from  my  husband 
informed  me  that  the  Eighteenth  Corps,  in  which  was  his  regiment,  had  been 
ordered  by  transports  to  White  House  Landing,  whence  it  was  then  on  the  march 
to  reinforce  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  under  General  Grant. 


34$  History  of  the  TivclftJi  Regiment 

I  now  seemed  to  anticipate  afresh  that  the  sad  end,  so  long  delayed,  was  soon 
to  come ;  and  a  nervous  feeling  of  impending  danger  too  plainly  told  me  that  the 
worst  was  about  to  be  realized.  A  few  days  later  and  1  received  another  and  the 
last  letter  ever  written  by  him  for  whose  safe  return  I  had  so  long:  waited  and 

j  o 

prayed  in  vain.  It  was  written  on  the  night  and  in  the  early  morning  before  the 
terrible  charge  of  Cold  Harbor,  June  3,  1864. 

He  had  commenced  the  letter  on  the  evening  of  the  second,  and  wrote  that  the 
morrow  would  again  bring  carnage  and  death  into  the  ranks  of  the  Twelfth,  and 
that  he  felt  that  he  should  not  again  be  among  the  lucky  few  who  would  escape 
unharmed.  About  midnight  he  wrote  again,  saying  he  was  sure  he  should  fall, 
but  whether  he  should  be  killed  on  the  field  or  receive  his  mortal  wound  he  could 
not  tell.  Toward  morning,  and  but  a  short  time  before  the  charge,  he  finished 
the  letter,  stating  that  in  answer  to  his  prayers  he  had  then  the  assurance  that 
although  the  bitter  cup  must  be  drunk  for  the  redemption  of  his  country,  as  his 
great  Captain  had  drunk  his  for  the  redemption  of  the  world,  yet  he  should  not 
be  killed  outright,  but  should  live  to  see  me  once  more  at  least  before  he  died. 

This  was  enough,  for  I  knew  his  presentiment  must  prove  true,  and  with  a  hasty 
preparation  I  immediately  started  for  Washington  and  found  my  husband  there 
in  one  of  the  large  hospitals,  prostrate  and  weak  from  the  nervous  shock  and  loss 
of  blood  from  two  severe  wounds,  one  in  his  left  arm  and  the  other  in  his  right 
thigh. 

Now  followed  days  and  nights  of  watching  and  praying,  while  life  and  death 
seemed  balancing  in  the  scales,  until  at  last  the  physicians  spoke  encouragingly, 
and  thought  the  danger  well  nigh  passed.  His  arm  had  been  taken  off,  and  the 
stump  was  healing  so  well  that  he,  too,  was  beginning  to  entertain  strong  hopes 
of  final  recovery  and  the  enjoyment  of  many  happy  days  with  me  in  our  pleasant 
cottage  home. 

We  had  talked  over  our  trials  in  the  past  and  our  hopes  for  the  future;  he  had 
told  me  of  the  battles  he  had  been  in,  and  of  his  narrow  escapes;  and  several 
times  spoke  of  the  great  battle  of  Gettysburg,  and  the  death  of  Lieutenant  French, 
and  of  how  he  had  saved  the  national  colors  of  his  regiment  from  capture  in  that 
battle.  When  told  that  I  had  never  before  heard  anything  about  his  saving  the 
flag,  he  seemed  surprised,  and  wondered  that  Adjutant  Heath,  who  went,  you 
know,  from  the  same  town,  had  never  written  home  about  it. 

He  then  related  to  me  briefly  the  circumstances,  and  said:  "If  I  should  not 
live  to  get  home,  Heath,  I  have  no  doubt,  will  make  known  the  facts  about  it 
and  see  that  full  justice  is  done  me." 

He  also  talked  to  me  freely  all  about  the  strange  premonition  he  had  the  night 
before  he  was  wounded,  how  deeply  it  impressed  him,  and  how  glad  and  thank 
ful  he  was  and  ought  to  be  that  he  was  not  killed,  like  so  many  of  the  brave  boys 
around  him,  but  was  still  alive  with  the  chances  daily  increasing  of  his  seeing 
his  native  hills  once  more,  and  there  living  to  enjoy  the  blessings  of  peace  which 
he  had  given  his  own  blood  and  limbs  to  secure. 

During  all  this  time,  nearly  two  months,  I  said  nothing  of  my  own  warning 
more  than  a  year  before,  and,  although  it  was  almost  constantly  in  my  mind,  I 
carefully  avoided  saying  or  doing  anything  to  awaken  in  his  mind  a  suspicion 
that  I  did  not  share  with  him  his  often  expressed  and  most  sanguine  hopes  of  his 
final  recovery. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  349 

And,  to  tell  the  fact,  he  had  lived  so  long  and  improved  so  much,  that,  at 
times,  the  desire  to  have  it  so  was  so  strong,  I  thought  I  could  see  a  silver  lining 
to  the  dark  cloud  of  fear  and  doubt  that  had  for  many  months  hung  over  me ;  but 
it  would  soon  disappear  and  leave  a  still  deeper  shade  of  gloom,  that  no  ray  of 
hope  could  penetrate  or  dispel.  But  the  days  and  nights  of  anxious  waiting  and 
watching  were  at  last  nearly  numbered,  and  the  final,  fatal  hour  was  fast  approach 
ing.  As  well  and  hopeful  as  usual,  my  husband  had  closed  his  eyes  in  peace 
ful,  quiet  rest ;  but  something  of  the  same  dread  feeling  of  impending  danger 
that  I  had  felt  once  or  twice  before,  as  you  will  remember,  came  over  me,  and  I 
could  not  sleep. 

Soon  I  was  summoned  to  his  bedside,  and  I  knew,  even  before  I  could  get 
there,  that  the  dread  messenger  had  come.  I  found  him,  slowly  but  surely,  bleed 
ing  to  death  !  Secondary  hemorrhage  from  his  wound  in  the  groin,  caused  by 
the  sloughing  open  of  one  of  the  femoral  arteries,  had  broken  out,  and  there  was 
no  power  in  medical  skill  to  stop  it. 

Just  as  he  breathed  his  last,  a  stream  of  blood  ran  from  off  the  foot  of  his  bed 
upon  the  floor,  just  as  I  had  seen  it  run  out  the  foot  of  the  empty  coffin,  and  the 
realization  of  my  vision  was  then  and  there  sadly  and  solemnly  consummated. 

The  following  strange  but  true  story  the  writer  had  himself  from  the 
lips  of  the  widow  of  David  S.  Sanborn,  of  Company  H,  who  was  killed 
in  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  June  3,  1864.  Mrs.  Sanborn  still  resides  in 
Laconia,  where  her  husband  resided  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment.* 

The  night  before  the  battle  in  which  David  was  killed,  I  had  a  strange  dream 
— if  I  can  rightly  call  it  such,  for  it  seemed  like  no  other  di'eam   I  ever  had  — 
which  proved,  as  you  will  see,  most  seriously  and  solemnly  prophetic. 

It  then  and  has  ever  since  seemed  to  me  that  I  was  as  fully  awake  as  I  am  at 
this  moment,  but  I  suppose  I  could  not  have  been.  But  however  that  may  be,  I 
thought  I  saw  my  husband  in  the  midst  of  the  fight,  and  pushing  bravely  forward 
with  his  comrades  toward  the  rebel  lines.  And  while  watching,  with  a  com 
mingled  feeling  of  pride  for  his  valor  and  fear  for  his  danger,  I  saw  him  and  others 
by  his  side  go  down,  and  it  seemed  as  if  I  could  hear  the  roar  of  the  guns  and 
was  for  a  moment  in  the  midst  of  the  conflict  and  carnage.  I  saw,  oh  so  pain 
fully  plain  !  my  dear  husband  lie  bleeding  and  dying  upon  the  ground,  with  the 
dead  and  wounded  all  around  him  ;  and  so  distinctly  vivid  was  the  scene  that  it 
almost  makes  me  shudder  now  to  recall  it.  I  even  remember  the  general  outline 
of  the  field  as  it  appeared  to  me  and  the  particular  configuration  of  the  ground 
where  David  fell  and  I  saw  him  lying;  and  I  have  since  been  told  by  members  of 
his  company  who  were  in  the  battle,  but  lived  to  come  home,  that  my  description 
of  the  field  and  battle  was  about  as  accurate  as  they  could  have  given  themselves. 

Well,  my  vision  ended  with  his  death,  and  when  I  arose  in  the  morning — I 
will  not  say  aivokc  for  it  seemed,  as  I  have  said,  that  I  was  not  asleep  —  it  was 
the  beginning  of  my  great  sorrow,  for  I  felt  as  sure  then,  and  every  day  until  the 
news  came  by  mail,  as  I  did  afterward,  that  my  life  companion  would  greet  me 
no  more  on  the  shores  of  time. 

And  notwithstanding  the  efforts  of  my  relatives  and  friends  to  make  me  believe 
it  was  only  a  dream,  and  that  the  next  letter  I  should  get  from  him  would  not 

*  Recently  deceased. 


350  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

only  prove  that  he  was  alive  and  well,  but  show  perhaps  that  he  had  not  been  in 
any  recent  battle,  it  was  all  hopelessly  vain,  for  I  knew,  as  I  told  them,  that  I 
had  received  my  last  letter  from  him. 

Thus  much  for  the  wife's  vision  on  the  night  before  that  fatal  morn  ;  but 
who  can  tell  what  her  soldier  husband  saw  or  felt  while  he  stood  silently 
watchful  as  a  picket  amid  the  surrounding  gloom  of  the  same  night? 
What  entered  into  his  mind  and  heart,  and  left  its  solemn  conviction  there, 
is,  like  the  vision,  beyond  the  power  of  mortals  to  decide  or  explain  ;  but 
that  something  did  there  can  be  no  question. 

Almon  J.  Farrar,  of  the  same  company,  says: 

At  that  time  Sanborn  and  I  tented  together,  and  he,  on  the  night  before  the 
battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  was  detailed  for  picket.  Early  the  next  morning,  before 
the  pickets  came  in,  rations  were  issued,  and  I,  as  was  usual  for  one  tent-mate  to 
do  when  the  other  was  absent,  drew  his  rations  with  my  own.  So  when  he  was 
relieved  and  came  to  his  quarters,  I  told  him  that  rations  had  just  been  distributed 
but  that  I  had  looked  out  for  him.  Not  receiving  an  immediate  response  of  some 
kind,  as  was  expected,  I  looked  up  at  him,  and  saw  that  he  looked  pale  and 
troubled.  I  was  about  to  ask  him  if  he  was  sick,  but  before  I  could  do  so  he 
said:  "Well,  you  will  never  have  to  draw  any  more  rations  for  me."  Wish 
ing  to  hear  what  more  he  might  feel  inclined  to  say  I  asked  him  what  he  meant, 
although  I  already  too  well  knew,  "  Because  I  have  eaten  my  last  ration,"  was 
his  short  but  solemn  reply. 

He  ate  not  a  mouthful  of  the  breakfast  I  had  prepared  for  him,  for  I  knew, 
from  the  orders  that  had  come  in  during  the  night,  that  he  would  have  no  time  to 
do  so  before  being  called  into  the  ranks,  and  only  said,  as  I  tried  to  cheer  him 
up:  "  It's  no  use,  my  last  hour  has  come,"  and  so  it  proved,  for  before  another 
had  commenced  he  lay  one  among  the  many  who  had  fallen  to  rise  no  more. 

The  venerable  Christian  parents  of  "the  Nelson  boys,"  as  they  were 
called,  of  Company  D,  both  had  a  warning  of  the  death  of  their  son  Dan, 
who  was  killed  at  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning,  while  assisting  his 
wounded  brother  from  off  the  field  of  Chancellorsville. 

That  of  the  father  seemed  to  be  in  the  nature  of  a  presentiment,  while 
that  of  the  mother  was  entirely  different,  although  it  is  significant  that 
both  were  felt  and  heard  at  the  same  hour  that  the  angel  of  death  visited 
their  son  more  than  a  thousand  miles  away.  The  former  sought  and 
found  relief  in  prayer,  although  confirmed  thereby  in  the  belief  that  his 
son  would  never  more  return. 

The  writer,  who  visited  them  at  their  old  homestead  in  Bristol,  heard 
the  strange  experiences  of  both  from  their  own  mouths,  and  will  here 
give,  as  near  as  memory  will  allow,  the  mother's  strange  story  as  if  she 
herself  was  talking  to  the  reader. 

I  was  sitting  here  alone  in  this  very  room  one  forenoon,  which,  as  I  well  remem 
ber,  was  on  the  30!  day  of  May,  1863.  All  at  once  there  was  a  quick,  loud  rattle  of 
the  fence  bars,  that  you  can  see  there  directly  across  the  road,  and  the  thought  came 


Ne-w  Hampshire  Volunteers.  351 

into  my  mind,  how  much  that  sounds  as  I  have  often  heard  them  when  one  of 
my  dear  boys,  now  so  far  away,  would  spring  upon  and  over  the  bars  in  going 
across  lots  to  one  of  our  neighbors  whose  sons  were  intimate  with  mine.  This 
naturally  led  me  into  feelings  of  sadness,  from  which,  however,  I  was  quickly 
startled  by  the  plain  sound  of  footsteps  coming  across  the  dooryard  and  approach 
ing  the  end  door.  The  sound  of  the  footsteps  ceased  when  the  door  was  reached, 
and  I  waited  and  listened  a  moment  for  some  one  to  rap  or  come  in;  but,  hear 
ing  nothing  more,  I  got  up  and  went  to  that  window,  where,  as  you  notice,  I 
could  see  both  the  doorway  and  all  that  part  of  the  yard,  but  no  mortal  person 
nor  living  thing  could  be  seen.  I  then  went  immediately  out  of  the  door  and 
looked  all  around  the  buildings,  but  could  not  see  or  hear  anyone,  nor  see  any 
tracks  where  I  had  first  heard  the  footsteps  near  the  corner  of  the  house. 

You  may  ask  what  there  was  to  startle  me  when  I  heard  the  footsteps,  since 
the  sound  of  the  bars  indicated  that  some  one  had  climbed  or  jumped  over  them, 
as  I  supposed  there  had,  and  it  was  quite  as  probable  as  otherwise  that  any  per 
son  doing  so  would  be  on  some  errand  to  the  house.  Ah  !  here  comes  in  the 
mystery  —  his  invisible  presence  !  as  I  then  felt  and  have  ever  since  believed  ;  for 
the  step  that  I  heard  ivas  the  peculiar  and  unmistakable  step  of  Dan  ! 

You  will  not  wonder  now  that  it  startled  me  almost  into  trembling;  nor  doubt 
me  when  I  tell  you  that  from  out  the  solemn  silence  that  followed,  there  came  to 
me  a  voice  unheard,  but  painfully  felt  and  plainly  understood,  that  told  me  that 
my  dear  boy  was  no  longer  a  resident  of  earth. 

The  days  that  followed,  before  any  report  came  from  the  field  of  battle,  were 
those  of  resignation  rather  than  apprehension  about  him,  for  both  my  husband 
and  myself  felt  and  were  nearly  certain  what  that  report  would  contain  in  rela 
tion  to  his  fate.  Our  only  fear  was  for  his  two  brothers,  one  of  whom,  as  we 
soon  learned,  had  been  seriously  wounded. 

Something  similar  to  the  strange  experience  of  the  Nelson  parents,  fust 
related,  is  that  of  the  father  and  mother  of  Alfred  W.  Maxfield,  of  Com 
pany  F,  who  was  killed  in  the  same  battle  as  the  Nelson  boy. 

Mrs.  Maxfield,  in  telling  her  story  some  years  ago,  said  that  she  well 
remembered  the  day  that  her  son  was  killed,  and  always  should  until  her 
death,  because  she  never  had  anything  like  it  come  to  her  before. 

She  said  she  could  not  explain  nor  even  intelligently  express  her  feel 
ings  in  full,  but  one  thing,  more  prominent  than  all  the  rest,  was  that  it 
seemed  as  if  her  son  was  with  or  very  near  her ;  and  so  strong  was  this 
mysterious  impression  that  she  would  look  up  from  her  work  and  around 
her  to  see  if  he  was  not  actually  present.  She  felt  and  then  believed  that 
he  was  dead  and  his  spirit  was  with  her.  And  who  shall  question  it, 
since  no  other  explanation  can  be  given,  and  at  that  time  his  spirit  no 
longer  animated  the  material  form  that  lay  motionless  and  breathless  on 
the  field  of  Chancellorsville. 

But  stranger  still,  and  seemingly  impossible,  his  father  said  that  while 
at  work  in  the  field,  at  or  about  the  same  time,  his  son  appeared  to  him 
in  bodily  form,  and  that  he  saw  him,  or  thought  he  did,  as  plainly  as 
he  ever  saw  him  in  his  life. 


35 2  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

The  following  concerning  Henry  H.  Nickerson,  of  Company  B,  is  from 
the  pen  of  George  E.  Place,  of  the  same  company  : 

He  had  been  showing  such  depression  of  mind  that  I  finally  inquired  of  him 
the  cause.  He  replied  that  the  first  battle  he  went  into  he  should  be  killed.  I 
tried  to  cheer  him  up,  arguing  that  presentiments  were  simply  superstitions;  but 
I  could  not  lift  him  out  of  his  mood.  I  was  in  the  habit  of  offering  prayer  when 
retiring  at  night,  and  one  night  to  my  surprise  he  knelt  with  me  and  prayed. 
After  that  he  appeared  more  cheerful,  but  would  occasionally  refer  to  his  present 
iment.  The  following  spring  occurred  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  and  in  that 
fight  he  was  killed. 

Captain  Savage  foresaw  his  doom  and  told  Surgeon  Fowler  the  clay  of 
its  coming.  It  seems,  from  what  his  widow  has  since  related,  that  he 
must  have  had  quite  a  clear  vision  of  his  fate  from  a  time  almost  as  early 
as  his  enlistment,  and  that  he  felt  very  sure,  when  at  home  on  a  furlough 
a  short  time  before  the  battle  in  which  he  fell,  that  he  should  never  return 
to  his  family  again. 

Many  others  might  be  mentioned,  if  space  permitted,  as  having  pre 
sentiments  of  their  death,  among  whom  are  Edwin  A.  Kelley,  of  Com 
pany  F;  Frank  Knowlton  and  Benjamin  F.  Sanborn,  of  Company  D; 
and  several  of  the  recruits.  Of  the  latter  was  Frederick  W.  Dietze,  of 
Company  F,  who  was  killed  at  Cold  Harbor.  He  told  Sergt.  B.  M.  Til- 
ton  the  day  before  the  battle  that  he  expected  to  be  killed,  and  that  he  had 
fifteen  hundred  dollars  in  a  waist  belt  that  he  wore  about  his  body,  which 
he  wanted  Tilton,  if  he  fell,  to  take  and  send  to  one  of  his  relatives,  giving 
Tilton  the  name  and  place.  He  fell  as  he  had  predicted,  and  the  money 
was  sent  as  requested. 

And  last  to  be  related  of  the  regiment,  though  the  first  to  happen,  is 
the  case  of  Darius  Robinson,  of  Company  I.  It  was  the  first  sad  lesson 
of  the  regiment  in  the  strange  mystery  of  presentiments,  and  left  too  deep 
an  impression  to  ever  be  forgotten.  He  was  a  strong,  resolute,  and  ap 
parently  a  brave  hearted  man  ;  and  he  appeared  light  hearted  and  cheer 
ful  with  the  rest  of  the  boys  until  the  regiment  reached  Baltimore  on  its 
way  from  Concord  to  Washington  and  the  battlefields  of  the  South. 
Here,  while  waiting  for  transportation,  a  sudden  and  very  remarkable 
change  came  over  him,  and  when  inquiry  was  made  by  his  officers  and 
comrades  as  to  the  cause,  he  said  he  was  going  to  be  killed,  and  be 
moaned  his  fate  because  of  his  wife  and  child. 

Thinking  that  he  referred  to  and  was  worrying  about  being  killed  when 
the  regiment  should  be  called  into  action,  and  knowing  nothing  then 
about  presentiments,  they  made  light  of  his  fears,  telling  him  that  it  was 
foolish  and  unmanly  to  borrow  trouble  about  a  thing  so  far  ahead,  and 
that  he  might  never  have  to  go  into  battle  at  all.  His  reply  was  that  the 
folly  was  with  them  instead  of  him,  for  he  knew  what  he  was  talking 
about  while  they  did  not.  He  said  he  had  no  fears  nor  expectations  of 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 

ever  going  into  a  battle,  and  knew  that  he  never  should,  unless  fought 
within  two  hours,  for  he  should  be  shot  through  the  heart  before  the  regi 
ment  reached  Washington.  Thirteen  miles  from  there  and  he  lay  a 
corpse  on  the  bottom  of  the  car  through  the  door  of  which  the  fatal  bullet 
entered  and  pierced  his  heart,  just  as  he  had  predicted  !* 

Although  it  was  not  intended  to  extend  this  subject  beyond  the  family 
circle  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment,  the  exceptions  concerning  General 
Sickles  and  Colonel  Cross,  of  the  Fifth  New  Hampshire,  will  be  here 
given. 

General  Sickles  was  so  sure  that  he  would  be  seriously  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg,  where  he  lost  a  leg,  that  he  had  Doctor  Alexander 
take  the  place  of  Doctor  Simms  as  medical  director  of  his  corps,  that  the 
latter,  in  whose  skill  he  had  great  confidence,  might  be  at  liberty  to 
attend  to  him. 

The  heroic  Colonel  Cross,  who  was  mortally  wounded  in  the  same 
battle,  predicted  his  death  before,  saying  to  his  old  friend,  Colonel 
Whipple,  while  at  home  recovering  from  wounds  received  at  Fredericks- 
burg,  that  he  should  surely  be  killed  in  the  next  battle  he  should  partici 
pate  in  after  his  return  to  duty.  He  expressed  the  same  conviction  to 
many  others,  among  whom  were  Doctors  Fowler  and  Sanborn,  of  the 
Twelfth,  telling  them  where  and  how  he  should  be  wounded,  and 
expressing  a  wish  that  he  could  have  been  shot  dead  and  spared  the 
pain  of  such  a  wound.  This  was  but  a  day  or  txvo  before  the  battle,  in 
which  he  remarked  to  one  of  his  officers  who  knew  of  his  feelings:  "  I 
am  still  upon  my  feet,  you  see,  but  my  time  is  short." 

A  few  minutes  later  he  was  being  carried  from  the  field  upon  which  he 
had  been  prostrated  by  a  bullet  penetrating  his  bowels  and  lodging  in  his 
spine;  knowing  that  his  wound  was  mortal,  he  wanted  his  men  to  shoot 
him  and  end  his  suffering. 

*  See  page  25. 


354  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


THE  "BoYS." 

•One  of  the  strongest  evidences  of  the  immortality  of  the  human  soul  is 
that,  while  confined  to  this  terrestrial  sphere,  it  is  always  young. 

The  mere  animal  senses,  from  which  most  of  the  outward  acts  evolve, 
may  become  dull  and  dim,  and  the  physical  powers  weakened  by  the 
wear  and  strain  of  task  and  time  ;  but  there  is  something  deeper  down  in 
the  well-spring  of  our  spiritual  being,  call  it  what  or  when  you  may, 
that  never  fails  to  respond  to  the  bright  and  beautiful,  as  well  as  the  noble 
and  the  good.  And  it  is  from  this  source  that  the  sweet,  pure  waters  of 
perpetual  youth  corne  bubbling  up,  to  refresh  and  rejuvenate  the  old,  as 
well  as  to  enliven  and  exhilarate  the  young. 

Ponce   de    Leon    is    not  the   only  one    who   has   crossed    oceans    and 
traversed  continents  to  find  that  which  alone  exists  in  the  human  heart  — 
"the  fountain  of  perpetual  youth.'' 

Yet  such  is  the  folly  of  the  world  that,  urged  by  the  impulse  of  blind 
desire  rather  than  guided  by  the  wisdom  of  sober  reflection,  we  chase, 
like  boys  that  we  are,  our  own  shadows  until  the  sun  of  life's  short  day 
has  set,  and  we  rest  in  the  dark,  still  night  of  the  grave. 

Rest !  Nay  ;  for  what  is  the  need  of  rest  for  that  which  never  grows 
old  nor  weary?  And  who  shall  question,  that  in  this  final  so  called  rest 
of  the  tired  and  worn  out  embodiment  of  animalized  clay,  we  shall  find 
that,  the  shadow  of  which  we  have  so  long  pursued  —  the  youth  and 
pleasure  of  immortality. 

But  craving  pardon  of  the  reader  for  so  long  an  introductory  ramble 
along  the  mystic  border  of  the  spirit  world,  let  us  return  to  our  text  and 
subject,  and  write  about  the  "boys"  a  while. 

This  was  a  common  name  given  to  all,  whether  young  or  old,  who 
wore  the  blue  at  any  time,  '61  to  '65,  and  which  still  clings  to  those  who 
now  survive,  though  their  heads  are  fast  whitening  by  the  bleaching 
frosts  of  life's  closing  years. 

That  this  should  have  become  the  term  used  by  officers  and  men  and 
finally  adopted  everywhere  outside  of  the  army  as  well  as  in,  is  not  sur 
prising  when  it  is  considered  that  a  great  majority  of  those  who  enlisted 
were  in  the  years  of  adolescence  or  scarcely  beyond  the  age  of  legal 
responsibility.  With  so  large  a  sprinkling  of  beardless  humanity  in  the 
make-up  of  the  army,  it  is  easy  to  imagine  that  there  must  have  been 
more  or  less  of  frolic  and  fun  to  enliven  the  otherwise  dull  and  monoto 
nous  routine  of  camp  life.  One  of  the  principal  sources  of  amusement 
among  them  was  card  playing.  This  was  so  universally  common  that 
few,  even  including  the  chaplains,  did  not  learn  to  "  call,"  "  pass," 
"  beg,"  or  "  peg  "  in  the  different  games  of  poker,  euchre,  high-low-jack, 
cribbage,  etc. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  355 

Many,  who  had  been  brought  up  to  look  upon  a  pack  of  cards  as  a 
bunch  of  fifty-two  free  passes  to  eternal  ruin,  soon  forgot  or  reasoned 
away  their  early  home-instilled  prejudice,  and  became  adept  euchre 
players.  This  was  the  great  game  in  the  army  and  did  not  loose  its  hold 
upon  the  "  boys"  when  the  war  ended,  but  it  soon  became  so  universally 
popular  that  a  well  worn  "  euchre  deck"  could  be  found  in  almost  every 
house.  The  good  old  father  and  mother  looked  on,  at  first,  with  fear 
and  trembling,  but  they  could  not  deny  what  seemed  to  afford  so  much 
pleasure  to  their  boy  for  whose  safe  return  they  had  so  long  waited  and 
prayed  ;  and,  beside,  whatever  of  evil  there  was,  it  was  too  late  to  avert, 
for  he  had  already  learned  to  play.  And  so,  not  only  were  the  long 
winter  evenings  made  merry  by  the  boys  and  girls  playing  four-handed 
games  of  euchre,  in  many  houses  where  a  game  of  cards  was  never 
played  before  ;  but,  stranger  still,  such  is  the  power  of  example,  upon 
the  old  as  well  as  the  young,  to  influence  for  good  or  evil,  that  in  many 
pious  homes  the  game  was  admitted  and  entertained  as  a  welcome  guest 
where,  a  few  years  before,  it  would  not  have  been  allowed  an  introduc 
tion  to  any  of  the  family.  Whether  there  will  be  blessings  or  curses  in 
another  world  for  this  great  change  from  the  old  Puritanic  order  of 
Christian  society,  the  reader  must  decide  for  himself  and  act  accordingly. 

But  there  were  many  other  ways  for  amusement  in  the  army  beside 
card  playing,  and  some  that  were  not  so  pleasing  to  all  concerned. 
Pranks,  tricks,  and  jokes  of  every  class  and  kind  filled  up  the  leisure 
hours  of  some  who  seemed  to  believe  that  a  little  mischief  is  the  spice  of 
fun.  We  will  give  just  a  few  of  those  most  commonly  practiced. 
A  suspected  "  rheumatic,"  who  has  been  for  a  long  time  excused  from 
duty,  is  frying  his  pork  and  steeping  his  coffee,  on  the  coals  in  his  little 
winter-hut  fireplace,  for  supper,  preparatory  to  taking  a  comfortable 
night's  snooze,  while  some  of  his  company  comrades  are  getting  ready  to 
go  on  guard,  where  they  think  he  ought  to  be.  Pretty  soon  there  is  an 
explosion,  and  the  pork  and  coffee,  with  frying  pan,  dipper,  coals,  ashes, 
and  burning  faggots,  either  go  up  the  chimney  or  chase  each  other 
around  the  poor  fellow's  head  and  tent,  as  he  jumps  like  a  scorched  cat 
from  the  one  just  in  time  to  receive  a  shower  of  hot  coffee  and  ashes  upon 
the  other.  The  next  morning  there  is  noticed  an  extra  hitch  in  his  gait, 
as  he  cripples  along  behind  the  "whiskey  and  quinine  squad"  to  get 
excused  again  from  duty,  which  is  especially  pleasing  to  those  who  have 
found  that  a  mixture  of  powder  and  hot  ashes  while  it  gives  instanta 
neous  relief  is  not  a  lasting  cure  for  rheumatism. 

"Smoking  out"  was  another  way  of  bringing  the  inmates  out  of  their 
tents,  which  though  less  expeditious  was  quite  as  effectual.  This  was  easily 
done  by  climbing  up  the  cob-house  chimney,  covering  the  top  over  with 
an  old  rubber  blanket  or  barrel  head,  and  then  hiding  near  by  and  listen 
ing  for  results.  Of  course  this  would  be  done  after  dark,  and  the  fun 
came  to  the  ears  rather  than  to  the  eyes,  but  was  none  the  less  enjoyable 


356  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

for  those  who  liked  to  hear  another  audibly  manifest  his  utter  disregard 
of  the  third  commandment  until  the  breath  that  came  from  his  mouth  was 
nearly  as  blue  as  the  smoke  that  poured  out  of  the  door  of  his  tent. 

His  boisterous  demonstrations  of  anger  would  arouse  his  comrades  for 
half  a  dozen  tents  or  more  on  either  side  of  the  company  street,  and 
prove  him  so  good  a  subject  for  that  kind  of  a  joke,  that  he  is  not  allowed 
to  rest  long  before  his  chimney  plays  the  balky  mule  with  him  again,  and 
then  he  makes  complaint  to  his  company  commander,  and  has  the 
great  satisfaction  of  being  assured  that  just  as  soon  as  the  offender  is 
apprehended,  he  will  surely  be  punished  ;  but  that  the  most  liberal  con 
struction  of  military  law  will  not  authorize  him  to  punish  the  whole 
company  for  the  wrongful  acts  of  one  or  two  of  its  members. 

Another  chimney  trick  was  to  drop  three  or  four  blank  cartridges  down 
the  smoke-flue  on  some  cold  evening  when  there  was  sure  to  be  a  good 
bed  of  coals  for  them  to  fall  upon,  and  late  enough  for  the  tent  occupants 
to  be  abed  and  asleep. 

As  between  the  wide-awakes  and  sleepy-heads  the  latter  were  naturally 
the  debtors  on  the  joke  ledger,  in  acts  as  well  as  words,  although  the  bal 
ance  was  sometimes  the  other  way. 

On  the  debtor  side  may  be  mentioned  the  following  :  One  warm,  sunny 
day  while  out  on  picket,  one  of  the  boys  at  the  reserve  camp  fell  asleep. 
After  a  long,  sound  snooze  he  dreamed  he  had  started  for  heaven,  heels 
foremost,  and  awoke  to  find  it  to  be  literally  true.  Some  of  his  comrades 
had  tied  his  legs  to  the  top  of  a  birch  tree,  that  they  had  bent  down,  and 
strung  him  up  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  in  the  air  by  his  heels. 

Another  one,  caught  napping,  had  a  fence  of  brush  wood  built  around 
him,  and  dreamed  that  he  had  gone  in  an  opposite  direction  from  the 
other  fellow,  and  was  suffering  the  tortures  of  the  wicked,  when  he 
awoke  to  find  himself  surrounded  by  a  circle  of  fire,  not  quite  near 
enough  to  scorch,  but  altogether  too  near  to  be  comfortable. 

There  was,  also,  no  lack  of  athletic  sports,  such  as  jumping,  pitching 
quoits,  wrestling,  etc.,  with  now  and  then,  in  the  regiments  favorably 
stationed  in  forts  or  on  garrison  duty,  a  game  of  base  ball,  although  this 
game  was  not  then,  as  now,  the  craze  of  the  day. 

In  the  wrestling  contests  the  Twelfth  had  one  boy  of  whom  his  regi 
mental  comrades  could  say  as  "  Bob"  Ingersoll  said  of  General  Grant: 
"  There  he  is,  match  him  if  you  can." 

He  was  a  drummer,  and  could  handle  his  feet  about  as  quickly  as  he 
could  his  drumsticks  ;  and  this  nimbleness  of  foot,  with  corresponding 
quickness  of  strength  and  elasticity  of  body,  allowed  him  to  easily  jeop 
ardize  the  understanding  of  his  antagonist,  while  of  his  own,  he  was  just 
about  as  sure  as  a  cat. 

His  name  was  Libby,  but  he  was  never  an  inmate  of  that  or  any  other 
rebel  prison,  for  his  nature  was  too  lively,  both  in  muscle  and  mind,  to  be 
captured  either  dead  or  alive.  His  strong  hold  was  "  collar  and  elbow," 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers  357 

in  which  trial  he  would  stand  up  to  the  last,  and  then  call  for  the  "next." 
Though  his  title  of  championship  was  often  contested,  it  was  never 
yielded,  within  the  knowledge  of  the  writer,  who  has  often  seen  him 
prove  his  rightful  claim  to  it. 

But  the  reader  must  not  infer,  from  what  we  have  written,  that  all  the 
time  not  occupied  by  the  duties  of  military  service  was  spent  in  mere 
pastime  games  and  sports.  Some  found  both  pleasure  and  profit  in  writ 
ing  many  letters  to  friends  and  relatives  at  home.  One  officer,  whose 
ambition  to  deserve  well  of  his  country  would  not  allow  him  to  stay  at 
home  and  plead  the  excuse  that  he  had  just  been  married,  used  to  write 
his  young  wife  a  letter  ever}'  day  while  he  was  in  the  service,  making 
nearly  a  thousand  letters,  longer  or  shorter  according  to  circumstances, 
written  to  her  alone,  with  nearly  as  many  loving  replies  for  him  to  read. 

There  was,  also,  an  extensive  correspondence  by  the  "boys"  with 
patriotic  girls  from  all  parts  of  the  North,  who,  under  assumed  names, 
would  first  write  in  answer  to  soldiers'  advertisements  in  the  papers  "  solic 
iting  correspondence  with  two  or  three  intelligent  young  ladies  with  a 
view  to  pleasure,  profit,  and  perhaps  future  acquaintance."  This  was  so 
extensively  carried  on,  during  the  last  of  the  war,  that  thousands  of  letters 
were  interchanged  between  the  boys  in  the  army  and  the  girls  at  home  ; 
and  thousands  of  young  ladies,  many  of  them  of  the  highest  social  stand 
ing,  found  a  new  source  of  pleasure,  springing  out  of  a  high  and  patriotic 
sense  of  duty,  in  writing  interesting  and  encouraging  letters,  and  thus 
contributing  in  no  small  degree  to  the  mental  pleasure  and  profit  and  the 
moral  elevation  of  the  many  happy  recipients.  So  prominently  popular 
did  this  custom  become,  before  the  end  of  the  war,  that  many  newspapers 
and  literary  journals  freely  offered  their  columns  for  notices  of  this  kind 
sent  them  from  the  army;  and  the  "  Waverley  Magazine"  had,  at  one 
time,  no  less  than  three  or  four  hundred  of  them  in  a  single  issue.  One 
of  a  few  rhyming  couplets,  written  and  sent  to  that  paper  by  a  member 
of  the  Twelfth  in  the  summer  of  '64,  and  given  the  post  of  honor  by 
being  printed  at  the  head  of  the  first  column  of  a  whole  page  or  more  of 
similar  advertisements,  was  answered  by  nearly  a  hundred  letters  from 
all  parts  of  the  North.  Most  of  these  were  evidently  \vritten  by  ladies 
of  education  and  refinement ;  and  not  a  few,  coming  from  those  of  the 
"blue  stocking"  class,  were  rare  specimens  of  Chesterfieldian  type,  and 
abounded  in  noble,  patriotic,  and  soul-inspiring  sentiments  that  found  a 
ready  echo,  and  made  a  lasting  impression  in  the  heart  of  the  young 
but  veteran  soldier  who  was  fortunate  enough  to  receive  them.  Those 
he  could  not  find  time  to  answer  himself,  he  gave  to  his  comrades  to 
answer. 

Had  more  such  letters  been  received,  early  in  the  war,  in  place  of  the 
illiterate,  disloyal,  copperhead  kind  from  stay-at-homes  in  the  states  and 
runaways  to  Canada,  there  would  have  been  less  skulking  and  fewer 
desertions  from,  and  more  victories  for,  the  Union  army. 


358  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

These  epistolary  acquaintances  did  not  always  end  with  the  war,  but 
were  often  continued  long  after ;  and,  sometimes,  where  the  interest  and 
pleasure  were  reciprocal,  ripened  into  friendship  and  matrimony.  Many 
a  romantic  love  story,  with  more  of  truth  than  fiction,  might  be  and 
doubtless  has  been  written,  the  first  chapter  of  which  would  intro 
duce  the  brave  soldier  boy  and  his  fair  but  unknown  correspondent, 
many  hundred  miles  apart.  Photographs  were  often  solicited  and 
exchanged,  and  some  pictures  of  rare  beauty,  and  bespeaking  as  well  as 
the  letters  the  highest  type  of  intelligence  and  refinement,  have  long  had 
a  place  in  the  family  albums  of  more  than  one  of  the  once  young  and 
happy  soldier  boys  of  the  Twelfth. 

But  something  more  than  the  amusing  and  sentimental  was  necessary 
to  satisfy  the  active  minds  of  many,  who,  while  they  felt  that  no  sacrifice 
was  too  great  in  their  country's  cause,  were  yet  impatient  for  the  end  to 
come,  that  they  might  once  more  return  to  the  schools  and  colleges  they 
had  left  and  prepare  themselves  to  win  laurels  on  the  broad  battlefield  of 
civil  life,  where  merit  and  not  favoritism  bestows  the  badge  of  honor  or 
the  insignia  of  command. 

These  sent  home  and  had  standard  text-books  of  the  schools  sent  out  to 
them,  and  employed  their  leisure  hours  in  storing  up  useful  knowledge. 
Among  these  might  have  been  found  Wayland's  "  Political  Economy," 
Locke's  "  Essay  on  the  Human  Understanding,"  "  Plutarch's  Lives,"  and 
the  poetical  works  of  Shakespeare,  Young,  Pope,  and  others  of  American 
as  well  as  English  authorship. 

Some  of  these  books  still  exist,  and  have  a  place  on  the  library  shelves 
of  ministers,  doctors,  lawyers,  and  judges,  who  were  once  privates  in  the 
ranks  of  war,  and  whose  names  may  be  found  in  the  general  roster  of  the 
Twelfth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers  at  the  end  of  this  book. 

So  much,  and  much  more  might  be  written,  in  relation  to  the  "  boys" 
—  their  games,  pastimes,  and  habits  of  camp  life —  who  took  a  part  in  the 
great  Rebellion  of  i86i-'65. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  359 


THE  RANK  AND  FILE. 

The  writer  of  this  history  would  always  feel  as  if  he  had  not  done  his 
full  duty,  if  he  should  neglect  especially  to  refer  to  how  great  a  share  of 
merit  and  praise  belongs  to  the  rank  and  file  in  our  late  war  :  yet  it  is  true 
that  to  that  great  majority,  who  so  faithfully  and  valiantly  served  in  that 
great  and  grand  army  of  Union  Volunteers  who  fought  for  one  flag  and 
one  destiny  for  our  Pilgrim  heritage,  a  just  measure  of  honorable  recog 
nition  has  seldom  if  ever  been  given. 

It  is  the  large,  uppermost,  and  therefore  visible  and  nicely  chiseled 
blocks  of  granite  that  are  usually  looked  upon  as  the  foundation  stones  of 
the  vast  and  imposing  superstructure  which  they  seem  alone  to  support 
and  uphold  ;  and  that  which  is  laid  with  formal  ceremony,  and  therefore 
attracts  the  greatest  attention,  is  called  the  chief  corner-stone,  symbolizing, 
in  this  illustration  of  an  army,  the  president  of  the  civil  government,  who, 
as  in  our  country,  is  commander-in-chief  of  the  army  and  navy. 

But  how  few  of  the  vast  multitudes  who  look  thereon,  and  to  whom  they 
are  pointed  out  with  pride,  allow  the  penetrating  gaze  of  their  mental 
vision  to  deepen  down  and  examine  the  equally  strong  and  necessary, 
though  smaller  and  less  symmetrical,  that  lie  below  ;  or  go  deeper  yet,  and 
thoughtfully  observe  and  consider  the  small  and  shapeless  cobble  or 
rubble  stones,  which,  though  unseen  and  seldom  thought  of,  are  the  most 
important  of  all,  for  they  underlie  the  foundation.  Upon  these,  as  the 
true  and  reliable  basis,  the  whole  superincumbent  weight  must  rest  though 
it  grind  and  crush  them  to  pieces  and  into  the  earth,  for  upon  their  united 
strength  and  endurance  the  fate  of  both  army  and  nation  depends. 

Upon  those,  then,  who  carry  the  knapsacks  and  the  muskets  falls 
the  great  burden  to  support  which  they  must  suffer  every  hardship  and 
toil,  their  only  privilege  being  to  passively  submit  and  patiently  endure. 

Such  is  the  necessary  subservience  of  the  rank  and  file  in  every  well 
disciplined  army,  that  all  the  non-commissioned  men  and  privates  are 
obliged  to  move  and  act  upon  the  low,  drag-drill  level  of  the  brute,  and 
in  many  of  the  armies  of  the  world  are  but  little  better  treated  or  more 
respected. 

As  a  mere  tool,  sharp  or  dull,  as  he  may  be  more  or  less  intelligent, 
the  private,  or  "enlisted  man"  (  as  all  are  called  in  our  army  not  holding 
a  commission),  acts  only  as  he  is  acted  upon  through  the  orders  of  his 
commander. 

He  has  no  voice,  choice,  or  discretion,  not  even  to  decide  whether  he  is 
sick  or  well ;  but  able  or  unable  he  must  do  duty,  unless  excused  by  the 
regimental,  or  some  other,  physician,  if  his  commanding  officer  says  so. 
No  matter  how  apparently  unreasonable,  hazardous,  or  sacrificial  the 
order,  it  must  be  obeyed,  for  to  refuse  is  mutiny,  and  the  penalty  is  death. 


360  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

"  His  not  to  question  why, 
His  but  to  do  and  die," 

is  the  one  short  couplet  that  tells  the  whole  truth. 

In  the  rank  and  file  of  no  other  army  did  there  ever  exist  so  high  an 
average  of  intelligence  as  was  found  among  the  sergeants,  corporals,  and 
privates  of  the  great  army  of  the  Union,  that  in  spite  of  official  incompe 
tence  and  jealousy  saved  to  posterity  the  noblest  heritage  of  Freedom. 

In  their  veins  flowed  the  best  blood  of  the  nation,  and  in  their  ranks 
could  be  found  honorable  and  even  distinguished  representatives  of  almost 
every  trade  and  profession  of  life.  They  came  not  only  from  the  farms, 
mills,  counting-rooms,  and  shops,  but  they  came  from  our  academies  and 
colleges,  from  the  platform,  the  pulpit,  and  the  bar,  and  even  from  the 
professor's  chair  and  the  judge's  bench. 

In  the  ranks  of  every  regiment  marched  men  equal  to  almost  any  emer 
gency,  and  often  far  superior,  morally  and  intellectually  to  him  whose 
eagle-strapped  shoulders  gave  him  the  authority  to  command.  Many  of 
these  served  for  three  years,  or  the  whole  war,  without  a  "strap"  or 
"stripe"  of  promotion;  and  some,  proudly  refusing  any  rank  higher  than 
a  private,  served  as  such  their  full  term  of  enlistment,  and  after  the  war 
were  rewarded  by  being  elected  to  Congress,  where  they  faithfully  served 
as  honored  representatives  of  the  states  that  elected  them  and  of  the  great 
grand  army  of  privates  of  the  whole  loyal  North. 

While  an  army,  however  .intelligent,  without  a  leader  is  little  better 
than  a  mob,  it  is  equally  true  that  the  leader,  whatever  his  skill  or  experi 
ence,  depends  mainly  upon  the  bravery  and  devotion  of  the  rank  and  file 
who  follow  him,  for  his  victories. 

But  such  was  the  intelligence  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  in  our  late 
war  that  had  its  commanders  depended  more  upon  the  average  judgment 
of  its  rank  and  file,  and  less  upon  the  advice  of  their  corps  commanders  it 
would  have  been  a  great  deal  better  for  the  common  cause. 

Had  their  reasonable  wishes  been  granted,  the  door  pried  open  by  their 
bayonets  at  Malvern  Hill  would  not  have  closed  until  Richmond  had  been 
securely  within  its  possession.  Had  their  protests  been  heeded,  the  need 
less  slaughter  and  fruitless  sacrifice  of  Fredericksburg  and  Cold  Harbor 
would  have  been  avoided,  and  many  thousands  of  precious  lives  saved  to 
be  yielded  up,  if  necessary,  upon  a  battlefield  where  there  was  some  rea 
sonable  prospect  of  success. 

A  vote  of  the  rank  and  file  at  Chancellorsville  instead  of  a  council  of 
war,  if  allowed  to  carry  out  their  wish  and  will  thus  expressed,  would  as 
surely  have  then  and  there  ended  the  slave-holders'  rebellion  as  it  did  the 
military  career  of  one  of  its  ablest  defenders;  for  the  destruction  of  Lee's 
army  which  he  could  not  have  avoided,  and  the  capture  of  Richmond 
which  must  have  inevitably  followed,  would  have  been  death  blows  to  the 
Southern  Confederacy,  and  two  years  more  of  awful  strife  would  never 
have  been  added  to  the  sad  history  of  our  civil  war. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  361 

Again  at  and  after  Gettysburg,  had  those  who  had  there  saved  the 
nation,  almost  in  spite  of  their  commander,  been  allowed  to  countercharge 
immediately  after  Pickett's  repulse,  or  even  to  follow  up  Lee's  retreat  as 
every  man  almost  was  eager  to,  knowing  well  their  great  advantage  in 
attacking  a  defeated  and  retreating  army  far  from  its  base  of  supplies, 
and  against  which  the  very  elements  were  conspiring  and  had  well  nigh 
cut  off  its  only  avenue  of  escape,  the  most  inexcusable  blunder,  perhaps, 
of  the  whole  war,  on  the  Union  side,  would  have  been  avoided,  and  Wil- 
liamsport  instead  of  Appomattox  would  have  been  the  Yorktown  of  the 
Rebellion. 

Some,  young  and  verdant,  scarcely  in  their  teens,  enlisted  from  the 
school-room  and,  before  the  close  of  the  war,  arose  to  high  rank  and  held 
responsible  positions,  commanding  regiments  and  even  brigades.  One 
who  was  enrolled  and  for  several  months  served  as  a  drummer-boy  in  the 
Twelfth  Regiment  was  promoted  to  a  captain,  twice  had  from  high  author 
ity  the  assurance  of  a  colonelcy,  rilled  the  office  for  some  time  of  general 
judge  advocate,  and  acted  for  several  days  as  chief  signal  officer  of  the 
Army  of  the  James.  It  has  been  truthfully  said  that  there  was  no  posi 
tion  in  the  army  below  that  of  a  major-general  that  could  not  have  been 
safely  filled  from  the  ranks  at  a  moment's  call,  although  it  was  no  great 
honor  to  many  of  the  non-commissioned  officers,  or  even  privates,  to  be 
placed  on  a  par  with  some  of  the  brigadiers  during  the  first  year  of  the  war. 

It  should  also  be  noticed  that  great  injustice  was  often  done  the  men 
in  the  ranks  in  the  selections  made  for  promotion.  Friendship  or  favor 
itism  often  were  more  potent  than  merit  or  ability  in  procuring  a  chevron 
or  an  epaulet;  and  sometimes  both,  especially  the  latter,  were  bought  for 
money  that  went  into  the  pockets  of  officers  who  were  not  half  as  honor 
able  or  worthy  of  respect  as  their  negro  servants  who  blacked  their  boots. 
It  is  also  true  that  the  men  were  quite  frequently  unjustly  punished  ;  and 
sometimes,  though  rarely,  unreasonably  and  cruelly  punished.  And 
here,  to  do  full  justice  to  all,  can  be  found  the  primal  cause  for  not  a  few 
of  the  many  desertions  in  our  army,  although  the  number  is  very  small 
as  compared  with  those  who  dishonored  themselves  and  their  country's 
cause  through  the  influence  and  even  advice  of  "  copperheads"  at  home. 

"  Deserted  "  is  a  dark  and  damaging  word  to  have  written  after  the 
name  of  any  person  who  enlisted  in  the  service  of  his  country  ;  and  some 
would  give  thousands  of  dollars  to  expunge  it  and  would  even  blot  it  out 
with  their  life's  blood  if  in  its  place  could  be  written  :  "  Killed  on  the  field 
of  battle."  Yet,  could  the  roll-book  of  the  recording  angel  be  opened  to 
mortal  ken,  some  of  those  who  are  marked  in  the  war  records  as  deserters 
would  be  found  recommended  for  promotion  or  honorably  discharged, 
while  very  many  of  those  who  were  honorably  discharged  would  be  found 
marked  as  deserters.  And  among  these  last  would  be  found  the  names  of 
a  surprising  number  of  officers  of  all  ranks  from  second  lieutenant  to  gen 
eral.  For  it  must  not  be  supposed  that  because  officers  are  not  often 


3^2  History  of  tJic  Twelfth  Regiment 

recorded  as  deserters  on  the  regimental  rolls  that  they  were  so  far  above 
the  moral,  rank-and-file  grade  as  never  to  have  been  guilty  of  such  a 
thing.  Justice  to  those  who  received  and  obeyed  orders  from  their  com 
missioned  superiors  requires  that  so  much  of  the  truth,  at  least,  be  told 
about  the  latter  as  shall  convince  the  reader  that  the  number  of  deserters 
were  as  large,  proportionally,  among  the  officers,  who  went  out  as  such, 
as  among  the  enlisted  men  ;  but  the  same  is  not  probably  true  of  those 
who  were  promoted  from  the  ranks. 

If  the  commanders  in  our  army,  who  had  the  power  to  accept  or  reject 
the  proffered  resignations  of  their  subordinate  officers,  could*  have  read 
between  the  lines  the  true  motive  and  real  purpose  of  "Yours  very 
respectfully,"  etc.,  a  much  smaller  number  of  these  plausibly  written  and 
obsequiously  addressed  requests  for  an  honorable  discharge  from  the 
service  would  have  been  returned  "approved,"  and  many  less  of  the  col 
onels,  majors,  captains,  etc.,  would  be  found  to-day  in  the  ranks  of  the 
living.  He,  though  an  officer,  was  none  the  less  a  deserter,  because  his 
rank  or  official  position  gave  him  a  better  chance  to  cover  his  cowardly 
tracks  to  the  rear  on  the  field  of  battle,  or  privileged  him  to  leave  the  serv 
ice  upon  some  flimsy  pretext  or  false  representation  when  he  no  longer 
cared  to  serve  his  country.  Yet  officers  of  this  kind  could  be  found  in 
every  regiment,  and  the  Twelfth  cannot  be  claimed  as  an  exception. 
Although  the  general  roster  shows  but  one  officer  "dishonorably  dis 
charged,"  a  true  and  impartial  record  would  place  the  negative  prefix- 
before  several  other  "honorably  discharged"  officers  of  the  regiment, 
two  or  three  of  whom  would  now  bear  the  stigma,  as  they  ought  to,  but 
for  the  intercession  of  relatives  and  friends.  And  in  behalf  of  the  rank 
and  file  let  it  be  known  that  the  same  true  and  just  record  would  strike 
off  and  out  forever  any  and  every  dishonorable  word  or  syllable  concern 
ing  many  true  and  brave  soldiers  against  whom  has  been  written  the 
words  "  deserted,"  "  reduced  to  the  ranks,"  etc.  Many  of  these  discredit 
able  markings  were  originally  made  through  mistake,  ignorance  of  the 
facts,  or  official  stupidity,  and  having  since  the  war  been  proved  unjust  and 
erroneous  have  been  stricken  out.  As  illustrative  of  the  last  named  rea 
son  for  such  inexcusable  blunders  may  be  mentioned  the  case  of  Arthur 
C.  Newell,  of  Company  B.  By  some  little  irregularity  in  the  order  or 
return  of  his  transfer  from  the  Twelfth  to  the  Sixth  New  Hampshire,  he 
was  not  properly  accounted  for  on  his  company  book,  and  the  adjutant, 
being  in  some  doubt  how  he  should  be  reported,  asked  instruction 
of  the  assistant  adjutant-general  who  happened  to  be  standing  near 
by.  "Put  him  down  a  deserter,  sir,"  quickly  responded  the  pompous 
assistant  adjutant-general,  without  even  a  single  inquiry  into  the  merits 
of  the  case,  and  thus  through  gross,  if  not  criminal  heedlessness  and 
ignorance  a  good  man  and  soldier  was  written  down  as  a  deserter, 
and  so  stood  disgraced  for  more  than  twenty  years  upon  his  country's 
record,  and  was  only  obliterated,  after  much  trouble  and  expense,  when 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  363 

he,  who  had  patiently  borne  the  great  wrong  for  many  years,  had  gone 
with  his  case  to  that  Higher  Court 

"  Where  every  wrong  is  righted," 

and  his  poor  widow  was  left  alone  to  get  the  records  corrected,  or  go  with 
out  the  pension  that  she  was  justly  entitled  to,  and  which  he,  but  for  this 
excuseless  error,  might  have  enjoyed  the  benefits  of  while  living. 

They  may  sing  of  our  generals  of  great  renown, 

And  compare  them  with  Jackson  and  Lee, 
Of  Sheridan's  ride  "from  Winchester  town," 

And  Sherman's  great  march  to  the  sea, 

But  who  to  each  one  gave  a  deathless  name, 

And  saved  us  a  country  the  while? 
Their  names  are  not  found  on  the  scroll  of  fame, 

For  they  marched  in  the  rank  or  file. 

And  though  few  and  faint  are  the  words  of  praise 

For  them  in  song  or  in  story, 
Yet  their  bones  lay  thick  in  those  life-giving  days, 

And  paved  Grant's  way  to  glory. 

Then  blessings  untold  of  a  grateful  world 

Be  their  monumental  pile  ; 
And  wherever  our  flag  of  hope  is  unfurled 

There's  honor  to  the  rank  and  file. 


364  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


HEROISM  AND  TERRORISM. 

When  the  mind  desponds  the  body  correspondingly  suffers,  and,  unless 
the  cause  be  removed,  will  soon  sicken  and  die  :  while  if  the  soul  is 
cheerfully  resolute  and  brave,  the  physical  energies  are  strengthened  and 
sustained  to  combat  and  overcome  both  danger  and  disease,  and  some 
times  almost  defy  death  itself.  Marked  illustrations  of  this  fact  —  the 
power  of  mind  over  matter  —  often  occurred  in  the  army,  no  regiment  of 
any  considerable  service  being  without  well  authenticated  instances. 

The  sad  record  of  death  at  Falmouth  during  the  winter  of  iS6i-'62,  as 
mentioned  in  the  first  part  of  this  history,*  may  be  referred  to  in  this 
connection,  where,  the  cause  continuing,  the  results  to  so  many  were 
fatal,  for  medicine  had  no  virtue  to  strengthen  the  pulsations  of  a 
desponding  heart.  "Camp  fever"  they  called  it,  for  want  of  a  better 
name  that  would  not  proclaim  the  fact  that  nothing  ailed  many  of  them 
but  homesickness. 

But  sometimes  the  mind-brooding  gloom  of  anticipated  death  was 
broken  by  unexpected  rays  of  hopeful  light  before  the  sombre  shades 
deepened  into  the  endless  night  of  the  tomb  ;  and  then  how  quickly  a 
marvelous  change  for  the  better,  and  how  soon  as  well  as  ever,  let  the 
following  truthful  incident  relate  : 

A  Vermont  chaplain  had  caught  the  camp  fever,  and  concluded  he  must 
die.  Doctor  Fowler,  whose  reputation  as  a  skillful  manager  of  this 
disease  had  reached  the  chaplain's  friends,  was  sent  for  to  see  if  the  sick 
man,  who  was  daily  growing  worse  in  spite  of  his  regimental  surgeons, 
could  not  be  saved.  Doctor  Fowler  knew  the  disease  of  his  patient 
before  visiting  him,  and  was  well  assured,  from  what  he  had  learned  of 
the  case,  that  it  required  heroic  treatment.  The  chaplain  received  him 
with  an  expression  of  impatience  that  his  friends  should  think  it  any 
further  use  to  fight  against  the  decrees  of  fate,  for  his  time,  as  he  said, 
had  come  to  die,  and  no  mortal  power  could  save  him. 

The  doctor  listened  patiently  awhile,  looking  his  patient  sternly  in  the 
face,  and  then  he  opened  his  tongue  battery  upon  him  with  such  telling 
effect,  calling  him  anything  but  a  man  worthy  of  either  medicine  or 
mercy,  that  soon  the  reverend  warrior,  who  was  first  made  to  feel 
ashamed  of  himself,  began  to  get  mad,  which  was  just  what  the  professor 
of  physic  was  aiming  at.  And  so  he  kept  firing  away,  sending  shot 
after  shot  of  ridicule,  sarcasm,  and  abuse  at  his  patient,  until  the  latter 
could  not  stand  it  any  longer,  and,  with  a  face  red  with  anger,  ordered 
the  doctor  to  leave  his  quarters. 

After  the  chaplain  was  left  alone  and  his  passion  had  subsided  a  little, 
he  began  to  reflect  that  he  had  been  listening  to  a  good  deal  of 
truth,  if  it  was  told  him  with  little  regard  to  politeness;  and,  after 

*  See  page  57,  et  seq. 


Neu>  Hampshire   Volunteers.  365 

seriously  considering  the  matter  awhile,  he  resolved  to  take  the  doctor's 
advice  to  get  up  and  show  that  he  had  some  spunk  and  courage,  instead 
of  being  frightened  to  death  at  nothing  but  his  own  imaginations. 

The  doctor  had  a  good  deal  of  faith  in  his  prescription,  and  was 
therefore  more  pleased  than  surprised  to  have  the  chaplain  ride  up  to 
him,  a  few  days  afterward,  and  express  great  obligations  for  receiving 
from  him  sharp  words  instead  of  bitter  pills,  for  they  had  been  the  means 
of  saving  his  life. 

Now  mark  the  contrast  between  the  last  and  the  following  : 

"Then  you  want  me  to  tell  you  just  what  I  think  of  your  chances  to 
get  well,  do  you?"  said  the  rebel  surgeon  to  Lieutenant  Durgin,  as  he 
lay  surrounded  by  many  other  wounded  soldiers  of  the  Union  army  after 
the  battle  of  Chancellorsville. 

"Yes,  doctor,  I  do,  for  I  want  to  know  the  worst ;  and  I  hope  that  I  am 
as  well  prepared  to  meet  the  great  enemy  of  the  human  race  as  I  was  the 
enemies  of  my  country." 

"  Well,  lieutenant,  I  am  sorry  to  tell  you  that  I  do  not  think  that  you 
have  more  than  one  chance  in  a  hundred." 

"  Trusting  that  He  who  multiplied  the  loaves  and  fishes  will  increase 
my  chances,  I  shall  try  hard  to  believe  you  are  mistaken,  doctor." 

And  for  many  years  he  lived  to  joke  about  how  little  the  rebel  surgeons 
knew  about  the  mysterious  ways  of  Providence. 


"  Bury  him  in  the  orchard  there  as  soon  as  he  dies,  and  then  hurry  up 
and  join  the  regiment." 

These  were  the  words  that  Corporal  Farrar  heard  spoken  to  the  com 
rade  who  had  been  left  with  him  as  he  lay  in  a  rebel's  house  prostrate 
from  a  terrible  wound  just  received  in  one  of  the  fights  to  cut  off  Lee's 
retreat  after  evacuating  Richmond.  But  the  brave-hearted  corporal  liked 
neither  the  time  nor  place  of  his  burial,  and  concluded  in  his  own  mind 
that  the  ceremony  should  be  postponed,  notwithstanding  the  surgeon  had 
said  that  he  could  not  live  two  hours.  After  three  days  of  patient  wait 
ing,  his  attending  comrade,  encouraged  by  the  apparently  improving  con 
dition  of  his  charge,  started  out  early  in  the  morning  to  find  an  ambulance 
if  he  could,  to  convey  the  corporal  to  some  place  where  he  could  be  prop 
erly  cared  for.  It  was  late  in  the  evening  when  he  returned  with  the 
object  of  his  search.  With  what  joy  he  was  received  by  the  suffering 
soldier  the  reader  may  try,  but  in  vain,  to  imagine. 

"That,"  said  Corporal  Farrar,  "was  the  longest  day  of  my  life. 
With  the  uncertainty  when  or  where  any  of  our  forces  might  then  be 
found,  even  if  my  comrade  was  fortunate  enough  to  escape  capture  him 
self  ;  with  the  weak  and  helpless  condition  that  I  was  in,  still  trembling 
between  life  and  death,  and  so  near  the  latter  that  an  hour's  delay  might 


366  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

make  his  return,  if  he  came  at  all,  too  late;  and  the  old  rebel  in  whose 
house  I  was  left,  looking  and  acting  as  if  he  would  like,  from  hatred 
instead  of  pity,  to  put  me  out  of  my  misery,  each  hour  came  so  heavily 
laden  with  such  severe  suffering  and  discouraging  apprehensions  that 
it  seemed  as  if  it  would  never  pass." 

A  few  days  later  and  the  corporal  found  himself  in  the  "  death  ward" 
of  a  general  hospital,  from  which  he  was  the  only  patient,  save  one,  who 
lived  to  come  out  alive,  although  supposed  to  be  one  of  the  first  to  die 
when  he  went  in.  Two  or  three  months  later  he  went  home  on  a  furlough. 

Nearly  thirty  years  of  grave-filling  have  passed  since  he  was  left  to  be 
buried  far  away  on  the  banks  of  the  Appomattox,  but  he  still  lives,  as 
hopeful,  if  not  as  active,  as  ever,  and  can  tip  the  scales  any  day  at  two 
hundred  and  sixty-five  pounds  !  * 


"  If  you  have  any  business  to  do  or  word  to  send  home,  you  had  better 
attend  to  it  at  once,  captain,  as  I  fear  you  cannot  live  but  a  short  time." 

The  plucky  commander  of  Company  E,  with  bullets  enough  in  his 
body  to  kill  any  common  man,  looked  up  quizzically  into  the  surgeon's 
face  for  half  a  moment,  as  if  to  see  that  he  was  not  joking,  and  then  replied  : 
"You  go  to  h  —  1,  doctor,  if  you  want  to,  but  don't  think  you  are  going 
to  take  me  along  with  you  just  yet,  for  I  don't  propose  to  start  until  some 
time  after  this  war  is  over." 

He  has  not  started  yet,  and  before  he  does  it  is  hoped  that  he  will  con 
clude  to  go  in  the  opposite  direction. - 


These  are  but  a  few  of  the  many  instances  of  heroic  fortitude  and 
indomitable  courage  exhibited  by  the  brave-hearted  soldiers  of  the  Twelfth 
when  in  more  hopeless  places  than  on  the  field  of  battle  ;  and  let  it  not  be 
forgotten  that  of  such  are  they  —  some  of  them  but  mere  boys  —  who  did 
so  much  to  immortalize  the  record  of  the  regiment.  But  not  of  this 
keen-tempered  mettle  are  all  mankind  possessed.  Some,  as  already 
shown  by  the  chaplain's  case,  are  born  for  paths  of  peace  and  have  no 
business  in  the  ranks  of  war ;  and  it  would  be  ridiculously  false  to  say 
that  the  Twelfth  had  none  of  this  latter  class  on  its  rolls.  Though  able 
in  muscle  they  were  weak  in  the  nerve  to  face  the  cannon's  mouth  ;  and 
if  by  chance  were  confronted  with  imminent  danger  would  become  as 
helpless  oftentimes  as  a  child.  Their  will  was  good,  and  some  of  them, 
who  were  honest-hearted  and  proud-spirited,  would  have  given  many 
times  their  pay  for  the  physical  courage  to  do  and  dare  like  their  brother 
comrades.  Such  ones  were,  of  course,  more  to  be  pitied  than  blamed  ; 
and  when  recognized  as  undoubtedly  belonging  to  this  Quaker  order,  were 
usually  treated  leniently  by  their  officers  and  comrades,  though  not  always 
with  that  respect,  perhaps,  which  they  really  deserved. 

*  Deceased  since  the  above  was  written. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  367 

Beside  the  two  classes  above  mentioned,  there  is  another  always  to  be 
found  in  the  ranks  of  a  new  regiment,  of  which  the  Twelfth  had  its  full 
share.  The  men  —  if  they  can  properly  be  called  such  —  that  belonged 
to  this  class  were  those  who  never  possessed  the  true  elements  of  honor 
able  manhood,  and  whose  base  and  selfish  natures  were  not  changed  by 
taking  a  solemn  oath,  when  they  enlisted,  to  be  true  to  the  cause  of  their 
country.  They  could  perform  their  part  but  would  not ;  had  both  the 
courage  and  the  strength,  but  neither  the  desire  nor  disposition;  and  out 
of  which  came  nearly  all  the  "  bummers,"  "  coffee-coolers,"  and  deserters 
that  disgraced  the  service. 

To  play  sick  was  one  of  their  favorite  games  and  rheumatism  was 
usually  their  most  successful  hand.  Though  regular  attendants  at  sur 
geon's  call  they  were  always  ready  to  "  fall  in  for  rations"  or  to  eat  their 
full  allowance  when  carried  to  them. 

On  the  march,  if  obliged  to  go,  they  were  sure  to  be  the  first  catch  of 
the  rear  guard  and  no  matter  how  persistently  urged  along  or  closely 
watched,  when  the  battle-line  was  formed  they  were  not  there.  Some 
times,  when  unable  to  dodge  the  rear  guard  or  to  get  a  surgeon's  pass  to 
the  rear  by  pretending  to  be  sick,  they  would  wound  or  disable  themselves 
with  the  double  object  of  keeping  out  of  an  impending  battle,  and  getting 
into  the  hospital  or  their  final  discharge.  This  was  usually  done  by 
shooting  or  cutting  off  a  thumb,  finger,  or  toe,  or  sending  a  bullet  through 
their  hand  or  foot,  instances  of  this  kind  being  within  the  memory  of 
every  old  veteran. 

Imperative  justice  demands  that  to  the  undying  honor  and  glory  of  the 
brave  and  noble  heroes  who  never  flinched  from  duty,  but  followed  the 
flag  of  their  country  through  privation,  hardship,  and  danger  until  dis 
abled  by  sickness  or  wounds,  relieved  by  death,  or  discharged  because 
their  services  were  no  longer  needed,  the  readers  of  to-day  should  know, 
and  future  generations  have  the  chance  to  learn,  that  their  duties  were 
harder,  their  burdens  heavier,  and  their  sufferings  greater  because  of 
being  obliged  to  perform  that  part  of  the  work  which  belonged  to,  but 
was  shirked  by,  their  unworthy  and  recreant  associates. 


368  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


THE  LIGHT  OF  EXPERIENCE. 

* 

It  was  a  common  expression  among  the  rebel  soldiers  who  came  into 
our  lines  voluntarily,  as  thousands  of  them  did  during  the  last  year  of  the 
conflict,  that  it  was  "  the  rich  man's  war,  and  the  poor  man's  fight."  The 
blinding  scales  of  ignorance,  without  which  the  great  American  Rebellion 
would  never  have  been,  were  melted  from  their  eyes  by  the  lire  of  battle, 
and  they  were  permitted  at  last  to  see,  as  did  Saul  of  Tarsus,  that  they  had 
been  fighting  without  light  against  the  right,  and  at  once  grounded 
their  arms  of  rebellion.  And  here  it  may  be  stated  as  a  fact,  though  many 
may  question  or  contradict  it,  that  but  for  this  new  light  and  its  influence 
and  effect  upon  the  rank  and  file  of  the  Confederate  army  it  would  prob 
ably  have  taken  as  many  years  of  war  to  have  preserved  this  Government, 
as  it  did  to  establish  it,  if  indeed  it  could  have  been  sustained  at  all.  For 
as  true  as  one  of  the  ablest  defenders  of  the  "  lost  cause"  fell  on  the  field 
of  battle  by  the  bullets  of  his  own  men,  so  true  it  is  that  the  cause  would 
have  been  much  longer  sustained,  if  ever  lost,  but  for  the  fatal  wounds  it 
received  in  the  house  of  its  friends. 

The  vile  serpent  of  treason  saw  the  tree  of  knowledge  in  the  middle  of 
the  garden  of  national  peace  and  prosperity,  and  stung  itself  to  death. 
All  potent  truth,  operating  on  the  mental  rank  and  file  of  Lee's  army,  did 
more  to  disintegrate  and  destroy  it,  during  the  last  few  months  of  the  war, 
than  all  the  generalship  of  his  great  and  successful  antagonist. 

"Do  you  think  you  could  be  induced  to  take  up  arms  against  the  Gov 
ernment  again  to  perpetuate  that  institution?"  asked  the  writer  of  an 
ex-Confederate  soldier  in  Tennessee  who  had  just  expressed  his  gladness 
that  the  great  evil  of  human  slavery  no  longer  degraded  the  South  or 
divided  the  nation.  "Yes,  sir,  -with  the  same  light"  replied  he,  with 
particular  emphasis  on  the  last  four  words.  And  in  this  short  adjunctive 
clause  of  four  simple  monosyllables  is  embodied  a  whole  volume  of  the 
blood-stained  pages  of  our  country's  history  that  posterity  may  well  read 
and  reflect  upon  ;  for  it  may  there  learn  the  true  secret  of  the  rise  and  fall 
of  the  greatest  and  most  causeless  rebellion  "that  ever  existed  since  Luci 
fer  led  his  cohort  of  apostate  angels  against  the  throne  of  Omnipotence." 

Slowly  but  surely  as  the  precession  of  the  equinoxes,  the  world  is 
moving,  not  backward,  but  forward  and  upward  toward  a  higher  plane  of 
intellectual  and  moral  existence  ;  and  the  time  must  soon  come  when  artil 
lery  duels  between  nations,  like  the  practice  of  the  false  code  of  honor 
among  individual  citizens,  will  be  known  and  found  only  in  the  history  of 
the  barbarous  relics  of  the  past.  Already  two  of  the  greatest  and  most 
enlightened  nations  of  the  world,  of  which  we  are  proud  to  know  that  our 
own  is  one,  have  bravely  set  the  example  of  international  arbitration. 


JVew  Hamps/u'rc   Volunteers,  369 

Save  with  a  few  half  savage  tribes  of  the  "dark  continent"  the  j'psc 
dixit  of  kings  is  no  longer  a  law  that  can  be  disobeyed  only  upon  the 
penalty  of  death.  No  ruler  of  the  nineteenth  century  could  or  can  say, 
as  did  Frederick  the  Great,  "  I  am  the  state."  And  the  only  one  who 
has,  for  the  last  hundred  years,  fought  to  make  his  will  supreme,  met  his 
fate  at  Waterloo,  and  yielded  up  the  sceptre  of  his  power,  not  to  England 
or  the  allied  powers,  but  to  the  "  rising  genius  of  universal  emancipation." 


"OLD  TOM." 

The  following  touching  tribute  to  the  memory  of  Major  Savage's  old 
war  horse,  that  lived  over  twenty  years  after  the  war,  was  written  by  the 
major's  son-in-law,  John  W.  Currier,  Esq. 

Old  Tom  is  dead  ! 

As  this  is  read, 

What  reminiscences  of  field  and  camp, 
Of  sickness,  hunger,  long  and  weary  tramp ; 
Of  dreadful  strife,  of  ghastly  wounds  and  death, 
Of  prison  pens  with  foul  and  stifling  breath  ; 
Of  home  and  friends  and  peace  of  twenty  years, 
Rush  through  the  soldier's  mind  and  bring  the  tears. 

Though  but  a  horse,  how  well  his  part  he  bore 

'Midst  shot  and  shell 

And  rebel  yell ; 

'Midst  cannon's  roar 

And  scenes  of  gore 
Unflinchingly  he  went  !  and  who  did  more? 

Old  Tom  is  dead  ! 

How  oft  't  was  said, 

"  Here  come  the  Major  and  Old  Tom"; 
How  cheers  arose  as  they  passed  on ; 
How  proud  he  was,  with  step  so  high, 
With  head  erect  and  flashing  eye  ! 
He  seemed  to  know  he  was  himself 
A  member  of  the  brave  old  Twelfth. 

Old  Tom  is  dead  ! 

And  thus  't  was  said 
Of  Major  when,  two  years  ago, 
Amidst  the  winter's  blinding  snow. 
He  passed  the  picket-line  of  life. 
Both  now  lie  low  beyond  all  strife, 
Both  steed  and  rider  gone ;  they  rest, 
Their  honor  bright,  their  memory  blest. 


37°  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


A  Box  FROM  HOME. 

This  history  would  be  incomplete  without  a  few  words  written  about 
the  boxes  that  used  to  be  received  by  the  "boys"  from  the  loved  and 
loving  ones  at  home.  Thousands  of  these  were  sent  from  every  state, 
especially  when  the  different  regiments  were  stationed  where  they  would 
be  likely  to  get  them  before  moving  ;  and  hundreds  were  received  by 
members  of  the  Twelfth  while  at  Falmouth  and  Point  Lookout.  A  letter 
would  first  give  notice  that  one  had  been  started,  and  then  how  impa 
tiently  its  arrival  was  awaited.  And  when,  at  last — for  frequently  weeks 
and  sometimes  months  would  pass  before  they  would  get  transportation 
through  —  the  box  would  reach  camp,  how  the  heart  would  beat  quicker 
and  the  countenance  brighten,  as  the  happy  recipient  with  quick  feet  and 
hands  would  carry  it  to  his  quarters,  and  pry,  pull,  and  twist  at  the 
double-nailed,  iron-banded  cover  until  his  eager  eyes  could  see  and  his 
hungry  tongue  taste,  the  good  things  that  lie  so  closely  packed  beneath. 

And  it  was  surprising  how  much  a  loving  mother,  wife,  or  sisters  would 
manage  to  pack  into  a  little  space  of  less  than  half  the  size  of  an  ordinary 
shoe-box.  Here,  so  far  as  it  goes,  is  a  fair  sample  schedule  :  A  loaf 
each  of  brown  and  white  bread  ;  a  lot  of  gingerbread,  cookies,  and  dough 
nuts  ;  two  or  three  meat  pies  ;  a  large  sweet  cake  ;  four  or  five  pounds  of 
cheese ;  a  large  can  of  boiled  cider  apple  sauce,  a  small  jar  of  pickles, 
and  another  of  sauce  or  preserves;  pears,  peaches,  and  grapes,  if  in 
season,  and  some  apples  from  his  favorite  tree  ;  some  hickory  or  chestnuts, 
and  a  jack-knife  "  from  brother  John  ";  some  maple  sugar  or  store  can 
dies,  and  a  comb,  or  mending  case  "from  sister  Jane  ";  with  many  other 
things  more  useful  than  eatable  that  had  been  sent  for  perhaps  by  the 
receiver,  or  thought  of  by  the  sender  of  the  box  as  necessary  to  the  sol 
dier's  comfort  and  health. 

Now,  reader,  is  it  strange  that  a  box  like  this  was  considered  a  treas 
ure,  and  especially  when  you  considered  it  came  from  home?  And  is  it 
any  wonder  that  when  they  came  by  the  wagon  load,  as  they  sometimes 
did,  that  there  was  a  regular  gala-day  in  the  camp  of  the  Twelfth?  But 
this,  like  everything  else  in  this  life  (how  can  we  otherwise  than  hope 
it  different  in  the  next),  had  its  shaded  and  sometimes  sorrowful  side. 
It  was  bad  enough  after  so  much  care  and  cost  of  preparing  and  sending, 
to  have  part  of  the  contents  spoiled  from  being  needlessly  long  on  the 
way;  or  the  whole  lost  or  stolen  and  never  received  at  all.  But  think, 
O  reader,  and  let  tears  follow  the  thought,  of  the  feelings  of  that  mother 
or  that  wife,  to  say  nothing  of  father,  brothers,  and  sisters,  who,  while 
she  anxiously  waited  to  hear  from  the  box  by  a  letter  from  the  cherished 
one  to  whom  she  had  sent  it,  received  instead  a  letter  from  his  captain  or 
tent-mate,  stating  that  he  died  or  was  killed  a  short  time  before  or  perhaps 
on  the  very  day  that  his  box  from  home  arrived  in  camp. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  371 


DRUM  CORPS. 

An  essential  part  of  every  regimental  organization  is  the  drum  corps. 
Its  purpose  is  not  to  drown  the  groans  of  the  wounded  and  dying,  as  the 
boys  used  to  be  told  in  ante-bellum  times,  for  drums  and  fifes  seldom  get 
so  far  to  the  front  when  the  battle  rages,  but  to  cheer  up  the  soldiers  in 
camp  as  well  as  on  the  march,  beat  the  different  calls,  and  carry  the 
wounded  from  the  field  of  death  when  the  battle  is  over. 

It  must  not  be  supposed,  however,  that  the  musicians  during  a  battle, 
where  they  act  as  stretcher-bearers,  are  always  back  beyond  reach  of  the 
enemy's  shot,  for  this  would  often  be  further  to  the  rear  than  the  amputation 
tables  and  field  hospitals  to  which  the  wounded  are  carried.  And  some 
times  the  stretcher-bearers  are  required  to  expose  themselves  for  a  short 
time  nearly  or  quite  as  much  as  if  they  were  in  the  line  of  battle  ; 

"  And  some  there  are  who  can  truthfully  tell 
Of  hair-breadth  escapes  from  the  enemy's  shell," 

Who  carried  a  stretcher  instead  of  a  musket  during  the  war.  The  soldier 
of  the  line,  though  he  stands  in  the  midst,  and  takes  an  active  part  in  the 
work  of  destruction,  strange  as  it  may  at  first  seem,  knows  little  of  the 
real  sufferings  and  horrors  of  the  inhuman  carnage  that  surrounds  him. 
He  hears,  perhaps,  the  death  shriek  of  a  comrade,  as  he  falls  by  his  side, 
and  sees  the  blood  oozing  from  the  mortal  wound  ;  he  heeds  it  not  in  the 
excitement  of  the  hour  for  he  is  too  intent  in  the  work  of  killing  the 
enemy  to  think  of  his  comrades,  or  even  of  the  danger  of  being  killed 
himself. 

But  how  changed  and  different  with  him  whose  duty  it  is  to  visit  the 
fresh  field  of  carnage  where  the  pitiful  cries  of  the  wounded  mingle  with 
the  groans  of  the  dying,  and  where  every  tender  and  humane  feeling  of 
the  soul  is  shocked  with  heart-sickening  scenes  of  blood.  This  perhaps 
may  be  best  illustrated  by  the  following  incident : 

George  Aiken,  the  good-hearted  and  able-minded  fifer  of  Company  B, 
had  often  discussed  with  one  of  his  comrades  the  question  of  justifying 
the  shedding  of  blood  upon  Christian  principles,  he  contending  for  the 
affirmative,  when  the  cause,  like  our  own,  was  right  and  just.  But  soon 
the  terrible  carnage  of  Chancellorsville  opened  his  eyes  to  a  new  revela 
tion  or,  rather,  his  mind  to  a  correct  understanding  of  the  old  ;  and  about 
his  first  salutation  after  returning  from  that  sanguinary  field  was  :  "  Well, 
B ,  I  have  become  a  convert  to  your  doctrine.  My  eyes  have  con 
vinced  me  of  what  your  tongue  could  n't,  and  I  fully  agree  with  you  now 
that  God  never  instituted  any  such  way  as  this  to  settle  disputes,  whether 
just  or  unjust." 


37 2  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

But  the  musicians  had  something  to  do  in  the  camp  as  well  as  on  the 
field.  From  the  reveille  of  early  morn  to  the  bed-time  taps  the  service 
of  the  drum  and  life  was  regularly  in  demand.  After  the  reveille 
came  the  more  welcome  breakfast  call,  next  the  surgeon's  call,  then  the 
orderly's  and  drill  call,  and  the  double-drag  beat  for  dinner.  In  the  after 
noon  came  the  assembly  for  battalion  or  brigade  drill,  the  recall,  the 
playing  of  the  whole  corps  at  dress  parade,  the  retreat  at  sundown,  next 
the  tattoo,  and  lastly  taps.*  They  were  also  required  in  many  regiments 
to  act  as  camp  orderlies, —  their  tents  being  pitched  near  by  the  colonel's 
quarters,  within  easy  call  when  wanted, —  one  being  usually  in  waiting 
at  the  colonel's  tent  all  the  time  for  this  purpose ;  having,  therefore,  to 
take  their  turn  on  duty,  and  while  the  other  men  did  the  watching  they 
had  to  do  the  running.  But  there  is  this  important  difference,  however, 
between  the  drum  and  the  gun  in  military  service  :  The  former  ends  its 
beat  at  9  o'clock  and  turns  in  for  a  night's  rest,  while  the  latter  has  to 
renew  its  "  beat  "  and  turn  out  every  four  hours  when  on  guard  no  mat 
ter  what  time  of  night  or  what  kind  of  weather.  It  will  be  seen,  therefore, 
that  the  hardships,  dangers,  and  responsibilities  of  the  gun  are  greater 
than  the  drum,  and  that  the  former  has  a  claim  to  higher  honors. 

With  this  much  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  may  read  this  history  when 
the  rules  and  usages  of  war  will,  it  is  hoped,  be  less  familiar  to  the  people 
of  this  country  than  even  at  the  present  time,  a  brief  account  will  now  be 
given  of  the  drum  corps  of  the  Twelfth. f 

When  the  twenty  knights  of  the  drum  and  fife  —  two  from  each  com 
pany —  first  came  together  at  "Camp  Belknap  "  in  Concord,  they  were 
quite  as  verdant  in  the  practice  of  music  as  in  the  science  of  war.  With 
one  or  two  exceptions  they  had  enlisted  as  musicians,  not  so  much  because 
they  were,  as  because  they  wanted  to  be  such  ;  thinking,  perhaps,  if 
allowed  to  make  their  own  music,  they  would  not  be  obliged  to  face  the 
music  of  the  enemy.  It  is  doubtful  if  there  were  half  of  the  drummers 
that  knew  a  "jlam"\  from  a  "  fcrrididdle,"  \  or  two-four  time  from  six- 
eight  ;  and  the  fifers  were  but  little  better,  although  two  or  three  of  them 
could  play  quite  well.  But  think  not  there  was  any  lack  of  native  talent 
or  ambition  in  this  crude  score  of  ear-distractors,  for  the  development  of 
both  was  soon  apparent,  though  not  so  much  in  the  greater  harmony  and 
sweeter  melody  of  the  players  as  in  the  consummate  strategy  and  shrewd 
tactics  used  by  some  of  them  to  see  who  should  have  the  undying  honor 
of  being  leader,  and  be  promoted  to  the  high  rank  of  drum  major!  Had 
the  Darwinian  process  of  natural  instead  of  self-selected  fitness  been 
allowed  to  decide  a  contest  so  vital  to  the  weal  or  woe  of  the  regiment, 
all  would  have  been  well ;  but  Fate,  through  Colonel  Potter  as  a  humble 
instrument,  after  a  long  and  fierce  struggle,  reaching  from  Concord  to 
Arlington  Heights,  otherwise  directed,  and  the  doom  of  one  man  at  least 
was  fixed.  This  poor  fellow's  name  was  Skinner,  of  Company  I,  and  not 
being  willing  to  skin  other  folks'  skunks  he  concluded  to  "  skin  out" :  In 

*  See  next  page.  t  See  anecdote.  t  Names  of  primary  strokes  by  the  old  teachers. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  373 

other  words,  not  getting  his  deserts,  as  he  thought,  he  deserted!  He  was 
a  natural  musician,  a  good  drummer,  and  splendid  fifer,  and  should  have 
been  appointed  to  lead  the  corps. 

His  successful  competitor,  from  the  same  company,  now  took  command  ; 
and  under  the  potent  sway  of  his  "  toad-sticker"  (a  name  derisively  given 
to  a  kind  of  sword  designed  for  non-commissioned  officers,  but  soon  dis 
carded  as  useless)  the  drum  corps  became  an  organized  reality.  But  the 
elements  of  discord  existed,  and  there  was  more  harmony  in  their  music, 
even,  than  among  the  players  until  the  "boss"  concluded  to  resign  his 
position  and  seek  what  he  soon  obtained,  a  discharge  from  the  service. 
After  this,  peace  and  brotherly  love  prevailed,  and  they  were  allowed  to 
select  their  own  leader,  which  they  did,  taking  turns  by  common  consent 
until  January  i,  1864,  when  James  S.  Baker,  of  Company  E,  was.  regularly 
appointed  "principal  musician."  The  next  and  only  other  one  to  hold 
that  position,  according  to  the  records,  was  Ira  C.  Evans,  of  Company  C, 
who  was  appointed  just  four  months  later.  When,  in  April,  1863,  the 
regiment  sent  to  Washington  to  get  a  saddle  and  bridle  to  give  the 
Colonel,  they  also  bought  a  base  drum  for  the  musicians,  and  Ira  M. 
Rollins  was  selected  by  them  to  beat  it,  which  he  did  until  the  end  of 
the  war.  Though  once  stolen  it  was  recovered,  and  still  may  be  heard, 
sounding  as  loud  as  ever  under  the  vigorous  and  well-timed  blows  of  its 
veteran  master,  at  the  regimental  reunions. 

In  addition  to  the  regular  camp  calls  enumerated  on  the  preceding 
page,  there  should  have  been  mentioned  the  adjutant's  and  police  call  for 
the  forenoon,  and  the  drummer's  call  for  almost  any  time  of  day. 

Several  recruits  joined  the  corps  at  Point  Lookout,  of  whom,  William 
O.  Little,  of  Company  D,  died  in  the  service,  and  Thomas  Dalton,  of  the 
same  company,  was  killed  in  front  of  Petersburg.* 

Of  the  original  twenty,  one  was  accidentally  shot  before  leaving  Con 
cord,  one  died  of  small-pox,  one  was  promoted  to  sergeant-major,  and 
one  deserted,  leaving  but  seven,  beside  those  who  were  discharged  for 
disability  during  the  war,  or  from  hospital  at  its  close,  to  come  home  with 
the  regiment,  of  whom  five  are  still  living.  Their  names  are  Jacob 
Hanson,  James  S.  Baker,  Ira  C.  Evans,  George  W.  Pitman,  George  C. 
Currier,  Amos  Damon,  and  Ira  M.  Rollins,  whose  pictures  and  life 
sketches  will  all  appear  in  another  chapter. 

It  is  a  little  remarkable  that  two  of  the  veterans  of  the  fife  and  drum, 
Damon  and  Evans,  went  out  and  came  home  together  as  fifer  and  drum 
mer  of  Company  C,  and  that  both  can  still  make  merry  music  together, 
though  the  former  was  over  seven  and  one  half  years  more  than  twice  as 
old  as  the  latter  —  who  was  born  April  16,  1841 — when  they  enlisted  in 
August,  1862.  f 

And  there  is  one  other  fact  that  just  now  and  for  the  first  time  presents 
itself,  and  this  is  that  both  the  writer  and  the  printer  of  this  history  have 
the  honor  of  once  belonging  to  the  drum  corps  of  the  "Old  Twelfth." 

*Sec  page  222.  t  Query  for  the  grandchildren :  Damon's  age,  April  16, 1895. 


374  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


HISTORY  OF  THE  COLORS. 

The  first  stand  of  colors  were  presented  to  the  regiment  by  the  hands 
of  Adjt.  Gen.  Anthony  Colby,  who  made  an  appropriate  speech,  at  "  Camp 
Belknap,"  in  Concord,  September  26,  1862. 

The  state  or  regimental  colors,  like  the  national,  were  of  regulation 
size,  having  a  field  of  deep  blue  with  an  eagle,  holding  in  its  left  talon  a 
cluster  of  arrows  and  in  its  right  an  olive  branch,  as  symbols  of  war  and 
peace. 

The  first  color  bearers  were  Sergeants  Jonathan  M.  Tasker,  of  Company 
B,  and  Charles  H.  Kelley,  of  Company  F,  the  former  carrying  the  national 
and  the  other  the  state  colors. 

At  or  soon  after  leaving  Arlington  Heights,  the  state  colors,  according 
to  the  recollections  of  Sergeant  Tasker  as  best  authority,  were  taken  by 
Sergt.  William  J.  Howe,  of  Company  E,  who  carried  them  on  the  march 
to  Falmouth,  Va.,  and  through  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg.  A  day  or 
two  after  this  battle  Sergt.  Marquis  D.  L.  McDuffee,  of  Company  K,  was 
selected  to  carry  the  state  flag,  and  he  and  Sergeant  Tasker  carried  the 
regimental  stand  of  colors  afterwards,  until  both  were  pierced  with  bullets 
in  the  midst  of  the  terrible  strife  at  Chancellorsville,  and  so  seriously 
wounded  as  to  be  obliged  to  leave  the  service. 

When  Sergeant  Tasker  was  hit  in  the  leg  he  still  bore  up  his  country's 
flag  by  leaning  against  a  tree  for  support.  Colonel  Potter,  noticing  this, 
asked  the  sergeant  if  he  was  hurt,  and  then  told  him  to  give  the  colors  to 
one  of  the  guard  and  go  to  the  rear.  The  name  of  the  corporal  to  whom 
the  flag  was  then  given  is  not  known,  but  from  the  best  information  attain 
able,  it  is  quite  certain  that  he  was  either  killed  or  so  seriously  wounded 
as  to  die  soon  after.  The  next  and  last  of  the  guard  to  take  the  national 
colors  before  retreating,  was  Corp.  William  H.  Straw,  of  Company  D, 
who  was  found  by  Sergt.  Maj.  A.  W.  Bartlett  when  the  few  left  of  the 
regiment  were  falling  back  to  escape  capture.  When  first  noticed, 
Corporal  Straw  was  lying  at  the  foot  of  a  tree  a  few  rods  back  from  the 
battle-line  with  the  flag-staff  still  firmly  grasped,  as  if  he  would  only 
surrender  them  with  his  life,  while  the  blood  was  fast  flowing  from  a 
wound  on  one  side  of  his  head.  The  sergeant-major,  scarcely  stopping 
to  see  if  the  brave  corporal  was  living  or  dead,  for  it  was  now  a  race  for 
his  own  liberty  or  life,  snatched  the  flag  from  his  hands  and  by  an  urgent 
call  upon  the  little  strength  he  had  left,  succeeded  in  clearing  the  woods 
and  crossing  the  brook  just  in  time  to  escape  capture.  Even  then,  but  for 
good  luck  that  seemed  almost  providential,  the  flag  must  have  fallen  into 
the  enemy's  hands  ;  for  before  he  could  get  over  the  little  sand  hill  beyond 
the  brook  the  rebels  came  pouring  out  of  the  woods  close  behind  him. 


REGIMENTAL    COLORS. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  375 

But  the  foremost,  too  eager  to  secure  what  seemed  so  near  their  grasp, 
discharged  their  pieces  as  they  ran  without  effect ;  and  before  they  could 
reload,  the  "stars  and  stripes"  -not  "full  high  advanced,"  but  fast 
retreating  and  carried  in  any  way  to  least  retard  the  bearer's  flight — had 
nearly  reached  the  crest.  Only  a  rod  or  two  further  and  they  will  be  safe 
for  a  while,  with  a  fair  chance  of  reaching  the  rallying  line  of  the  Union 
forces  at  the  Chancellor  House.  But  how  to  gain  the  few  feet  that  would 
carry  them  below  the  line  of  the  rebels'  aim,  was  the  question  of  an  age 
to  be  answered  in  a  moment,  for  the  hissing  bullets  come  thicker  and 
closer  making  hot  air  streaks  across  the  temples  of  him  who  is  now 
chiefly  intent  upon  saving  himself,  though  he  still  clings  to  the  colors. 
He  expects  at  every  step  to  fall,  and  fall  he  does,  not  forward  upon  his  face 
with  a  ball  through  his  head  or  body  as  expected,  but  backward  with  both 
covered  with  earth  and  half  buried  alive,  as  he  gladly  finds  when,  spitting 
and  scratching  his  mouth  and  eyes  clear  of  dirt  and  gravel,  he  takes  in 
the  new  situation,  and  sees  a  deep  furrow  that  a  friendly  solid  shot  or  shell 
has  ploughed  diagonally  across  his  line  of  retreat.  His  pursuers  have 
seen  him  fall,  dead  as  they  suppose,  but  while  they  rush  up  to  the  foot  of 
the  hill  on  one  side  he  descends  as  rapidly  upon  the  other,  and  soon,  with 
the  flag  of  his  country,  is  safe  behind  the  Federal  batteries  that  have  been 
aligned  to  check  the  rebel  advance.  He  has  always  remembered  that 
cannon  shot  as  a  "  friendly"  one,  because  he  thinks  it  saved  his  life,  as 
the  bullets  were  then  flying  so  thickly  and  closely  around  him  that  it 
seemed  impossible  to  escape. 

The  state  colors  had  left  the  field  some  time  before,  carried  therefrom 
by  their  brave  and  resolute  bearer,  Sergeant  McDuffee,  who,  though 
severely  wounded,  kept  his  promise  to  the  colonel  to  bring  them  safely 
from  the  field  if  life  and  strength  enough  were  left  him  to  carry  them.  He 
refused  to  yield  them  to  other  hands  until  he  reached  the  river  and  found 
the  remnant  of  the  regiment,  that  had  been  ordered  back  there  for  rest 
and  reorganization.  In  this  battle  both  colors  were  many  times  perforated 
with  bullets. 

Luther  H.  Parker,  of  Company  D,  and  Charles  W.  Hoyt,  of  Company 
G,  were  next  detailed  for  color  bearers,  the  latter  carrying  his  but  a  short 
time  before  Sergeant  Howe,  recovering  from  his  sickness,  took  the  state 
colors  again,  and  he  and  Parker  carried  the  colors  on  the  march  to  the  field 
and  into  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  where  both  were  shot  down,  Howe  being 
instantly  killed,  and  Parker  receiving  a  mortal  wound.  As  most  of  the 
color  guard  were  either  killed  or  wounded  about  the  same  time,  it  is  not 
certainly  known  who  took  the  colors  when  Parker  was  wounded,  but  there 
is  but  little  reason  to  doubt  that  they  were  grasped  by  Corp.  Samuel  Brown, 
of  Company  C,  who  was  one  of  the  guard,  just  as  he  himself  fell  into  the 
embrace  of  death.  But  even  now  the  proud  emblem  of  our  national  sov 
ereignty  so  far  from  being  allowed  to  trail  in  the  dust,  scarcely,  if  at  all, 
touched  the  ground  ;  for,  until  rescued  from  capture,  it  served  as  a  cover 
ing  sheet  of  that  brave  guard  who  fell  and  lay  beneath  its  folds. 


376  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

To  whom  next  belongs  the  honor  of  saving  the  regimental  colors  has 
been  a  subject  of  long  and  careful  inquiry  by  the  author  of  this  history 
that  full  justice  might  be  done  to  all  concerned.  He  had  supposed,  at  the 
commencement  of  his  work,  and  it  was  very  generally  understood  and 
believed  by  the  regimental  survivors  that  Adjt.  Andrew  M.  Heath  took 
both  the  national  and  state  colors  up  from  where  they  fell  and  carried 
them  back  to  where  the  brigade  halted  and  again  faced  the  foe  ;  and  such 
had  become  history  so  far  as  shown  in  the  brief  sketches  of  the  regiment 
printed  in  the  old  adjutant-general's  reports  of  the  war.  But  the  weight 
of  the  evidence  that  patient  and  thorough  investigation  has  discovered  to 
counterbalance  this  published  statement  is  so  preponderating  as  to  demand 
its  correction. 

It  now  appears  that  Lieut.  Charles  S.  Emery,  then  sergeant  of  Com 
pany  F,  and  Corp.  John  R.  Davis,  of  the  same  company,  deserve  great 
credit  for  the  part  they  took  in  saving  the  flags  in  that  battle.  It  was  they 
who  first  came  to  the  rescue  and  saved  them  from  the  hands  of  the  enemy 
by  snatching  them  from  the  dead,  while  the  danger  of  death  was  pressing 
heavily  upon  themselves,  and  carrying  them  until  they  caught  up  with 
the  regiment,  just  as  it  halted  to  re-form  its  line  for  another  advance,  when 
they  gave  them  to  Adjutant  Heath. 

When  Sergeant  Howe  fell  he  made  a  death  grasp  for  his  flag,  as  if  his 
last  thought  was  for  its  preservation,  and  so  firmly  were  his  fingers 
closed  upon  the  fabric  that  when  Corporal  Davis  snatched  them  away, 
while  Emery  grabbed  the  national  colors,  he  tore  out  of  the  flag  and  left 
in  the  sergeant's  death-clinched  hand  a  piece  about  one  foot  wide  and  fif 
teen  inches  long. 

Lieut.  A.  W.  Bacheler,  then  a  private  of  Company  E,  being  detained 
on  the  retreat  to  look  after  a  wounded  comrade,  was  one  of  the  last  to 
leave  the  ground  ;  and  while  doing  so  noticed  the  piece  of  flag  which  he 
attempted  to  snatch  away  as  he  hurried  to  catch  up  with  the  regiment. 
Seeing  at  a  glance  the  cause  of  his  failure,  and  not  being  willing  that  so 
much  as  a  shred  of  either  flag  of  his  regiment  should  fall  into  the  enemy's 
hands,  he  stopped  long  enough,  though  under  a  most  destructive  fire,  to 
unclinch  the  dead  sergeant's  fingers,  one  by  one,  and  thus  save  the  pre 
cious  fragment  which  he  kept  and  still  has  in  his  possession.  When  the 
regiment  halted  and  re-formed,  Adjutant  Heath  called  for  volunteers  to 
carry  the  colors,  and  Corp.  Edward  L.  Shepard  and  Private  George  E. 
Worthen,  both  of  Company  E,  stepped  out  from  the  ranks  and  took  them. 
For  this  gallant  act  both  were  promoted  on  the  field,  and  the  dates  of  their 
appointments  as  sergeant  and  corporal  should  have  been  July  2  instead  of 
July  5  as  appears  in  the  records.  Worthen,  ambitious  for  promotion,  was 
the  first  to  step  forward,  and  selected  the  "stars  and  stripes"  as  his  stand 
ard,  which  the  adjutant,  seeing  that  he  was  but  a  small  and  young  private, 
hesitated  at  first  to  give  up  to  him.  But,  feeling  assured  that  such  brave 
resolution  to  take  could  not  lack  of  heroic  determination  to  carry  and 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  377 

defend  so  long  as  there  was  muscular  strength  enough  left  to  do  so,  he 
yielded  to  the  brave  private's  wish  ;  and  Corporal  Shepard,  equally  brave 
and  patriotic,  though  less  sanguine  and  impulsive,  took  the  state  colors. 
These  two  soldiers  carried  the  colors  through  the  remainder  of  that  and 
the  next  day's  fight,  in  the  battle  of  Wapping  Heights,  and  all  the  time 
until  the  Fall  of  '64,  when  the  regiment  was  at  Point  Lookout.  While 
stationed  heVe  the  national  colors  were  carried  for  a  while,  and  next  after 
Worthen,  by  Sergt.  Charles  S.  Emery,  of  Company  F;  and  it  was  from 
this  place  that  both  the  national  and  state  colors  that  had  been  through 
three  great  battles  of  the  war,  and  one  smaller  engagement,  were  sent 
home  for  preservation  in  the  archives  of  the  State. 

After  this  the  regiment  never  had  any  state  or  regimental  standard,  but 
carried  only  the  national  flag  for  its  banner.  It  is  not  known  who  was 
the  first  standard  bearer  after  receiving  the  new  colors,  but  if  not  one  of 
those  already  mentioned  it  was  probably  Sergt.  John  C.  Sweatt,  of  Com 
pany  H,  who  took  the  national  flag  about  that  time  and  carried  it  from 
then  up  to  and  through  the  battle  of  Swift  Creek,  Va.,  which  was  fought 
within  two  miles  of  the  city  of  Petersburg. 

On  the  same  day  and  immediately  after  this  battle  Sergt.  Charles  W. 
Hoyt,  of  Company  G,  was  selected  to  carry  the  colors,  Sergeant  Sweatt 
being  for  a  time  disabled  from  doing  so ;  and  he  continued  to  act  as  the 
regimental  standard  bearer  until t  he  was  cut  down  in  the  terrible  charge 
at  Cold  Harbor.  He  bravely  upheld  his  country's  flag  through  the  battles 
of  Relay  House,  Drury's  Bluff,  and  Port  Walthall,  and  when  disabled  by 
a  severe  wound  at  Cold  Harbor  he  still  clung  tenaciously  to  his  colors  and 
had  succeeded,  by  dodging  from  tree  to  tree,  in  getting  back  nearly  or  quite 
to  the  breastworks,  when  he  gave  the  colors  to  Corp.  William  Wallace,  Jr., 
of  Company  K,  who  carried  them  off  the  field.  There  has  been  a  little 
dispute  between  these  two  brave  soldiers  as  to  just  what  part  of  the  field  the 
latter  took  charge  of  the  colors  ;  but  it  is  of  trifling  importance  as  affecting 
the  well  deserved  honors  of  either,  and  not  at  all  to  be  wondered  at. 

When  Corporal  Wallace  found  the  few  left  together  of  the  regiment, 
he  gave  the  flag,  with  the  staff  stained  with  blood  from  Sergeant  Iloyt's 
wound  in  the  hand,  to  Colonel  Barker,*  and  this  was  his  presentation 
speech:  "Here,  colonel,  are  your  bloody  old  colors.  Sergeant  Hoyt 
sends  them  to  you  with  his  compliments,  and  wants  me  to  tell  you  that  he 
is  wounded."  No  old  soldier  need  be  told  that  they  were  received  with 
cheers.  The  bullet  that  wounded  Sergeant  Hoyt  left  its  mark  on  the 
flag-staff',  f 

Corporal  Wallace  was  then  and  there  made  sergeant  and  entrusted 
with  the  colors  he  had  helped  to  save.  He  carried  them  during  the  try 
ing  days  that  the  regiment  continued  to  face  the  enemy  at  Cold  Harbor, 
through  the  siege  of  Petersburg, —  except  for  a  few  days  that  he  was 
sick, —  the  battle  of  Cemetery  Hill,  all  the  time  at  Bermuda  Front,  and  north 
of  the  James  until  inspected  and  sent  home  by  order  of  General  Butler.} 

*  See  page  206.  t  See  sketch  of  Hoyt'8  life.  I  See  post. 


378  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Upon  the  regiment  receiving  a  new  national  standard  he  was  ready 
and  willing  to  carry  it  on  the  march  and  stand  up  under  it  on  the  field 
again,  as  he  had  with  the  old  one;  and  he  was  rewarded  at  last  by  the 
proud  privilege  of  bearing  it  triumphantly  into  the  city  of  Richmond. 
Having  borne  the  colors  for  a  longer  time  than  any  other  standard  bearer 
of  the  regiment,  and  until  the  end  of  the  war,  it  seemed  too  bad  that 
sickness  should  prevent  him  from  exercising  the  still  prouder  privilege  of 
carrying  them  home  to  the  capital  of  his  native  State. 

He  reluctantly  relinquished  his  trust,  being  no  longer  able  to  carry 
them,  but  a  few  days  before  the  regiment  started  for  home,  and  Sergt. 
Joseph  F.  Stockbridge,  of  Company  B,  who  had  carried  the  colors  for  a 
short  time  once  before,  and  whose  enviable  record  as  a  soldier  merited 
the  honor,  was  selected  as  the  last  color  sergeant  of  the  Twelfth  New 
Hampshire,  to  bear  aloft  that  glorious  and  now  world-respected  banner  of 
freedom  that  this  regiment  had  so  long  and  heroically  defended. 

The  following  are  copies  of  the  official  papers  that  were  sent  home 
with  the  colors  from  Bermuda  Hundred,  November  4,  1864.  The  request 
of  Colonel  Barker,  that  the  flag  be  sent  home  for  preservation  instead  of 
being  condemned  for  being  no  longer  serviceable,  which  probably  accom 
panied  the  adjutant's  certificate  here  printed,  has  not  been  found. 

I  certify  that  the  National  colors  of  the  I2th  N.  H.  Vols.  became  unservice 
able  in  the  following  manner:  At  the  battle  of  Druiy's  Bluff,  May  16,  1864,  the 
ferrule  on  the  top  of  the  staff  was  struck  by  a  bullet  and  split. 

During  the  twelve  days'  engagement  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  the  staff  was  shot 
off  in  two  places,  one  of  the  tassels  destroyed,  and  the  colors  badly  torn.  In  the 
engagement  before  Petersburg,  August  i,  1864,  the  spear-head  was  shot  away 
and  the  colors  otherwise  damaged,  all  of  which  was  done  by  bullet  shots  from 
the  enemy. 

A.  M.  HEATH, 
Adjt.  1 2th  N.  H.    Vols. 

The  request  was  returned  with  the  following  endorsements  : 

Dropped  from  returns.  Names  of  battles  mentioned  in  the  Adjutant's  certifi 
cate  to  be  inscribed  on  them  and  the  colors  to  be  forwarded  to  the  Adjt.  General 
of  New  Hampshire  to  be  preserved  in  the  archives  of  the  State  with  their  his 
tory.  The  Inspector  feels  unwilling  to  place  the  mark  of  condemnation  on  a 
standard  that  has  so  good  a  record. 

ABEL  E.  LEAVENWORTH, 
Lieut,  and  A.  A.  Inspector  General, 

Provisional  Brigade  i8th  A.   C. 

HEAD  QUARTERS  DEPT.  OF  VA.  AND  N.  C. 

FORTRESS  MUNROE,  VA.,  Oct.  12,  1864. 
The  disposition  within  recommended  will  be  made. 

Approved:  BENJ.  F.  BUTLER, 

Maj.   Gcnl.   Com'd'g. 


Nciv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  379 

HEADQUARTERS  i2Tii  N.  II.  VOLS., 
PROV.  BRIGADE,  PROV.  DIVISION,  ARMY  OF  THE  JAMES, 

DEFENCES  OF  BERMUDA  HUNDRED,  Nov.  4,  1864. 

To  the  Adjutant  General  of  Ne^v  Hampshire. 

SIR, —  I  take  pleasure  in  forwarding  to  you  the  national  colors,  which  have 
been  the  banner  of  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers  for  the  year  past, 
to  be  preserved  in  the  archives  of  the  State,  as  recommended  by  the  Inspector 
General,  and  ordered  by  General  Butler. 

A  standard,  that  has  been  so  gallantly  borne  and  so  bravely  defended,  is  worthy 
of  as  proud  a  position  as  is  in  your  power  to  give  it.  Their  tattered  folds  speak 
volumes  to  the  heroic  few  who  still  remain  to  tell  the  sad  story  of  those  who  have 
fallen  in  their  defence. 

Ages  hence,  when  treason  and  rebellion,  at  home  and  abroad,  shall  be  known 
only  among  the  things  that  were,  when  the  stalwai't  men  who  are  now  defending 
their  country's  rights  and  honor  shall  become  bowed  with  age,  and  their  heads 
silvered  with  the  frost  of  time,  then  will  they  look  upon  the  "  stars  and  stripes," 
under  which  they  have  fought  and  conquered,  with  an  honest  pride,  and  bless 
those  who  have  so  wisely  prepared  a  place  for  their  preservation. 

This  stand  of  colors  has  been  in  the  possession  of  the  regiment  since  Sept.  i, 
1863  ;  and  has  been  carried  during  the  present  campaign  in  the  following  named 
battles:  Swift  Creek,  Va.,  May  9th  and  loth,  1864;  Dairy's  Bluff',  Va.,  May 
i6th,  1864;  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  3d  to  i2th,  1864;  Petersburg,  Va.,  June 
I5th,  1864;  Cemetery  Hill,  Va.,  July  3Oth,  1864.* 

Honorable  mention  should  be  made  of  Sergeant  Hoyt,  of  Co.  G,  who  so 
gallantly  carried  the  colors  at  Cold  Harbor  and  brought  them  from  the  field  amid 
a  shower  of  bullets,  even  after  he  was  severely  wounded.  Sergeant  Wallace,  of 
Co.  K,  is  also  deserving  of  much  credit  for  the  brave  and  commendable  manner 
in  which  he  has  since  borne  them. 

We  transfer  them  now  to  the  care  of  the  State,  hoping  they  will  be  carefully 
preserved  until  we  have  fought  a  few  more  battles  and  made  peaceful  citizens  of 
traitors  and  rebels.  When  peace  shall  be  restored,  the  Union  re-established,  and 
our  glorious  banner  shall  wave  proudly  over  the  whole  and  united  country,  then 
we  will  return  to  the  quiet  walks  of  life  and  resume  our  peaceful  vocations. 

I  am  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

THOMAS  E.  BARKER, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  i2th  N.  H.    Vols. 

Com'd"g~  Regt. 
*Soe  revision  of  battles  and  losses. 


History  of  the  'ftvclfth  Regiment 


THE  SIGNAL  SERVICE. 

Communication  by  signals  of  some  kind  on  land  and  sea,  in  time  of 
war,  is  a  practice  as  old  almost  as  history  itself;  and  has  increased  in 
importance  since  the  invention  of  gunpowder,  and  down  through  the 
annals  of  modern  warfare  until  a  signal  corps  and  code  of  some  kind  is 
to-day  considered  an  indispensable  part  of  every  regularly  organized  army 
among  all  civilized  nations. 

This  practice  of  sending  orders  and  dispatches  by  means  of  signals  is 
of  especial  utility  when,  as  is  frequently  the  case,  time  and  distance  are 
important  factors  and  the  result  of  lasting  consequence,  as  was  conspicu 
ously  illustrated  in  our  late  war  by  the  messages  sent  by  General  Sherman 
to  General  Corse,  while  marching  through  Georgia. 

One  of  these  messages  gave  to  Corse  the  information  that  a  part  of  Hood's 
army  was  marching  toward  Allatoona  with  the  evident  design  of  capturing 
a  large  amount  of  ammunition  and  other  stores,  and  of  taking  possession 
and  filling  up  a  long,  deep  railroad  cut  near  there,  now  known  as  "Alla 
toona  Pass "  ;  and  ordered  him  to  reinforce  both  places  and  fortify  the 
latter  at  once,  as  the  holding  of  the  road  at  that  time  was  essential  to  the 
success  of  Sherman's  plans.  The  order  was  obeyed  just  in  time  to  save 
the  pass  from  a  most  desperate  attempt  to  capture  it  by  a  rebel  division 
sent  there  by  General  Hood  for  that  purpose.  It  was  during  this  fight, 
which  lasted  for  six  hours,  and  was  one  of  the  most  stubborn  of  the  war, 
that  Sherman,  who  had  ordered  troops  to  the  relief  of  the  garrison,  sent 
the  now  world-famous  dispatch:  "  Hold  the  fort  for  I  am  coming"  and 
to  which  the  heroic  defender,  General  Corse,  made  the  bull-dog  reply  : 
"  I  am  short  a  cheek  bone  and  an  ear,  but  can  lick  all  h  —  1  yet." 

Sending  messages  by  means  of  signals  is  therefore  of  great  advantage 
to  an  invading  army  where  a  dispatch  bearer  would  often  have  to  cross 
the  enemy's  country  and  liable  to  be  captured,  or  where  word  can  only  be 
sent  by  penetrating  the  enemy's  lines  where  greater  danger  still  would  be 
incurred.  For  this  reason,  knowing  that  the  rebellious  states  would  have 
to  be  invaded,  the  signal  corps  was  early  organized,  and  thoroughly  drilled 
and  equipped  under  the  orders  of  General  McClellan,  as  soon  as  he  took 
command  ;  and  its  history,  which  is  being  written,  cannot  fail  to  show  its 
great  usefulness  not  only  in  transmitting  orders  and  messages  of  impor 
tance,  but  in  collecting  and  reporting  important  facts  of  observation. 

To  assist  in  both  these  ways,  but  especially  in  the  latter,  high  signal 
towers  were  erected  at  the  most  convenient  and  available  points,  while  the 
Union  army  lay  south  of  Richmond  and  Petersburg  in  1864 -'65.  They 
were  built  of  pine  logs  by  the  engineer  corps  and  varied  from  fifty  to  one 
hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  height.  They  were  so  strongly  braced  as  not  to 
be  easily  blown  over  or  shot  down  ;  although  both  the  "  Cobb  Hill"  and 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  381 

"Crow's  Nest"  towers,  alluded  to  elsewhere  in  this  history,*  came  very 
near  being  destroyed,  the  first  by  wind  and  the  other  by  the  rebel  artillery. 
These  two  towers  were  of  the  same  dimensions,  each  being  one  hundred 
and  thirty  feet  high,  thirty  feet  square  at  the  base,  and  seven  feet  square 
at  the  top,  which  was  reached  by  means  of  long  ladders  zigzagging  from 
platform  to  platform  from  the  ground  up.f 

The  picture  here  given  is  of  the  "  Cobb  Hill"  tower  and  shows  the 
parapet  of  the  fort  lying  between  the  position  of  the  artist's  camera  and 
the  tower,  and  which  cuts  off,  as  will  be  noticed,  the  bottom  view  of  the 
latter.  This  fort  was  built  upon 'the  spot  where  the  owner  of  the  estate 
lived  in  a  large  family  mansion  when  our  troops  first  landed  at  Bermuda 
Hundred  and  City  Point,  and  from  whom  the  tower  took  its  name. 

The  tower  and  detachment  of  men  connected  therewith  were,  at  the  time 
the  picture  was  taken,  in  charge  of  a  signal  officer  who  had  previously 
followed  the  colors  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment,  and  is  shown  in  the  engrav 
ing  sitting  in  a  chair  and  holding  a  newspaper  in  his  hands.  The  man 
standing  near  him  was  his  colored  cook  and  waiter,  and  the  two  others 
reclining  at  his  right  and  front  were  two  naval  captains  then  in  command 
of  gun-boats,  lying  in  the  Appomattox  river  a  short  distance  away  ;  while 
the  person  seen  standing  by  the  wagon  on  the  opposite  side  was  one  of 
the  men  employed  by  Brady  &  Co.,  the  noted  war  photographers  of  New 
York  city,  the  other,  being  at  the  camera,  cannot  of  course  be  seen. 

The  house,  occupied  at  that  time  as  the  officer's  headquarters,  had  been 
the  family  residence  of  one  of  the  slaves  that  worked  upon  the  plantation  ; 
and  the  staging  across  the  ridgepole  was  built  to  signal  from  before  the 
tower  was  built.  The  quarters  of  the  men,  some  of  whom  can  be  seen 
upon  the  tower,  and  the  stables  for  their  horses  were  on  the  other  side  of 
the  fort.  The  dark  spot  seen  on  the  first  section  below  the  top  of  the 
tower  was  a  sort  of  box  shelter  for  the  men  on  duty  during  the  winter 
season,  as  one  of  them  had  to  be  constantly  on  the  watch,  no  matter  how 
cold  or  severe  the  weather. 

Quite  a  long  and  interesting  account  might  be  written  of  this  tower. 
General  Butler  wrote  several  pages  about  it  in  his  recently  published 
book,  but  his  statements  are  mostly  laudatory  of  himself  and  require  a 
liberal  sprinkling  of  "salt,"  as  the  boys  call  it,  for  easy  mental  digestion. 
Even  his  statements  of  matters  of  historic  value  are,  to  say  the  least,  open 
to  considerable  criticism.  He  describes,  for  instance,  the  projectile 
thrown  by  a  i2-pounden  Whitworth  gun  as  being  "  some  two  feet  long, 
in  shape  a  four-sided  bolt,  and  revolving  on  its  axis  made  a  great  noise," 
and  in  the  same  connection  refers  to  it  as  making  a  "terrific  shriek." 
Now  it  is  no  wonder  that  such  a  projectile  as  he  describes  should  make  a 
terrific  shriek,  but  it  is  a  wonder  that  any  person  who  had  ever  seen  or 
heard  the  sound  of  one  should  have  written  about  it  as  above  quoted  ;  and 
more  wonderful  still  that  such  a  description  should  come  from  the  pen  of 
one  of  General  Butler's  reputation. 

*See  panes  173and'J41.        t  One  of  Iliese  towers  had  a.  wind  lass  elevator;  see  engraving  and  anecdote. 


382  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

OHQ  who  has  seen  and  heard  much  more  of,  if  not  about,  them  than 
General  Butler  ever  did,  says  that  a  "  Whitworth  bolt"  as  they  were  aptly 
called  by  those  familiar  with  them,  was  cylindrical  instead  of  rectangular 
in  form,  and  that  every  one  was  evidently  turned  out  by  a  lathe  as 
smoothly  and  with  as  much  symmetrical  precision  as  any  piece  of  very 
nicely  balanced  shafting.  This  indeed  was  absolutely  necessary  to  that 
accuracy  of  aim  for  which  the  Whitworth  gun  has  been  so  long  noted. 
"  A  four-sided  bolt,  revolving  on  its  axis"  would  be  much  more  likely  to 
hum  than  to  hurt,  and  by  its  "  terrific  shriek"  give  unnecessary  warning 
of  its  coming,  as  it  would  never  be  likely  to  hit  any  person  or  thing  at 
which  it  was  aimed.  It  is  true  also  that  a  1 2-pound  bolt  was  about 
ten  instead  of  twenty-four  inches  in  length,  and  two  and  one  half  inches 
in  diameter,  being  conic  shaped  at  one  end,  and  with  a  spiral  groove 
around  it,  so  as  to  fit  into  a  corresponding  twist  projection  in  the  barrel  of 
the  gun. 

The  foregoing  has  been  written  to  correct  an  error  of  belief  quite  com 
mon  among  the  old  veterans,  and  one  which  General  Butler  himself 
seemingly  entertained,  in  relation  to  the  Whitworth  gun  and  its  projectile, 
the  "terrific  shriek"  or  "unearthly  screech"  of  the  latter  being  so 
frequently  heard  spoken  of  by  them  :  when  the  actual  fact  is,  that  no 
such  frightful  sounds  were  ever  made  by  any  projectile  fitted  for  and  com 
ing  from  a  Whitworth  gun.  The  sound  made  by  the  swift  passage  of  one 
of  these  bolts  through  the  air  was  peculiarly  different  from  that  of  other 
artillery  projectiles  of  similar  size  and  weight,  but  neither  louder  nor 
more  frightful. 

Many  of  those  that  were  thrown  at  the  tower  here  represented,  buried 
themselves  in  a  hillside  beyond,  and  were  dug  out  by  visiting  parties  from 
the  North  and  carried  home. 

General  Butler's  story  of  being  in  this  tower  when  the  enemy  saluted 
him  with  a  couple  of  these  shots  materially  differs  from  that  of  the  signal 
officer  then  in  charge  of  the  station  ;  but  the  general  acknowledges  that 
he  was  "  considerably  frightened  "  and  says  :  "If  one  of  the  projectiles 
had  hit  either  of  the  corner  posts  of  the  tower  it  would  have  undoubt 
edly  come  down,  and  myself  with  it,  faster  than  would  have  been 
agreeable."  Yet  the  Crow's  Nest  tower  of  the  same  height  and  build 
withstood  the  concentrated  fire  of  five  guns — three  of  them  2OO-pounder 
Brooks's  rifled  guns  —  from  9  o'clock  in  the  morning  until  4  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  ;  and  though  its  platforms,  ladders,  and  braces  were  more  or 
less  stove  up,  it  still  stood  sufficiently  firm  and  erect  to  allow  the  signal 
officer  and  his  flagman  to  receive  and  send  messages  upon  and  from  its  top. 
It  was  estimated  that  not  less  than  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  shots  were 
fired  at  the  tower  within  the  time  mentioned,  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven 
of  which  were  verified  by  actual  count,  commenced  at  the  suggestion  of 
the  lieutenant  in  charge  of  "  Water  Battery,"  near  by,  after  he  had  been 
watching  for  more  than  an  hour  to  see  it  go  down. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  383 

A  soldier  who  visited  the  tower  soon  afterward  said  :  "I  don't  believe 
there  was  a  whole  stick  left  in  the  structure  ;  all  were  either  splintered  or 
broken.  Even  the  boards  of  the  platform  on  which  the  officer  and  his  flag 
man  stood  were  broken  by  pieces  of  shell  that  had  burst  below  them." 

Though  this  is  slightly  exaggerative,  it  is  so  true  substantially  that  had 
General  Butler  been  obliged  to  stand  there  he  would  have  been  convinced, 
if  not  too  badly  frightened  to  calmly  consider  the  subject,  that  something 
more  powerfully  destructive  than  a  Whitworth  bolt  would  be  necessary  to 
demolish  a  signal  tower. 

The  author  of  the  book  from  which  the  above  quotation  was  taken,*  in 
referring  to  the  trying  experience  of  the  officer  upon  the  tower  at  this 
time,  says  : 

At  the  battle  of  Chapin's  Farm  he  found  that  two  cannon  had  been  planted 
the  night  before  just  across  the  river  on  purpose  to  knock  him  out  of  the  tower 
while  the  heavier  guns  of  Hewlett's  battery  were  trying  to  knock  it  down. 

No  wonder  that  when  the  "  ball "  opened  on  that  eventful  day  he  turned  to  his 
flagman  and  remarked  :  "  We  might  as  well  make  our  peace  with  God,  for  we 
shall  never  get  out  of  this  alive."  Yet,  strange  to  say,  and  impossible  as  it 
seems,  though  platforms,  posts,  ladders,  and  braces  were  rent,  splintered,  and 
broken,  yet  the  tower  stood,  and  they  did  get  out  of  it  not  only  alive  but  unhurt ! 

He  has  informed  the  writer  that,  though  it  was  "  a  mighty  uncertain  balance 
of  chances,"  he  has  once  or  twice  stood  in  a  place  of  greater  danger,  but  never 
where  it  required  greater  nerve  power  to  control  himself.  "  To  keep  your  eye," 
said  he,  "  steadily  at  the  glass,  and  keep  cool  enough  to  catch  and  interpret  every 
switch  of  the  distant  flag  through  the  smoke  of  battle,  while  a  2oo-pound 
shell  explodes  within  the  tower  directly  beneath  you,  and  spiteful  percus 
sion  ro-pounders  are  flying  around  your  head,  is  not,  as  you  can  imagine,  a  very 
easy  thing  to  do.  There  is  an  almost  irresistible  impulse  to  let  the  message,  how 
ever  important,  go  to  the  d  —  1,  and  look  around  to  see  if  you  are  not  going  in 
the  same  direction  yourself." 

The  top  of  that  tower  was  a  very  busy  as  well  as  dangerous  place  at 
that  time,  as  the  officer  and  his  flagmen  —  for  there  were  three  or  four 
different  ones  of  the  latter  during  the  day  —  were  almost  constantly 
engaged  in  taking,  answering,  and  transmitting  messages,  some  of  which 
were  between  Grant  and  Butler,  and  in  giving  the  latter  and  General  Ord 
information  about  the  rebel  troops,  their  strength,  position,  and  reinforce 
ments,  that  were  opposed  to  them.f  It  was  because  of  the  commanding 
view  of  their  lines  and  movements  given  to  us  from  this  tower  that  the 
rebels  were  so  intent  upon  destroying  it. 

Signal  messages  were  sent  by  means  of  flags  by  day  and  torches  by 
night.  The  flags  used  varied  in  size  and  color  according  to  the  distance 
and  the  location  of  the  sender.  The  smallest  —  called  "action  flags," 
because  used  in  battle  and  for  short  distances  —  were  eighteen  by  twenty- 
four  inches,  while  the  largest,  used  for  long  distance  signaling,  were  either 

*  Robinson's  history  of  Pittsrield,  N.  H.,  in  the  Great  Rebellion.  t  See  page  241. 


384  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

six  feet  square  or  six  by  eight,  and  the  staffs  or  poles  to  which  they  were 
attached  were  from  twelve  to  sixteen  feet  long.  With  flags  of  this  size 
messages  could  be  sent  in  a  clear  day  from  one  mountain  top  to  another 
though  separated  by  a  distance  of  thirty  and  forty  miles,  as  was  several 
times  the  case  in  keeping  up  communication  between  the  two  wings  of 
Sherman's  army  on  his  famous  march  "  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea."  In 
such  a  campaign  as  his  through  the  enemy's  country,  the  signal  code 
practice  was  of  great  advantage.  The  colors  of  the  flags  were  white  with 
red  centre,  where  the  background  was  dark  like  the  woods  ;  black,  with 
white  or  red  centre,  where  the  background  was  light  like  the  top  of  a 
tower  or  woodless  hill ;  and  red  with  white  centre,  when  signaling  on  the 
water;  the  intention  being,  as  will  be  seen,  to  use  a  flag,  the  color  of 
which  would  make  such  a  contrast  with  the  shade  of  the  background  of 
the  sender  of  the  message  as  to  be  the  most  distinctly  seen  by  the  observer 
who  receives  it. 

To  signal  at  night,  two  torches  made  by  setting  fire  to  balls  of  cotton 
roping  soaked  in  spirits  of  turpentine  and  attached  to  poles  were  used  ;  one 
of  these  torches  was  swung  to  the  right,  left,  or  front  the  same  as  a  flag  and 
the  other  placed  upon  the  ground  or  floor  just  in  front  of  the  flagman's 
feet.  The  use  of  the  foot  torch  will  be  better  understood  when  the  reader 
learns  the  meaning  of  the  motions  which  will  be  now  briefly  explained, 
so  that  the  reader  may  know  how  messages  are  sent.  Every  motion  of 
the  flag  or  torch  to  the  right  or  left  symbolized  a  letter  or  part  of  a  letter, 
not  over  four  motions  being  made  for  any  one  letter ;  but  the  numerals 
required  five  motions  for  each  figure.  The  number  and  direction  of  the 
motions  are  indicated  to  the  flagman  who  makes  them  by  numbers  called 
off  to  him  by  the  officer  who  sends  the  message.  Even  numerals  meant 
motions  to  the  right  and  odd  ones  to  the  left,  and  the  figure  five  was  used 
when  the  officer  wanted  a  motion  to  the  front,  a  single  motion  in  that  direc 
tion  denoting  the  end  of  a  word,  two  motions  the  end  of  a  sentence,  and 
three  the  end  of  the  message.  The  foot-torch  helps  to  distinguish  the 
side  from  the  front  motions  of  the  one  held  in  the  hands. 

The  officers  were  required  to  make  oath  that  they  would  not  divulge 
any  part  or  secrets  of  the  code,  but  as  the  old  code  is  no  longer  used, 
and  the  object  of  its  secrecy  not  now  existing,  it  is  here  given,  so  far  as 
the  simple  alphabet  went,  as  used  in  1864. 

A  .  .'        .         .  ii  I  .  .                               2 

B  .                            .  1423  J  .                             .     2231 

C  .  -234  K  .  .     1434 

D  .                  .         .  in  L  .  .         .                114 

E  .  .         .         .  23  M  .  .         .         .2314 

F  .  1114  N  .  .         .         .         22 

G  .  .         .         .  1142  O  .  .         .         .         14 

H  ....  231  P  .                                 2343 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  385 

Q_    .         .         .         .     2342  V    .         .         .         .2311 

R     ....       142  W    .  .     2234 

S     .  143  X    .  .     1431 

T       .  I  Y      .  222 

U     .  223  Z    .         .         ,         .     ii i i 

If  the  officer  wanted  to  signal  the  letter  A,  he  would  call  out  eleven, 
and  his  flagman  would  immediately  make  two  motions  of  his  flag  or 
torch  to  the  left ;  if  the  letter  B  was  to  be  signaled,  he  would  call  fourteen 
twenty  three,  and  the  flagman  would  make  one  motion  to  the  left,  two 
motions  to  the  right,  and  another  motion  to  the  left ;  and  so  on  through 
the  whole  alphabet,  the  even  figures  of  any  number  calling  for  motions  to 
the  right,  and  odd  ones  to  the  left. 

Beside  the  letters  there  were  numerous  abbreviations  which,  together 
with  numbers  for  the  common  ending  of  many  words  like  tion,  able,  ing, 
etc.,  very  much  aided  in  sending  a  message.  But  as  a  still  greater  aid  in 
the  matter  of  time,  which  was  sometimes  of  great  importance  in  battle, 
a  few  letters,  made  by  a  few  quick  switches  of  the  flag,  would  be  suffi 
cient  to  send  an  order  or  dispatch  from  the  commanding  general  to  one 
of  his  grand  division  or  corps  commanders,  as:  "A.  R.  L. —  Advance 
and  reinforce  our  line;"  "  E.  A.  L. —  Enemy  advancing  on  our  left;" 
"  L.  O.  R. —  Keep  sharp  lookout  on  your  right ;  "  "  F.  O. —  Fire  over  us," 
etc. 

The  phonetic  method  of  spelling  was  practiced  in  the  signal  service 
and  found  very  necessary  to  a  quick  and  easy  working  of  the  code.  A 
word,  unless  a  person's  name,*  was  very  seldom  spelled  out  in  full,  the 
vowels  being  left  out,  and  it  would  have  surprised  a  novice  to  see  how 
rapidly  two  old  signal  officers  could  communicate  with  each  other. 

From  the  foregoing  the  reader  cannot  fail  to  understand  something 
about  that  of  which  even  the  old  veterans  know  but  little,  viz.  :  the  modus 
operand/'  of  army  signaling. 

During  the  first  part  of  the  war  the  signal  codes  used  in  the  Union  and 
Confederate  armies  were  so  similar,  that  messages  sent  on  either  side 
were  frequently  intercepted  by  the  other ;  and  this  continued,  much  to  the 
annoyance  of  the  signal  officers  and  the  detriment  of  the  service  in  both 
armies,  notwithstanding  several  changes  in  the  codes,  until  some  ingen 
ious  Yankee  invented  the  "  cypher-disk"  method  of  signaling,  which  was 
too  hard  a  puzzle  for  the  rebel  signal  officers  to  solve,  and  the  language 
of  our  flags  and  torches  was  ever  after  an  unknown  tongue  to  them  ; 
while  we  continued  to  read  theirs,  intercepting  several  messages  more  or 
less  important,  to  the  end  of  the  war. 

On  the  day  after  the  battle  of  the  "Mine"  or  Cemetery  Hill,  the 
following  rebel  message  was  read  by  one  of  our  officers  as  it  was  flagged 
from  one  of  their  signal  stations  to  one  of  their  ironclads  on  the  James 
river. 

"5  *  See  anecdote. 


386 


History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


July  31,  1864. 
To  Flag  Officer  Mitchel : 

Grant  sprung  a  mine  at  Petersburg  at  5  A.  M.  yesterday;  charged  and  took  our 
line.  Mahone,  with  his  own  and  Wright's  brigade,  recaptured  the  works  and 
captured  General  Bartlett  and  staff,  75  commissioned  officers,  900  prisoners,  and 
12  stands  of  colors ;  and  also  recaptured  the  party  that  was  taken.  Five  hundred 
Yankee  dead  are  in  the  trenches.  This  is  official. 

( Signed.)  SMITH, 

Major. 

The  next  and  last  to  be  written  upon  the  subject  of  signaling  is  a  mes 
sage  sent  from  "  Cobb  Hill "  tower  to  General  Butler  through  his  chief 
signal  officer  on  the  morning  that  the  rebel  works,  above  referred  to,  were 
blown  up,  and  referring  to  the  same  explosion  : 

COBB'S  HILL,  July  30,  1864,  6  A.   M. 
Captain  Norton : 

South,  5  degrees  west,  cannonading  for  the  last  half-hour  about  5  miles  distant. 
Also  a  line  of  smoke  indicating  musketry  fire.  Our  shells  bursting  over  atid 
beyond  the  enemy's  lines.  South  30  degrees  west,  about  i|  miles  distant,  a 

house  burning. 

(  Signed.  )  BARTLETT, 

Signal  Officer. 


The  following  is  from  a. poem  by  Capt.  Daniel  W.  Bohonon,  which 
was  written  for,  and  read  at,  the  reunion  of  the  regiment  upon  Diamond 
Island,  July  4,  1866  : 


Once  more  we  meet,  my  comrades  dear ; 
The  past  has  claimed  another  year, 
Since  each  one  clasped  the  friendly  hand, 
In  welcome  greeting  to  our  band. 

The  years  fly  on  with  rapid  wing, 
Change,  joy,  and  sorrow  still  they  bring; 
The  earnest  hope,  the  task  begun, 
The  patient  toil,  the  victory  won, 
The  cares  of  life  engross  us  still, 
To  test  the  heart  and  try  the  will. 
For  not  alone  in  days  of  war 
Should  we  be  true  to  duty's  law, 
But,  without  thought  of  toil  or  cost, 
Life  should  be  one  grand  holocaust, 
Burning  on  honor's  altar  bright, 
With  patriot  zeal,  with  radiant  light. 
Yet  haply,  from  our  earthly  lot, 
Something  survives  that  changes  not ; 
Something  by  love  and  trial  made 
Nobler  than  produce,  stocks,  and  trade, 
That  in  our  varied,  checkered  lives 
Like  holy  incense  still  survives. 
'Tis  affection's  boon,  to  mortals  given, 
Received  on  earth,  bestowed  from  heaven 
That  man  retains,  strong  proof  of  all. 
Something  possessed  before  the  fall ! 


We  that  survive,  alas  !  how  few  ! 
Remember  eighteen  sixty-two, 
When  from  the  farm  and  college  hall 
The  TWELFTH  was  borne  from  duty's  call, 
How  with  sad  hearts,  and  yet  elate, 
We  left  the  noble  Granite  State, 
Not  knowing  then,  as  now  we  see, 
How  death  was  immortality  ; 
For  not  a  life  for  country  given, 
Is  ever  lost  in  sight  of  heaven. 
And  the  meanest  gift  for  that  high  cause 
Will  win  the  angels'  sure  applause. 
****** 
And  now,  my  comrades,  ere  you  part, 
As  holy  zeal  pervades  the  heart, 
In  Life's  Great  Book  a  page  turn  back, 
And  see  the  march  and  bivouac  ; 
Scan  the  long  list  of  names  "relieved 
From  duty,"  called  to  a  higher  field. 
Their  earthly  cares  ceased  with  this  life, 
Who  will  befriend  the  child  and  wife? 
Be  it  ours  to  act  a  father's  part, 
Relieve  the  want,  console  the  heart, 
And  cherish  well  with  heart  and  head, 
The  memory  of  our  noble  dead. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  387 


THE  UNION  VOLUNTEER. 

As  an  additional  tribute  * — for  too  much  cannot  be  said  in  their  praise  — 
to  those  to  whose  united  efforts,  standing  shoulder  to  shoulder,  we  are  so 
largely  indebted  for  our  national  existence,  the  following  extract  from  an 
oration,  delivered  upon  the  occasion  of  the  reunion  mentioned  on  the  pre 
ceding  page,  and  referring  to  them  and  their  great  leaders,  will  be  here 
given  : 

It  is  not  in  vain  that  we  contemplate  the  transcendant  genius  of  a  Washington, 
who  like  Fabius  could  "  save  a  nation  by  delay,  "  and  so  govern  the  vicissitudes 
of  fortune  by  the  foresight  of  philosophy  as  to  secure  victory  from  defeat,  until, 
like  Caesar,  the  eagle  of  his  conquests  could  soar  above  proud  Albion's  crest  and 
cause  the  British  lion  to  couch  beneath  the  shadow  of  its  conquering  pinions; 
for  we  learn,  thereby,  the  better  to  appreciate  the  goodness  and  greatness  of  our  own 
beloved  Lincoln,  who,  imitating  the  virtues  of  Washington,  will  live  in  the  undy 
ing  praise  of  ages  yet  to  come.  As  the  savior  of  his  country  and  the  great 
emancipator  of  a  long-oppressed  and  down-trodden  race,  his  name  shall  be 
inscribed,  with  that  of  his  illustrious  predecessor,  high  up  on  the  monumental 
adamant  of  imperishable  glory. 

Washington  and  Lincoln  !  Exemplar  of  Christian  heroes !  Prince  of  free 
dom's  martyrs!  The  father  of  his  country,  and  the  savior  of  the  same!  In 
what  favored  age  or  nation  shall  the  pen  of  the  historian  be  able  to  record  the 
existence  of  characters  so  greatly  good  and  gloriously  sublime !  Greece  could 
once  boast  of  her  Aristides  and  Leonidas,  her  Socrates,  Solon,  and  Epaminondas  ; 
while  Rome  could  vote  the  golden  purple  and  laurel  wreath  to  her  Ciusars  and 
her  Scipios,  and  point  with  pride  to  a  Cicero,  a  Fabius,  Cato,  and  Cincinnatus; 
but  where  among  all  those  illustrious  heroes,  philosophers,  and  statesmen  shall 
we  look  for  the  immortal  fame  of  a  Washington  or  the  deathless  name  of  a  Lin 
coln  !  Commissioned  of  Heaven  to  perform,  like  Moses,  a  great  and  important 
part  in  the  grand  drama  of  events  —  to  accomplish  the  work  of  ages  in  the  sub 
lime  revolution  of  an  hour  —  they  have  nobly  fulfilled  their  mission  and  gone  to 
surrender  up  their  credentials  into  the  hands  of  their  great  Sovereign  and  Com 
mander.  Had  we  nothing  else  to  bequeath  to  posterity  but  the  examples  of 
such  exalted  merit,  as  is  exhibited  in  the  single  life  of  Abraham  Lincoln  alone, 
it  would  be  a  patrimony  more  valuable  to  the  rising  generations  of  our  blood- 
washed  and  freedom-dedicated  land,  than  all  the  wealth  that  ever  grew  from  soil 
enriched  by  the  bondman's  sweat,  or  watered  by  the  slave  mother's  tears.  Though 
he  fell  with  his  armor  on,  as  the  great  chief  of  a  martyred  host  of  fallen  patriots, 
and  has,  like  them,  sealed  his  mission  with  his  blood,  yet  Lincoln  survives,  and 
with  "  malice  towards  none,  but  charity  for  all,"  his  spirit  — 

Invisibly  shall  beckon  on  — 
A  leader  and  a  chieftain  born 
But  never  born  to  die. 

*See  page  359  ct  seq. 


388  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

But  the  greatest  of  men  are  but  humble  instruments  in  the  hands  of  the  Great 
Master  Workman,  and  as  such  no  more  deserving  of  praise  than  the  poorest  sub 
ject  or  weakest  private  beneath  their  rule  or  under  their  command.  The  Ameri 
can  citizen,  however  humble  or  obscure,  who  obeying  the  dictates  of  conscience 
shouldered  his  musket  in  defense  of  the  liberties  of  his  native  land,  and  fought 
the  red-handed  and  black-hearted  traitors  face  to  face  until  the  viper-headed  mon 
ster  of  armed  Treason  could  no  longer  strike  its  deadly  fangs  at  the  nation's  vitals, 
is  deserving  of  as  high  a  tribute  of  praise  as  can  be  bestowed  upon  any  man,  for 
any  achievement  in  any  age  or  time.  But  for  the  brave  heroes  that  composed 
the  rank  and  file  of  the  Union  army,  where  now  would  be  the  declaration  of 
freedom  and  equality  that  you  have  listened  to  with  glowing  countenances  to-day  ? 

When  at  half  past  four  o'clock  on  the  i2th  day  of  April,  1861,  the  first  gun 
was  fired  upon  Fort  Sumter,  and  the  thunders  of  the  great  American  rebellion 
struck  their  first  notes  to  sound  the  march  of  a  hell-born  despotism  upon  the  ears 
of  a  startled  and  astonished  world,  who  was  it  that,  forgetful  of  all  but  his  coun 
try's  peril,  waited  not  for  a  father's  benediction,  a  mother's  prayer,  or  a  sister's 
parting  kiss,  but  rushed  boldly  to  the  rescue  and  threw  his  body  as  a  living  sac 
rifice  upon  the  altar  of  his  country?  The  Union  volunteer!  And  tell  me,  when 
the  rebel  hordes  swarmed  upon  Arlington  Heights  and  their  glistening  bayonets 
filled  the  streets  of  Alexandria;  when  the  dark  and  threatening  clouds  of  disso 
lution  and  ruin,  rolling  up  from  the  southern  horizon,  spread  their  muttering 
thunders  over  these  northern  skies,  and  hissed  their  forked  lightnings  around  the 
dome  of  our  National  Capitol ;  who  was  it,  that  true  to  his  country  and  his  God, 
rallied  around  that  glorious  old  standard  of  Yorktown  and  Saratoga,  and  drove 
the  dark  minions  of  sedition  back  till  the  shades  of  Mount  Vernon  were  no 
longer  desecrated  by  their  presence?  The  Union  volunteer!  He  it  was  who, 
three  years  ago  to-day,  planted  the  stars  and  stripes  upon  the  fortified  heights  of 
Vicksburg,  and  bore  them  triumphantly  over  the  rebel  dead  upon  the  decisive 
and  ever  to  be  remembered  field  of  Gettysburg.  And,  fellow  comrades,  you 
will  bear  me  witness  to  the  truth  of  the  assertion,  that  had  it  been  left  to  a  vote 
of  the  rank  and  file  of  the  surviving  heroes  of  the  terrible  struggle  upon  that  his 
toric  field  instead  of  the  decision  of  your  ostensible  leader,  one  of  the  greatest 
blunders  of  the  war  would  have  been  avoided,  and  Williamsport  instead  of  Appo- 
mattox  would  now  be  known  as  the  Yorktown  of  the  rebellion.  And,  sir,  if 
the  soldier  citizens  of  the  loyal  States  were  to  compose  the  jury  that  is  to  try  the 
arch-traitor  of  Fortress  Monroe  next  November,  I  should  have  no  fears  but  that 
they  would  render  a  verdict  worthy  the  honor  and  justice  of  a  country,  which  he 
has  drenched  in  fraternal  blood  to  destroy,  but  which  they,  by  their  unexampled 
sacrifice  and  valor,  have  saved  from  his  traitorous  grasp. 

Let  it  not  be  forgotten,  then,  that  to  him  who  has  carried  the  cartridge  box 
and  the  musket,  belongs  no  small  share  of  the  nation's  gratitude  and  thanks  for 
the  high  privileges  and  invaluable  blessings  which,  through  the  mercy  of  an  over 
ruling  Providence,  have  been  vouchsafed  to  thirty  millions  of  American  freemen. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  389 


THE  CHANCES  AND  CHANGES  OF  WAR. 

"The  smaller  the  chances  the  greater  the  changes,"  is  certainly  true  in 
war.  No  better  illustration  of  this  could  well  be  given  than  a  careful 
inspection  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment  when  it  left  Washington,  October 
17,  1862,  for  the  front,  and  again  upon  its  return  to  that  city  after  the 
Gettysburg  campaign,  July  27,  1863,  but  little  more  than  nine  months 
afterward.* 

When  Colonel  Barker  took  command  of  a  brigade  near  Fort  Harrison, 
in  the  Fall  of  '64,!  one  of  his  regiments  was  the  Second  New  Hampshire 
in  which  he  was  serving  as  corporal  when  captured  by  the  enemy  at  the 
first  battle  of  Bull  Run  ;  and  this  was  his  first  connection  with  the  regi 
ment  afterward. 

Thus  one  of  the  members  of  the  "Gallant  Second,"  from  the  ranks  of 
which  so  many  officers  had  been  promoted  before  the  close  of  the  war, 
had  arisen  from  the  rank  of  a  corporal  to  the  position  of  an  acting  briga 
dier-general,  and  the  change  in  the  regiment  itself  was  scarcely  less 
remarkable. 

Lieutenant  Dunn,  who  after  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  was  one  of 
only  four  officers  out  of  twenty-eight  left  able  to  do  duty,  wrote  a  letter 
home  in  which  he  said:  "Who  would  have  thought  a  few  months  ago, 
when  I  enlisted  as  private,  that  I  should  have  command  of  the  remnants 
of  two  companies  of  the  regiment  now?" 

Of  the  ten  hundred  and  nineteen  original  members  of  the  regiment 
mustered  into  the  service  in  the  Fall  of '62,  only  two  hundred  and  forty- 
two  were  mustered  out  at  the  end  of  the  war;  and  of  the  eighteen  officers 
who  came  home  with  the  regiment,  only  four  held  commissions  when  they 
left  the  State,  and  but  one  of  them,  Surgeon  Fowler,  bore  the  same  rank 
as  when  he  started.  The  other  fourteen,  including  major,  adjutant,  acting 
quartermaster,  and  assistant  surgeon,  all  arose  from  the  ranks;  four  of 
them  being  sergeants,  two  corporals,  and  eight  privates,  when  they  went 
to  the  front. 

Closely  connected  with  the  foregoing  is  the  significant  fact,  not  often 
considered,  that  in  "  the  mighty  task  performed,"  of  crushing  out  the 
"  Great  Rebellion  "  of  1861  -'65,  the  harder  and  greater  part  was  done  by 
a  comparatively  small  part  of  those  who  enlisted  to  do  it. 

Doubtful  as  this  statement  may  at  first  seem  a  little  reflection  will  show 
its  correctness.  The  record  of  the  Twelfth  will  sufficiently  illustrate.  No 
regiment  of  stouter  and  more  rugged  men  went  into  the  war  from  the  whole 
North,  perhaps,  and  yet  it  took  but  about  two  months  of  comparatively 
easy  service  to  reduce  its  rank  and  file  to  less  than  eight  hundred  effective 
men  to  enter  its  first  battlefield.  Four  months  and  a  half  more,  all  except 
the  "Mud  March"  in  winter  quarters,  left  only  five  hundred  and  forty- 
nine  men  to  carry  muskets  from  Falmouth  to  Chancellorsville,  from 

*  See  page  143.  t  See  page  242. 


39°  History  of  the  T^uelfth  Regiment 

whom  not  less  than  five  per  cent  should  be  deducted  to  get  nearest  the 
number  of  those  who  actually  fought  the  enemy  on  the  day  of  that  terrible 
carnage.  Less  by  one  than  sixty  days  later,  and  but  two  hundred  and 
twenty-four  officers  and  men  were  present  and  ready  to  confront  their 
country's  foes  on  the  field  of  Gettysburg  ;  and  when  the  regiment  arrived 
in  Washington  about  three  weeks  afterwards,  as  above  referred  to,  only 
sixty-nine  musket  bearers  answered  to  the  roll-call,  being  all  then  left 
for  active  duty  in  the  ranks  out  of  nearly  ten  hundred  that  left  Concord 
just  ten  months  before. 

But  how  do  you  account  for  the  rest?  is  the  question  that  will  naturally 
arise  in  the  mind  of  the  reader,  and  the  answer  to  which  is  here  given 
with  approximate  correctness  as  follows : 

25  per  cent  in  the  grave;   about  one  half  killed  in  battle. 

20  "  sick  and  wounded  in  hospital. 

15  "  "  "  discharged. 

10  "  "  "  on  furlough. 

10  "  on  detached  service  or  special  duty. 

5  "  at  "  Parole  Camp,"  Annapolis,  or  in  Southern  prisons. 

5  "  at  "Distribution  Camp,"  Alexandria,  awaiting  orders. 

5  "  in  Canada  or  elsewhere,  as  deserters. 

5  "  otherwise  or  not  accounted  for. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  that  about  fifty  per  cent  of  the  whole 
regiment  were  out  of  the  service  entirely  before  they  had  been  in  a  year ; 
and  of  the  remainder,  most  of  whom  were  in  hospital  or  on  furlough,  not 
more  than  one  third  ever  returned  to  the  regiment  for  regular  duty,  those 
surviving  and  not  discharged  for  disability  being  transferred  into  the  Inva 
lid  Corps,  or  allowed  to  do  light  duty  elsewhere,  as  nurses,  clerks,  etc. 
Many  who  returned  to  the  regiment  at  Point  Lookout  were  discharged  or 
again  sent  to  the  hospital  before  the  Spring  campaign  opened.  From  that 
time  to  the  end  of  the  war,  through  all  the  hardship  and  fighting  of 
Bermuda  Front,  Drury's  Bluff,  Cold  Harbor,  the  long  and  severe  siege  of 
Petersburg  and  the  hard  and  trying  service  of  the  Fall  and  Winter  fol 
lowing,  the  number  of  the  original  members  who  stood  by  the  flag  would 
scarcely  average  one  hundred,  counting  both  officers  and  men. 

It  is  true  that  few  regiments  of  the  war  on  either  side  suffered  so 
severely  and  lost  so  heavily  for  the  time  it  served  as  the  Twelfth  New 
Hampshire  ;  but  its  record  will  all  the  better  convince  anyone  who  will 
study  it  that  it  was  the  heroic  few  who  fought  the  battles  for  the  many. 
And  all  this,  not  that  a  large  majority  of  those  who  did  little  were  any 
the  less  willing  and  brave,  but  because  they  had  not  the  iron  constitution 
and  good  luck  to  sustain  them  on  the  march  and  save  them  from  wounds 
or  death  upon  the  field,  that  their  more  fortunate  comrades  had,  and  with 
out  which  the  bravest  heart  and  noblest  soul  had  but  to  yield,  as  so  many 
did,  to  the  stern  decree  of  fate,  for  such  are  the  chances  and  changes 
of  war. 


CHAPTER   XVII. 

EXPERIENCES,  ANECDOTES,  AND  INCIDENTS. 
LOADING  UP. 

It  must  force  a  smile  into  the  face  of  every  old  veteran,  whatever  his 
aches  and  pains,  as  he  recalls  in  his  memory  the  loading  up,  or  rather 
loading  down,  process  of  the  raw  recruit,  preparatory  to  his  leaving  his 
state  for  the  front. 

He  of  course  knows  his  business,  and  intends  to  take  only  the  absolute 
necessities  of  his  new  calling.  He  uses  his  common  sense  —  too  common 
with  many  —  and  seems  to  have  no  doubt  that  experience  will  prove  the 
wisdom  of  his  acts.  And  so  he  picks  up  and  jams  into  his  knapsack  and 
pockets  this,  that,  and  the  other,  one  third  of  which  perhaps  will  never  be 
of  the  slightest  use  to  him,  and  one  half  of  the  remainder  more  of  a  bur 
den  than  a  benefit. 

He  thinks  it  certain  he  shall  need  a  pair  of  slippers  to  rest  his  aching  feet,  as 
he  takes  his  accustomed  after-supper  smoke  by  the  camp-fire  before  retiring,  but 
hesitates  about  taking  a  dressing-gown  or  a  night  shirt.  Two  or  three  changes 
of  underwear  are  of  course  indispensable,  and  also  as  many  pairs  of  socks,  gloves, 
neckties,  suspenders,  etc.,  etc.  And  thus  he  keeps  on  adding  to  what  "Uncle 
Sam"  has  supplied  him  with,  in  the  way  of  clothing,  until  his  knapsack  is  full, 
while  quite  a  number  of  articles  that  he  must  take  are  left  out. 

He  stops,  scratches  his  head,  and  seriously  considers  the  situation.  He  cannot 
cam-  an  extra  bundle  for  this  would  interfere  with  the  handling  of  his  gun,  and 
there  is  not  room  in  his  pockets.  He  has  often  been  told  that  "  where  there's  a 
wil1  there 's  a  way,"  but  concludes  that  the  originator  of  that  apothegm  could 
never  have  been  a  conscript  or  a  volunteer ;  and  he  begins,  for  the  first  time  per 
haps,  to  soberly  reflect  upon  the  inconveniences  of  army  life,  and  wonders  if  what 
the  future  has  in  store  for  him  will  be  much  rougher  than  what  he  bargained  for 
with  himself  when  he  enlisted. 

But  the  die  has  been  cast  and  the  stamp,  in  size  and  form,  must  correspond. 
And  so  he  overhauls  his  load,  and  commences  to  select  out  and  repack. 

First  before  him  now,  comes  the  tourniquet.  He  has  his  choice  to  carry  that 
or  bleed  to  death,  if  he  should  ever  be  so  extremely  unfortunate  as  to  be  wounded  ; 
for  if  they  were  not  life-saving  inventions,  why  should  every  soldier  be  furnished 
with  one? 

Then  the  havclock,  so  called  because  extensively  used,  he  is  told,  by  the  army 
of  Sir  John  Havelock  during  his  campaigns  in  India.  That  must  not  be  left  for 
it  not  only  protects  the  back  part  of  the  head  and  neck  from  sun  and  dust,  but 
guards  against  sudden  colds  from  winds  and  rain,  and  perhaps  may  save  him  from 
an  attack  of  cerebro  spinal  meningitis. 


392  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Next  comes  the  half-dozen  or  more  of  patent  medicines  and  appliances  that  he 
has  bought  of  camp  peddlers,  all  of  whom  have  been  there  themselves,  and  know 
all  about  it.  First  among  these,  because  nearest  the  heart,  is  the  "  bullet-proof, 
steel  vest  lining."  He  cannot  afford  to  risk  himself  in  battle  without  that,  if  it  is 
slightly  cumberous  and  heavy  to  carry  or  wear,  for  "  they  saved  thousands  of 
lives  in  the  Crimean  War,"  in  proof  of  which  he  has  seen  a  bullet  dent,  directly 
over  the  heart,  in  the  one  the  peddler  himself  wore  at  the  siege  of  Sevastopol. 

Then  he  picks  up  the  "  sponge-cap-pad,"  so  wisely  designed  and  constructed 
as  to  keep  the  head  cool,  however  hot  the  sun  or  exciting  the  contest,  and  he 
decides  to  take  it  because  so  light  and  yielding,  and  may  save  him  from  a  stroke 
of  the  sun,  if  not  of  a  rebel  sabre.  So,  on  the  multum  in  parvo  theory  that  he  is 
trying  so  hard  now  to  reduce  to  practice,  he  presses  into  the  pad  a  bottle  each  of 
Jamaica  ginger,  "  anti-scorbutic  mixture,"  and  toothache  drops,  wraps  them  all  up 
in  a  "  medicated  abdominal  supporter,"  and  a  "  buckskin  lung  protector •,"  and 
with  a  box  or  two  of  pills  for  biliousness  and  malaria,  and  a  pair  of  cork  soles  for 
wet  weather  (which  reminds  him  of  one  need  that  he  cannot  hope  for,  an  um 
brella  )  he  congratulates  himself  that  he  is  securely  casemated  against  everything 
except  cannon  shot  and  yellow  fever. 

But  these  only  cover  his  sanatory  stores  and  special  life-preservers,  while  quite 
a  pile  of  the  useful  and  convenient  still  remains  untouched,  awaiting  his  disposal. 
He  looks  them  over,  and  one  thing,  of  great  prophylactic  virtue,  which  he  had 
strangely  overlooked,  is  at  once  selected  as  too  vitally  essential  to  his  life  and 
health  to  be  forgotten.  It  is  the  '-'•Soldier's  Drinking  Tube"  (Right  here 
comes  in  a  good  joke  and  a  hearty  laugh  at  the  expense  of  Sutler  Hodgdon, 
which  he  and  all  of  Company  E  still  living  will  not  fail  to  appreciate.) 

This  very  wonderful  instrument  was  highly  recommended  as  something  quite  as 
useful  (?)  as  it  was  unique.  Like  all  great  inventions  it  was  simple  in  its 
mechanical  construction,  consisting  of  a  small  rubber  tube,  about  three  feet  long, 
having  at  one  end  a  pewter  mouth-piece,  and  attached  at  the  other  end  to  an 
"  automatic,  duplex  water-Jiltcr."  By  using  this  not  only  would  the  infusorial 
myriads  that  infest  the  streams  of  the  South  (  to  say  nothing  about  snakes,  lizards, 
and  centipedes),  but  the  deadly  microbes  of  disease  be  excluded  from  the  stomach, 
and  thus  typhoid  and  intermittent  fevers,  dysentery,  and  many  other  dangerous 
and  prevalent  diseases  of  the  army  be  avoided.  Moreover,  it  could  easily  be  car 
ried  in  the  haversack  or  tied  around  the  neck  ready  for  constant  use. 

Having  securely  tucked  away  in  the  corners,  or  sandwiched  in  between  his 
clothing,  these  most  important  and  useful  articles,  without  which  his  life  would  be 
at  the  mercy  of  the  enemy  and  the  elements,  he  commences  the  stuffing  and 
cramming  process  with  such  other  of  the  many  remaining  things  as  seem  to  him 
most  necessary  and  desirable,  as  follows : 

The  knife,  fork,  and  spoon  combination,  all  in  one  or  each  separate,  just  as 
required  for  transportation  or  use,  and  weighing  half  a  pound  or  more;  a  small 
dressing-case  of  hair  and  tooth  brushes,  comb,  looking-glass,  etc.  ;  a  pair  of 
buckram  leggins  to  keep  off  the  mud  and  dust  in  case  he  should  ever  have  to 
wear  the  bungling  army  shoes  that  he  has  just  drawn  but  given  away  as  useless 
to  him  (oh,  the  folly  of  ignorance  )  ;  a  portable  inkstand  and  writing  portfolio, 
with  paper,  pens,  and  pencils  therein  ;  presents  from  friends  and  relatives,  includ 
ing,  as  most  useful  of  all,  the  little  box,  bag,  or  bunch  of  every-day  wants, 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  393 

carefully  selected  and  put  up  by  the  hands  of  a  loving  mother  or  sister ;  and  last, 
but  not  least  in  the  opinion  of  our  young  hero,  a  revolver  and  dirk-knife,  with 
which  to  fight  the  "  Black  Horse  Cavalry"  and  "  Louisiana  Tigers." 

Now  he  is  loaded  up,  ready  and  listening  for  the  bugle-call  "  Fall  In  "-  —  a  call 
that  he  will  better  understand  the  meaning  of  before  long  —  let  us  anticipate 
enough  to  cast  a  pitying  glance  ahead  where  we  can  see  our  resolute  and  ambi 
tious  expounder  of  common  sense  theories,  so  strong  and  hopeful  at  the  start-out, 
but  now  puffing,  sweating,  and  chafing,  and  a  little  later  bending,  staggering,  and 
cursing  beneath  a  load  heavy  enough  to  discourage  an  average  sized  mule. 

It  is  now  a  case  of  experience  versus  theory,  and  our  raw  recruit,  as 
defendant,  soon  finds  the  verdict  against  him  without  recommendation  for  mercy 
or  benefit  of  clergy. 

More  than  one  stout-framed  and  strong-muscled  volunteer  of  the  Twelfth,  who 
had  been  used  to  hard,  heavy  work  upon  the  farm,  and  in  the  logging  swamp, 
found  himself  woefully  deceived  in  the  estimate  of  his  ability  to  carry  on  the 
march,  in  addition  to  his  gun  and  equipments,  three  or  four  days'  rations,  and 
forty  or  sixty  rounds  of  cartridges,  a  knapsack  filled  to  strap-length  capacity  with 
things  as  above  scheduled,  and  surmounted  with  a  big  rubber  and  woolen 
blanket  roll.  What  were  thirty  or  forty  pounds  squarely  resting  and  securely 
strapped  upon  a  pair  of  shoulders,  either  one  of  which  had  often  carried  three  or 
four  times  that  weight?  Why  he  could  "tote"  that  all  day,  rain  or  shine,  with 
a  little  "  nigger"  boy  perched  on  top  the  blanket  roll  to  carry  an  umbrella.  But 
time  and  distance,  two  important  factors  in  the  problem,  he  had  not  sufficiently- 
considered  in  his  calculations ;  nor  had  it  been  demonstrated  to  him  by  the  con 
vincing  logic  of  test  trial,  that 

Though  the  morning  pack  is  easy  and  light, 

Woe,  woe  to  the  back  before  it  comes  night ; 

For  the  soft  and  the  light,  ere  the  long  clay  has  sped, 

Will  grow  hard  as  a  rock,  and  as  heavy  as  lead. 


How  HE  WAS  MUSTERED  IN. 

Howard  Taylor,  the  "  Little  Corporal,"  of  Company  C,  had,  from  the 
first  news  from  Sumter,  felt  an  irrepressible  desire  to  enlist,  and  so,  when 
the  company  was  raised  from  among  his  neighbors  and  acquaintances, 
notwithstanding  his  youth  and  smallness  of  stature,  he  was  bound  not  only 
to  enlist  but  to  go  —  so  far  and  fast,  at  least,  as  his  short  legs  would  carry 
him. 

Having  boldly  written  his  name  on  the  enlisting  paper,  and  taken  the  oath  of 
allegiance,  the  next  thing  was  to  pass  examination  and  muster.  Happily  Doctor 
Fowler  was  examining  surgeon,  and  upon  him  he  soon  found  he  could  rely,  not 
only  for  safe  passport  under  his  hand  but  for  aid  and  assistance  in  running  safely 
past  the  second  and  greater  clanger,  the  final  inspection  of  the  mustering  officer. 
To  do  this  successfully  a  pair  of  shoes  was  made  for  him,  big  enough  to  admit  of 
extra  inner  soles,  an  inch  or  more  in  thickness,  which  with  height  of  heels  and 


394  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

thickness  of  taps  outside  to  correspond,  was  sufficient  to  stilt  him  up  two  or  three 
inches  beyond  his  natural  perpendicular.  Thus  toed  and  heeled,  with  pant  legs 
long  enough  to  cover,  he  walked  resolutely  up  the  company  front  from  his  place 
on  the  extreme  left,  faced  and  saluted  like  a  West  Point  cadet,  and  passed, 
unchallenged,  into  the  service  of  his  country.  His  record  there,  as  seen  by  the 
sketch  of  his  life,  was  second  to  none,  and  reminds  one  of  the  lines  attributed  to 
Doctor  Watts : 

"  If  I  could  reach  from  pole  to  pole, 
And  grasp  creation  in  my  span, 
Still  I  'd  be  measured  by  my  soul, 
The  mind  \s  the  standard  of  the  man." 


THE  AWKWARD  SQUAD. 

The  whole  regiment  was  little  better  than  a  large,  green,  awkward 
squad,  while  its  camp  was  on  the  pitch-pine  and  huckleberry  plains  of 
Concord.  But  while  every  green  soldier  will  be  necessarily  more  or  less 
awkward  in  his  movements,  it  does  by  no  means  follow,  as  the  sequel  will 
show,  that  every  one  who  is  awkward  must  be  green.  Though  "  prac 
tice  makes  perfect"  the  amount  required  varies  largely  according  to  sub 
ject  and  circumstances.  Some  are  quick  to  learn  and  some  slow  ;  and 
while,  as  a  rule,  the  latter  are  slower  and  more  bungling  in  their  motions 
and  acts,  the  body  being  but  an  outgrowth  of  the  mind,  yet  some  are 
awkward  in  every  physical  movement  whose  minds  are  exactly  the 
reverse,  quick  to  grasp  and  keen  to  penetrate,  and  many  awkward  youth 
of  the  army  are  to-day  among  our  most  honored  and  successful  business 
and  professional  men  in  the  country. 

Every  captain  will  remember  half  a  do/en  or  more  of  his  men  who  gave  him 
more  trouble  when  first  drilling  his  newly  enlisted  company  than  all  the  rest. 
In  forming  his  company  they  were  quite  sure  to  make  just  so  many  saw  teeth  in 
the  line,  one  out  and  another  in,  and  it  seemed  almost  impossible  to  get  them 
into  proper  position,  whether  the  order  was  right  or  left  dress.  "Eyes  right" 
to  the  rest  was  sufficient,  but  their  eyes  were  always  "out  of  squint"  from  three 
to  eight  inches,  according  to  their  distance  from  the  established  guide.  They 
would  be  equally  as  awkward  and  blundering  in  learning  to  properly  execute 
other  orders,  and  it  often  became  necessary  to  select  a  few  of  the. most  intractable 
ones  and  give  them  rigid  drill  discipline  by  themselves,  and  these  constituted 
what  was  called  the  "awkward  squad."  Sometimes  an  officer  or  sergeant  as 
green  and  awkward  as  the  men  would  purposely  be  requested  to  drill  them,  and 
then  there  was  fun  for  all.  Gradually,  however,  they  would  learn  to  conform 
with  their  brother  comrades,  in  line  and  evolutions,  until  but  one  or  two  were  left 
to  bother.  But  these  would  usually  hold  out  much  longer  than  the  patience  of 
their  instructor;  and  then,  from  the  latter,  there  would  too  often  come  harsh 
words  and  abusive  epithets,  mixed  up  perhaps  with  more  or  less  violation  of  the 
third  commandment,  all  of  which  would  be  borne  with  submissive  silence  or  a 
muttering  grumble  audible  only  to  their  nearest  comrades. 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  395 

But  though  he  who  is  slow  to  perceive,  is  generally  slow  to  resent,  yet  when 
once  aroused  to  anger  he  is  equally  slow  to  forget ;  and  the  officer  did  not  often 
fail  to  get  paid  back,  sooner  or  later,  with  compound  interest  from  date.  But 
sometimes  it  was  "  cash  on  delivery"  ;  as  when  Lieutenant  -  — ,  of  Company 
— ,  had  roundly  abused  one  of  these  moderate  and  careless  fellows,  whom  he 
was  drilling  in  the  manual  of  arms,  the  soldier  suddenly  brought  his  gun  to  an 
order,  and  looking  the  officer  squarely  in  the  face,  calmly  said  to  him  :  "  Do  you 
think,  sir,  that  your  language  ivill  make  me  any  the  less  awkward,  or  you 
any  more  dignifed  and  respected?"  It  was  a  deadly  shot,  for  it  pierced  the 
heart. 


His  LAST  INSPECTION. 

"  It  touched  the  temper  of  his  pride, 
And  stung  his  soul  to  madness." 

Another  incident,  of  which  the  writer  is  reminded  by  the  last,  may  as 
well  be  related  here,  although  more  properly  belonging  to  a  later  page 
of  this  chapter. 

At  one  of  the  weekly  inspections,  which  generally  came  on  Sunday,  one  of 
the  men  of  Company  B,  who  was  then  acting  as  cook,  was  unexpectedly 
ordered  into  line  one  morning,  at  Ilillsborough,  Va.,  in  rather  a  smutty  and 
greasy  condition.  lie  had  not  supposed  the  cooks  would  have  to  go  out  on 
inspection,  and  his  gun,  therefore,  was  about  as  dirty  looking  as  its  owner.  He 
pleaded  for  an  excuse  or  more  time  to  prepare,  but  the  order  was  imperative  for 
"  every  man  out,"  and  he  must  immediately  appear  in  his  company  line.  He 
did  so;  but  knowing  the  severe  strictness  and  quick  temper  of  the  lieutenant- 
colonel,  who  was  to  inspect  them,  he  trembled  for  the  result.  When  the  colonel 
came  to  him,  without  asking  a  question  or  stopping  for  an  explanation,  he  took 
the  soldier  by  the  collar,  stepped  him  a  pace  or  two  to  the  front,  where  the  whole 
regiment  could  see  him,  and  told  him  to  stand  there  until  further  orders.  When 
the  inspection  was  through,  and  the  companies  marched  back  to  their  quarters, 
he,  in  obedience  to  the  special  order,  still  remained  standing  where  he  had  been 
placed.  Long  he  stood  and  seriously  he  reflected.  With  some  it  would  have 
been  considered  good  luck  to  get  off  so  easily,  but  not  so  with  him.  Naturally 
as  proud  as  he  was  sensitive,  to  be  thus  exposed  to  the  ridicule  and  reproach  of 
his  comrades  stung  him  to  his  vital  centre,  and  he  could  not  bear,  much  less  for 
give,  the  wrong.  Judging  from  his  appearance,  the  colonel  had  supposed  him 
nearly  void  of  pride  or  shame,  but  so  greatly  had  he  mistaken  the  elements  of 
the  man,  that  in  his  well  meant  effort  to  rekindle,  the  flint-struck  spark  had 
touched  powder  instead  of  punk  wood,  and  caused  an  explosion,  the  results  of 
which  were  as  lasting  as  they  were  sudden.  At  last,  no  one  coming  near,  the 
soldier  dismissed  himself  and  returned  to  his  quarters;  but  not  until  the  bad  but 
unalterable  resolve  had  been  made.  As  with  sad  but  stern  features  he  appeared 
among  his  comrades,  one  of  them,  who  knew  his  keenly  tempered  spirit, 
remarked  to  another:  "When  morning  comes  there  will  be  one  less  of  us  to 


39^  History  of  the  T^vclfth  Regiment 

answer  to  the  roll-call."  "What  do  you  mean,"  replied  the  latter,  "have  you 
had  a  presentiment?"  "Yes;  not  of  death,  however,  but  desertion."  The 
morning  came  and  verified  the  prediction  ! 


HALT  ! 

There  were  times  when  the  private's  power  and  authority  were  supreme 
and  his  orders  had  to  be  obeyed,  not  only  by  the  colonel  of  his  regiment, 
but  even  by  the  commanding  general  of  the  army.  When  the  soldier 
was  on  guard,  he  was  master  of  the  situation,  and  it  was  dangerous  to 
disobey  his  commands,  as  more  than  one  officer  of  the  Twelfth  learned  to 
his  great  mortification,  if  not  sorrow,  and  sometimes  both.  It  did  not 
take  the  average  volunteer  of  the  army,  who  carried  the  musket,  so  long, 
as  a  general  rule,  to  understand  his  business  as  it  did  the  officers  ;  not 
wholly  because  he  had  less  to  learn,  but  frequently  because  he  was  the 
better  scholar.  Nor  were  the  men  of  the  ranks  slow7  in  "  sizing  up  ''the 
officers,  gauging  their  mental  calibre,  testing  their  temper  and  disposition, 
and  learning  their  peculiar  traits  of  character ;  and  those  naturally 
inclined  to  be  too  pompous,  arrogant,  or  superofficious  were,  sooner  or 
later,  pretty  sure  to  receive  at  their  hands  a  wholesome,  and  sometimes 
severe,  discipline.  It  was  then  that  the  officer  had  a  chance  to  learn  the 
spirit,  and  test  the  mettle  of  his  men,  and  if  not  too  big  a  fool  to  learn  by 
experience,  which  was  sometimes  the  case,  one  lesson  was  sufficient. 

The  foregoing  is  well  illustrated  by  the  following  : 

More  for  instruction  than  from  necessitv guard  had  heen  established  at  "Camp 
Belknap"  for  a  few  days,  when  one  of  the  above  described  officers,  who  had  been 
over  to  the  city  on  his  prancing  steed  to  show  himself,  came  riding  up,  like 
another  Alexander  mounted  on  his  fiery  Bucephalus,  and  was  about  to  enter  the 
camp,  when  the  soldier  on  guard  at  the  gate  ordered  him  to  halt  I  Stung  with 
madness  at  the  audacious  impudence  of  a  private  soldier,  who  should  thus  dare 
to  so  far  insult  his  official  dignity  as  to  question  or  dispute  his  right  to  go  when 
and  where  he  pleased,  he  put  spurs  to  his  horse,  intending  to  ride  over  the  guard 
and  so  punish  him  for  his  insolence,  and  assert  his  own  power  and  authority  by 
one  bold,  brave,  and  heroic  act!  But  the  hero  was  on  the  ground  instead  of  on 
the  horse,  and  quickly  bringing  his  musket  to  a  cavalry  guard,  the  point  of  the 
bayonet  was  buried  in  the  horse's  breast,  and  with  a  rearing  plunge  the  wounded 
animal  dashed  away,  leaving  his  rider  sprawling  on  the  ground  at  the  soldier's 
feet.  With  a  volley  of  commingled  oaths  and  groans,  and  in  a  manner  much 
more  ludicrous  than  dignified  —  the  latter  quality  being  now  at  a  sad  discount  — 
the  officer  soon  found  his  perpendicular  again,  but  was  at  once  told  to  shut  and 
stand,  without  another  word  or  step,  unless  he  wanted  what  he  ought  to  have  had 
instead  of  the  horse,  and  which  a  glance  at  the  face  of  the  guard  told  him  he 
would  get  if  lie  made  another  motion  of  tongue  or  foot.  As  he  stood  there, 
waiting  for  the  sergeant  of  the  guard  to  release  him,  he  would  have  made  a 
picture  in  striking  contrast  with  one  of  himself  a  few  moments  before. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  397 

The  after  history  of  this  officer  and  man  was  what  might  have  been 
expected  from  the  incident  related.  One  soon  went  home  in  disgrace, 
for  cowardice  in  the  presence  of  the  enemy,  while  the  other  proved  one 
of  the  truest  and  bravest  men  of  the  regiment,  and  received  six  or  seven 
wounds  in  the  defense  of  his  country. 

Brave  to  resent  a  slight  offence, 
Shows  little  courage  or  common  sense  ; 
But  he,  who  has  a  lion's  heart. 
Will  always  stick  to  duty's  part. 


SLIGHTLY  PREVIOUS. 

He  proved  to  be  a  good  and  trusty  soldier  of  Company  G,  but  as  yet 
he  was  a  mere  tyro  in  the  military  camp,  when  seeing  Colonel  Potter 
about  to  cross  his  beat  one  day  at  Arlington  Heights  cried  :  "  Halt !  halt ! 
halt !  You  can't  pass  here  without  saying  '  Concord.'  " 

This,  for  the  time  being,  took  the  regular  army  discipline  all  out  of  the 
colonel,  and  it  was  some  time  before  he  could  command  his  own  counte 
nance  sufficiently  well  to  inform  the  guard  that  he  was  put  there  to 
receive  and  not  give  the  countersign. 


SET  HIM  UP  IN  THE  BOOT  AND  SHOE  BUSINESS. 

While  encamped  at  or  near  Waterloo,  Va.,  a  southern  citizen  came 
into  camp,  and  commenced  buying  up  all  the  shoes  and  boots  he  could  per 
suade  the  boys  to  sell  by  offering  prices  for  those  half  worn  out  consider 
ably  above  the  quartermaster's  charges  for  new  ones.  But  the  attempt  to 
thus  furnish  a  supply  for  the  rebel  troops  did  not  prove  pleasant  nor  prof 
itable  ;  for  no  sooner  was  the  knowledge  thereof  made  known  to  Colonel 
Marsh,  than  the  boot  and  shoe  contractor  was  booted  out  of  camp  by  that 
irate  officer,  leaving  all  his  booty  and  money  already  paid  therefor  behind 
him.  "Served  him  right."  "  Wa'  n't  he  a  cheeky  cuss  !"  "Guess  he 
won't  want  any  more  Yankee  gaiters  (what  the  colonel  had  on  that  day) 
very  soon."  "You're  right  he  won't,  unless  someone  beside  the  colonel 
makes  delivery."  "  Well,  why  should  he,  for  did  n't  he  get  right  smart 
of '  um  '  this  time?  "  And  thus  the  joke  and  fun  went  around,  all  the  bet 
ter  appreciated  by  those  who  not  only  regained  their  shoes  and  boots,  but 
retained  their  money. 

ADDING  INSULT  TO  INJURY. 

As  a  sequel  to  the  sheep  story  related  on  pages  33  and  34,  and  at  the 
same  time  the  best  and  meanest  part  of  it,  according  to  the  light  in  which 
it  is  viewed,  appears  here  the  following  illustration  of  Yankee  "  cheek" 
and  impudence  : 


398  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

A  day  or  to  after  the  old  Virginia  farmer  had  hunted  in  vain  for  his  lost  sheep 
that  he  was  sure  had  been  "  gobbled  up  "  by  the  Twelfth  boys,  one  of  them 
(the  boys,  not  the  sheep)  by  the  name  of  Ben  Thompson,  (whose  eyes,  when 
not  asleep  —  and  he  was  not  often  caught  napping  —  were  always  wide  open  on 
the  inside  behind,  where  the  optic  nerve  spreads,  though  much  of  the  time  dur 
ing  the  day  more  than  half  shut  on  the  outside  in  front,  where  the  fringed  eye 
lid  curtains  assisted  him  to  "play  'possum"  when  occasion  required,)  gathered  up 
the  pelts,  that  he  knew  better  where  to  find  than  the  farmer  did,  carried  them 
over  to  the  farmer's  house  and  tried  to  sell  them  to  him,  offering  to  take  Confed 
erate  money  for  them  at  the  low  price  of  one  hundred  dollars  per  pelt.  This 
was  about  an  equal  thing  in  surface  measure,  but  Ben  thought,  as  he  told  the 
farmer,  that  the  bare  skins  were  worth  much  more  than  the  paper,  and  that  he 
really  ought  to  have  more,  for  by  an  equal  exchange  of  square  inches  the  latter 
would  be  getting  the  wool,  which  was  more  than  half  grown,  for  nothing. 

This,  considering  the  circumstances,  was  rather  a  cruel  joke  to  play  upon  an 
enemy  even.  But  the  dividing  line  between  mcum  et  tuum  often  takes  a  devious 
and  tortuous  course,  especially  in  times  of  war.  As  may  be  guessed,  Ben's 
bargain  btistcd. 


CHICKENS  FOR  BREAKFAST. 

The  following  adventure  of  three  of  the  "  boys,"*  of  Company  F, 
occurred  on  the  march  to  Falmouth,  Va.  : 

"Now  just  wait  until  it  gets  dark  enough  and  we'll  see  what  can  be  done 
toward  a  chicken  breakfast." 

"  Found  out  where  they  roost?  " 

"  You  bet  I  have." 

"  Well,  I'm  with  ye  tent-mate,  provost  guard,  bloodhounds,  and  shot  guns  to 
the  contrary  notwithstanding." 

"  Bully  for  you,  John,  and  we're  not  reckoning  our  chickens  before  they're 
hatched  neither,  for  these  are  full  grown,  plump,  and  fat,  or  I  'm  no  judge  of 
rebel  poultry." 

The  first  speaker  had  just  come  in  from  gathering  dry  sticks  to  kindle  a  fire  to 
make  their  coffee  and  roast  their  salt  pork,  after  halting  for  the  night;  and  while 
doing  so  had  made  —  not  altogether  accidentally  —  the  glad  discovery  above 
referred  to,  —  for  the  boys  had  learned  ere  this  to  have  an  eye  to  the  windward, 
even  while  they  were  marching  leeward. 

So,  soon  after  dark,  our  two  chicken-hungry  amateurs  of  the  line,  with  one 
more,  who  was  taken  in  as  a  silent  partner,  set  out  on  a  Christian  commission  of 
their  own,  determined  on  securing  a  little  appeti/ing  broth  for  suffering  human 
ity.  Arriving  near  the  farmhouse,  they  approach  cautiously  ;  but  finding  all 
quiet  they  enter  one  of  the  outer  hovels  within  which  the  innocent  and  unsus 
pecting  biddies  roosted.  According  to  the  plan  of  attack,  two  of  them  enter, 
while  the  third  stands  guard  to  give  the  alarm,  if  there  seems  to  be  any  danger 
of  being  either  '•'•cooped'1''  or  '•'•gobbled  up"  themselves.  Mounting  into  the 
loft,  one  of  them  commences  grabbing,  wringing,  and  handing  down  to  his  com- 
*B.  M.  Tilton,  John  Hillsgrove,  and  James  Farley. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  399 

patiion,  not,  however,  without  eliciting  a  loud  protesting  squawk  from  one  of 
his  victims  before  the  fatal  neck  twist  could  be  given. 

Half  a  do/en  or  more  arc  thus  disposed  of  when,  fearing  it  unsafe  to  remain 
longer  after  the  warning  note  had  been  sounded,  he  whispered  to  John,  if  he 
had  not  got  about  enough. 

"Yes,  I  reckon  so,"  comes  up  the  half  audible  reply,  and  so  after  handing 
down  one  or  two  more,  he  gets  quickly  and  noiselessly  down  himself  and  starts 
for  the  door,  out  of  which  he  went  unexpectedly  sudden  by  the  aid  of  a  sweep 
ing  blow  from  a  hand-spike,  stake,  or  something  of  the  kind  aimed  evidently  to 
kill  but  fortunately  only  grazing  the  back  of  his  head  and  falling  upon  his  shoul 
ders  with  sufficient  force  to  laud  him  on  his  hands  and  knees  several  feet  from 
the  door.  Bounding  like  a  bat-ball,  he  finds  his  legs  under  him  again,  just  in 
time  to  evade  another  blow  from  the  irate  owner  of  the  premises,  who  unknown 
to  our  hero  had  taken  John's  place  to  receive  the  chickens,  while  John  and  Jim 
had  got  wind  of  danger  just  soon  enough  to  save  themselves  but  without  time  to 
warn  their  comrade,  who  was  thus  left  to  his  fate.  Our  trio  had  chickens, 
indeed,  for  breakfast,  but  one  of  them  (  the  boys,  not  the  chickens  )  sucked  the 
broth  for  his  share,  it  hurt  him  so  to  chew. 


THE  PEDDLER  —  A  SPY. 

During  the  winter  of  1862  —63  a  man  got  permission  to  go  through  the 
camps  and  peddle  maps.  He  purported  to  come  from  some  place  in  the 
North  and  so  far  as  is  known  by  the  writer  was  never  seriously  sus 
pected  of  being  other  than  what  he  professed  and  appeared  to  be.  After 
the  battle  of  Gettysburg  he  was  apprehended,  tried,  and  executed  as  a 
rebel  spy.  Several  of  the  Twelfth  boys  who  saw  him  at  the  time  of 
execution  recognized  him  as  the  same  man. 


WHO  STOLE  THE  COLONEL'S  BEANS? 

This  was  the  question,  ofttimes  accompanied  by  a  knowing  wink,  that 
went  the  rounds  among  the  boys  for  a  long  time  after  the  march  to  Fal- 
mouth,  and  which  we  have  often  heard  significantly  put  and  knowingly 
answered  by  some  of  the  drum  corps  boys  since  the  days  when  they  were 
under  military  jurisdiction.  The  colonel  of  course  never  doubted  but  it 
was  some  nocturnal  poacher  from  another  regiment  (  for  certainly  none 
of  his  boys  would  be  guilty  of  such  a  grave  misdemeanor),  unless,  at 
some  reunion  after  the  war,  upon  hearing  the  dinner-call  beat,  he  was 
reminded  of  his  long  before  Sunday  morning  breakfast  "without  beans, 
and  chanced  to  look  over  his  glasses  in  the  right  direction.  If  the  receiver 
is  as  bad  as  the  thief,  some  that  are  still  living  are,  we  fear,  not  entirely 
guiltless. 


400  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

A  NARROW  ESCAPE. 

FIFTY    MILES'    TRAMP    WITHIN    THE    ENEMY'S    LINES. 

When  the  regiment  left  Waterloo,  Va.,  there  were  more  sick  ones  than 
could  be  carried  in  the  ambulances,  and  some  of  these  were  allowed  to 
ride  on  the  baggage  wagons,  while  others  had  to  walk  and  get  along  as 
best  they  could.  Among  the  last  was  Harlan  Paige,  of  Company  B, 
who  was  sick  with  jaundice,  and  being  unable  to  keep  up,  W.  H. 
Sleeper,  of  the  same  company,  was  detailed  to  help  him  along,  and  look 
after  him  if  he  should  grow  worse  and  have  to  stop. 

The  following  account  of  their  adventures  by  Paige  is  here  given  : 

We  only  made  about  two  miles  the  first  day,  and  at  night  found  quarters  in  a 
deserted  negro  shanty.  The  next  morning,  upon  going  to  the  door,  we  saw  just 
across  the  road  five  rebel  cavalrymen  who  at  the  same  time  saw  us ;  but  just  then 
a  squad  of  our  own  cavalry  came  dashing  up  the  road,  and  the  five  retired  to 
their  support.  A  brisk  skirmish  ensued,  during  which  the  two  boys  made  off  as 
fast  as  they  could. 

That  night  we  were  passed  by  our  cavalry  before  reaching  Warrington,  and 
the  rebel  advance,  close  following  up  our  army,  were  soon  again  in  sight.  The 
next  morning  we  were  met  by  Captain  Fowler,  of  Company  C,  who  was  going 
back  to  bury  Edward  Pratt,  of  his  company,  who  had  died  of  disease  the  day 
before.  We  called  his  attention  to  the  danger  of  so  doing,  telling  him  he  would 
surely  be  captured.  He  could  not  believe  that  rebel  soldiers  were  so  closely  fol 
lowing  until  he  found  himself  a  prisoner  in  their  hands.  Each  day  the  rear 
guard  of  our  army  was  skirmishing  with  the  enemy;  and  several  times  we  were 
passed  by  our  cavalry  who  told  us  we  should  surely  be  picked  up  by  the  rebel 
cavalry  as  it  seemed  we  must,  for  we  would  then  be  left  between  the  two  lines 
with  the  rebel  forces  often  in  sight.  After  passing  Catlett's  Station,  we  saw  no 
more  of  our  army,  but  Stewart's  cavalry  was  all  around  us,  and  we  had  to  use 
the  greatest  diligence  to  escape  capture.  In  just  one  week  we  arrived  at  Bull 
Run  where  we  found  our  forces  guarding  the  bridge,  and  from  whom  we  learned 
that  seventy-two  of  our  men  had  come  in  before  them,  but  all  as  paroled  prison 
ers.  Here  we  received  transportation  to  Alexandria.  I  was  now  nearly  well, 
but  Sleeper  was  sick  with  chronic  diarrhoea,  and  was  admitted  to  Baptist  Church 
Hospital  where  he  died  in  a  few  weeks.  My  experience  of  that  week  was  the 
most  trying  of  any  I  went  through  during  the  war.  But  the  saddest  of  all  was, 
that  he  who  had  so  faithfully  nursed  and  watched  over  me  when  sick,  should  so 
soon  sicken  and  die  himself. 


THE  BITTER  WITH  THE  SWEET. 

Many  of  the  Virginia  farmers,  living  on  the  route  that  the  army  took 
from  Berlin  to  Falmouth,  kept  bees,  and  many  were  the  stirring  remon 
strances  and  stinging  rebukes  made  by  the  bees  and  received  by  the  boys 
who  tried  to  capture  them. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  401 

Most  every  company  had  two  or  three  old  bee  hunters  in  it,  who  were 
constantly  on  the  lookout  for  something  sweet,  and  sometimes  they  got 
it  from  the  bees,  without  getting  any  honey  from  the  hive. 

One  of  these  watchful  ones,  sitting  by  his  tent  one  warm  day,  soon  after  encamp 
ing  at  Falmouth,  and  seeing  a  honey-bee  light  near  by  him,  concluded  to  try  and 
ascertain  the  direction  of  his  "  home-line,"  and,  if  successful,  to  follow  it  up  to 
its  headquarters.  So  he  carefully  caught  it  in  his  tin  dipper  and  giving  it  an 
extra  ration  of  brown  sugar  released  his  captive  and  watched  its  flight. 

Two  or  three  hours  later  he  had  found  its  forest-tree  habitation,  and  with  the 
assistance  of  two  comrades,  he  soon  was  in  possession  of  quite  a  bountiful  supply 
of  honey. 

Another  sweet-toothed  member  of  Company  D  was  so  fond  of  the  apiarian 
extract  of  southern  plants  and  flowers  that  he  stole  a  hive  of  bees  and  carried 
hive,  bees,  honey,  and  all  on  his  back  for  several  miles,  before  the  regiment 
halted  for  the  night  and  gave  him  a  chance  to  enjoy  the  fun  and  pleasure  of  smok 
ing  out  the  bees  and  eating  the  honey. 

But  usually  the  honey  hunters  waited  until  the  farmer  and  his  bees  were  too 
tired  and  sleepy  to  be  on  guard  before  venturing  to  load  up.  Even  then,  however, 
there  was  sometimes  more  run  than  fun  in  the  business,  as  the  following  experi 
ence  of  one  of  Company  A's  foraging  heroes  will  plainly  show. 

He  had  marked  with  his  eye,  as  he  marched  by,  a  farmhouse  near  which  were 
several  gum-tree  bee-hives.  The  regiment  going  into  camp  but  a  short  distance 
beyond,  gave  him  a  good  opportunity  to  fulfill  his  part  of  a  contract  with  his 
tent-mate,  that  if  the  latter  would  pitch  tent  and  get  supper,  he  would  bring  in  a 
most  delicious  dessert.  So  before  the  camp  guard  was  posted  he  was  taking 
back  tracks  toward  the  farmhouse,  lingering  a  little  for  the  twilight  to  fade  before 
venturing  to  approach  it.  But  impatient  to  join  his  comrade  in  a  luscious  lunch 
of  hard-tack  and  honey  by  the  time  the  coffee  was  ready  to  wash  it  down,  he  was, 
perhaps,  a  little  bolder  than  the  semi-darkness  would  warrant ;  for  no  sooner  did 
he  grab  a  "bee-gum"  and  start  for  camp,  than  the  watchful  farmer  grabbed  his 
gun  and  started  for  him  ! 

At  first  he  clung  to  his  prize,  for  the  very  weight  that  impeded  his  progress 
convinced  him  of  its  value.  But  when  a  bullet  whizzed  by  his  head,  followed  by 
the  sound  of  rapid  footsteps  in  the  rear,  he  concluded  to  lighten  up  and  let  out, 
lest  a  gun-breach  or  a  butcher  knife  might  accomplish  what  the  bullet  had  failed 
to.  It  was  now  a  race  between  fear  and  revenge  for  a  short  distance,  _but  the 
former  was  the  swifter  footed,  and  in  a  few  minutes  our  Company  A  man  was 
sitting  by  his  own  camp-fire  and  explaining  to  his  comrade,  as  they  drank  their 
unsweetened  coffee,  his  experimental  proof,  that  though 

"  Stolen  sweets  are  always  sweeter,11 
yet  life  is  the  sweetest  of  all. 


"CAMP  CORPORAL." 

The  following  is  a  description  of  one  of  the  first  company  quarters  built 
at  Falmouth  on  the  camping  ground  of  the  Twelfth.*     It  was  constructed 

26  *  Sec  page  37. 


402  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

by  Corporals  Clarke,  Lane,  and  Whittier,  of  Company  G,  and  named  by 
them  "  Camp  Corporal."     Corporal  Clarke  in  a  letter  to  his  wife  says: 

We  laid  it  out  seven  feet  square  and  built  it  up  three  feet  from  the  ground  with 
pine  sticks  or  small  logs,  and  in  one  end — the  front,  next  to  the  street  —  we  built 
a  fireplace,  projecting  out  the  sixe  of  it,  in  true  southern  style,  and  opening  into 
our  room,  which  is  a  kitchen,  dining,  sitting,  and  bed  room,  parlor,  cellar, 
chamber,  and  attic,  all  in  one.  The  fireplace  is  about  three  feet  wide,  and  two 
and  a  half  feet  high  in  front,  and  then  commences  the  chimney,  tapering  in  as  it 
goes  up  four  or  five  feet  above  the  ridge-pole  and  is  topped  out  with  a  barrel. 
The  chimney  takes  up  about  half  of  the  front  end,  and  the  other  half  is  left 
open  for  a  door.  After  logging  up  three  feet  high  all  round,  except  the  doorway, 
we  put  on  the  ridge-pole  and  cover  with  our  shelter-tents  for  a  roof. 

Next  we  take  the  clay  mud,  of  which  there  is  no  stint  here,  and  chink  up  the 
crevices  in  the  log  walls  and  plaster  up  our  chimney.  Our  three  rubber  blankets 
answer  well  for  the  two  gable  ends  and  a  door  and  our  house  is  completed. 

Our  bedstead  is  a  rack  of  limber  poles,  covered  with  cedar  boughs  for  a  feather 
bed,  and  our  woolen  blankets  and  overcoats  answer  for  sheets  and  coverlids. 
We  sleep  feet  to  the  fire,  and  sleep  warm.  We  have  got  the  best  house  in  the 
camp,  they  all  say ;  lots  of  the  boys  and  officers  have  come  to  look  at  it.  General 
Whipple  stopped  and  looked  us  over,  as  he  was  riding  past  the  other  day,  and  I 
have  heard  that  he  suggested  to  Colonel  Potter  that  others  take  pattern  by  us. 
I  am  writing  this  by  the  light  of  our  fireplace. 


"TAii.  END  Tu." 

One  day,  while  Colonel  Potter  was  standing  outside  his  tent  and  looking 
over  his  glasses  for  the  return  of  an  orderly,  whom  he  had  sent  after  his 
horse,  he  noticed  a  queer  looking  specimen  of  the  genus  /tomo,  dressed  in 
a  semi-military  costume,  sauntering  across  the  parade  ground  in  that  lazy, 
careless  gait  that  bespeaks  anything  but  the  trained  soldier. 

Having  several  times  before  noticed  the  same  fellow  hanging  around 
the  camp,  the  Colonel  determined  to  "interview"  him.  So,  getting  into 
his  saddle,  he  rode  up  to  the  man  and  something  like  the  following  col 
loquy  occurred  : 

"  Who  are  you,  sir,  and  to  what  company  do  you  belong?" 

"  W-a-1-1,  Colonel,  to  answer  yer  last  question  fust,  so  I  sha' n't  forgit  and  git 
mixed  up,  I  don't  exactly  belong  to  any  company  jest  neow,  but  kinder  go  it  alone, 
yer  see !  though  before  this  ere  pesky  war  split  us,  we  used  to  hang  out  as  Ben 
Thompson  &  Co." 

"I  perceive,  sir,  you  are  more  rogue  than  fool,  and  — " 

"Thank  yer,  Colonel,  for  the  compliment,  but  —  " 

"  But  ivhai,  sir?  I  want  to  know  what  your  business  is  out  here,  and  what  you 
are  hanging  round  in  this  way  for." 

"W-a-1-1,  yer  know,  Colonel,  a  good  coconut  will  chitter  when  yer  shake  it, 
but  yer  can't  git  the  milk  nor  meat  out  till  yer  crack  the  shell." 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  403 

The  Colonel  was  more  pleased  than  angered  by  this  shrewdly  evasive  reply, 
although  he  well  understood  the  hint  it  contained,  that  he  had  got  a  hard  nut  to 
crack.  But  not  wishing  to  compromise  his  official  dignity,  and  curious  to  know 
what  would  be  the  next  evasive  twist  of  the  fellow's  wit,  he  decided  to  hazard 
another  inquiry,  and  looking  as  sternly  as  he  could  into  the  comical  countenance 
of  the  enigmatical  Yankee,  said  : 

"  What  do  you  mean,  sir,  by  such  silly  subterfuge?  Do  you  want  me  to  order 
you  under  arrest,  as  an  idle  camp  follower  and  suspicious  character?" 

"Oh  no,  Colonel,  I  don't  want  any  orders  to  'rest  anybody,  though  I  jest  guess 
yer  right  about  these  ere  idle  camp  fellers  acting  mighty 'spicious !  I've  been 
watching  out  for  'em  with  one  eye,  myself.  And  that 's  the  reason,  yer  see, 
Colonel,  that  I  can't  train  in  their  company  ;  for  there's  nothing  'spicious  or  speck 
led  'bout  me,  but  I  'm  jest  as  full  of  fun  as  two  kittens  and  a  fiddle." 

The  Colonel's  sober-faced  gravity  was  severely  taxed,  and  he  slightly  touched 
the  spur  to  his  horse  to  hide  a  smile  that  was  forcing  itself  into  his  mouth  and  eyes. 
As  he  turned  his  horse  round,  he  at  first  thought  he  would  ride  oft' and  leave  his 
antagonist  master  of  the  situation  ;  but  hating  to  be  so  ludicrously  driven  from  the 
field,  he  again  faced  to  the  front,  and  once  more  imlimbering  his  tongue  battery 
gave  him  another,  and  the  last,  interrogatory  shot. 

"Will  you  answer  my  questions,  or  will  you  not,  sir?  I  give  you  one  more 
chance  to  explain  yourself  and  your  business  here." 

"  W-a-1-1  th-a-r,  Colonel,  since  yer  so  mighty  pertikeler  to  git  a  wee  sip  of  the 
coconut  milk,  I  '11  jest  tell  yer,  that  if  this  ere  regiment  should  happen  to  git 
turned  wrong  side  out  before  it  gits  through,  and  go  back  to  New  Hampshire  tail 
end  tu,  I  should  then  be  Colonel  instead  of  you." 


GOOD  EATERS  BUT  POOR  FIGHTERS. 

Plenty  of  lazy  and  worthless  fellows  were  found  in  every  new  regiment ; 
but  they  soon  weeded  themselves  out  of  the  ranks,  and  either  became 
"hospital  bummers"  or  got  their  discharge  from  the  service. 

"Seventy-five  for  rations  and  only  twenty-five  for  duty,"  as  Company  F 's  wit 
used  to  say  when  he  would  see  a  large  number  of  those  "fall  in"  at  the  dinner 
call,  who  two  or  three  hours  before  had,  also,  answered  the  surgeon's  call  and 
got  excused  from  duty.  And  it  was  somewhat  surprising  how  soon  a  dose  of 
quinine  and  whiskey  or  a  tonic  pill  would  create  an  appetite  for  a  good  plate  of 
pork  and  beans.  But  what  was  more  surprising  still,  how  the  disease  for  which 
they  would  daily  take  their  medicine,  and  the  appetite  which  demanded  a  full 
supply  of  hearty  rations  could  so  long  continue  mutual  friends  and  run  the  busi 
ness  together  as  joint  partners.  We  suppose,  however,  it  may  all  be  accounted 
for,  not  upon  any  theory  of  natural  affinity,  but  upon  the  fact  that  consumptives 
usually  have  voracious  appetites,  and  this  class  were  all  chronic  consumers  of 
"Uncle  Sam's"  time  and  money,  as  well  as  rations,  without  ever  returning  any 
equivalent  either  in  camp  or  on  the  field. 


404  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

RABBITS  AND  BLOODHOUNDS. 

The  following  comes  from  one  of  Company  G  boys,  who  was  so  tall 
and  slender  that  his  comrades  used  to  call  him  "  Lengthy" : 

One  night  while  at  Falmouth,  I  was  sent  outside  the  picket-line  to  keep  a  sharp 
eye  on  the  house  of  a  citizen  who  had  the  freedom  of  our  lines  and  was  suspected 
of  not  being  quite  as  loyal  as  he  professed  to  be. 

There  was  an  old  log  shanty  not  far  from  the  house,  and  here  I  thought  to  estab 
lish  my  headquarters  ;  but,  on  approaching  a  piece  of  woods  close  by,  I  could  hear 
in  the  stillness  of  the  night  ominous  sounds,  twigs  snapping,  and  leaves  rustling, 
as  if  someone  was  approaching.  No  one  coming  in  sight,  after  waiting  and 
watching  a  while  I  plucked  up  courage  to  reconnoitre  a  little,  and  found,  instead 
of  guerrillas,  t-wo  little,  innocent  jack-rabbits  at  play!  Returning,  I  could 
hear  noises  in  or  under  the  log  house,  and  was  sure  someone  was  there.  So,  with 
gun  all  ready  for  action,  I  crept  up  cautiously,  and  seeing  a  tobacco  cask  placed 
suspiciously  against  the  house,  I  gave  it  a  violent  kick,  when  out  sprang  a  big 
bloodhound,  or  a  kind  of  a  blood  and  thunder  one,  judging  by  the  way  he  roared 
and  frightened  me.  I  at  once  changed  my  headquarters. 


A  NEW  GENERAL. 

One  day  while  picketing  on  the  banks  of  the  Rappahannock,  J.  B. 
Leighton,  of  Company  G,  was  hailed  by  a  rebel  picket  across  the  river, 
and  asked  if  he  had  any  coffee. 

"Plenty  of  it,"  responded  Leighton,  "come  over  and  get  some." 

"Wish  I  could,"  replied  Johnny,  "but  I  tell  you  what  I  will  do,  Yank,  I'll 
exchange  a  cargo  of  the  weed  for  one  of  the  berry." 

"All  right,  rig  up  your  transport,  Johnny,  and  send  her  along." 

In  a  few  minutes  a  little  "dug-out,"  with  rudder  set  to  hold  it  against  the 
current  and  laden  with  a  twenty-ounce  plug  of  tobacco,  is  pushed  out  into  the 
stream  and  slowly  makes  its  way  toward  the  opposite  shore.  While  the  Federal 
picket  watches  its  diagonal  course  across  the  river,  the  witty  reb  again  shouts  to 
him:  "Oh  !  Yank,  did  you  know  we'uns  have  got  a  new  general?" 

"No,  who  is  it?" 

"  General  Starvation  by ." 

Company  G  man  took  the  hint,  and  when  the  transfer  boat  returned  it  carried, 
in  addition  to  the  coffee  barter,  a  big  chunk  of  pork  and  a  lot  of  "  hard-tack." 


LONG  ROLL. 

"And  being  thus  frightened,  swears  a  prayer  or  two 
And  sleeps  again.1' 

Although  it  was  a  long  roll  that  quickly  aroused  the  colonel,  it  did  nc 
reach  the  ears  of  the  rank  and  file  until  the  next  morning  when  "  Mother, 


JVew  Hampshire   Volunteers,  405 

as  the  boys  all  called  him,  was  joked  about  dreaming  of  an  attack  of  the 
rebel  cavalry,  and  trying  to  sound  the  alarm  by  using  his  legs  for  drum 
sticks  and  the  colonel's  head  for  a  drum. 

It  was  during  the  first  night's  bivouac  after  breaking  camp  for  Fredericksburg 
that  "Mother  Jones"  in  trying  to  keep  warm  —  for  the  night  was  bitterly  cold- 
got  himself,  in  some  way,  horizontal  to  the  plane  of  descent  and  rolled  for  some 
distance  down  over  the  steep,  fro/en  ground,  bringing  up  suddenly  against  the 
//£tf</-quarters  of  Colonel  Potter  himself,  who  being  thus  unceremoniously  dis 
turbed  in  his  slumbers,  remonstrated  in  regular  army  style  against  being  run  over 
by  his  own  men. 


INCIDENTS  OF  FREDEKICKSBURG. 

Corp.  Charles  E.  Moody,  of  Company  H,  with  Moulton,  Wilkinson,  and 
Lewis,  of  his  company,  were  placed  on  guard  over  a  house,  during  the 
battle  of  Fredericksburg,  in  which  was  a  sick  woman  who  could  not  be 
removed  when  the  city  was  bombarded.  They  would  have  been  left  and 
taken  prisoners  but  for  a  continued  muffled  sound  coming  to  them  from 
the  river,  near  which  they  were  stationed,  which,  upon  investigation,  they 
discovered  the  cause  of  just  in  time  to  join  the  rear  of  the  army  that  was 
hurrying  across  the  pontoon  bridges. 

A  minister's  wife  by  the  name  of  Stowe,  with  her  three  children, 
remained  in  the  city  all  through  the  battle,  although  the  house  they  staid 
in  was  struck  eight  times  with  solid  shot  or  shells,  and  one  passed  through 
the  underpinning  into  the  cellar,  directly  under  the  room  where  she  was 
sitting,  surrounded  by  her  frightened  children.  Yet,  strange  to  say,  not 
one  of  them  was  injured,  but  all  escaped  without  a  scratch  or  bruise. 
This  incident  was  told  to  Captain  Barker  by  Mrs.  Stowe,  herself,  on  the 
last  day  the  army  occupied  the  city.  It  was  learned  before  the  evacua 
tion,  that  several  civilians,  white  and  black,  remained  in  the  city  during 
the  battle,  screening  themselves  from  the  artillery  fire  of  the  two  armies  by 
getting  into  cellars,  cisterns,  etc.  Some  of  them  kept  secreted  after  the 
danger  was  over  fearing  the  "Yankee"  soldiers  would  kill  them  at  sight. 

One  of  the  Twelfth  stood  watching  a  soldier  of  another  regiment  who 
was  trying  to  milk  a  nervous  cow  that  he  had  found  in  one  of  the  stable 
yards,  and  was  about  to  offer  his  assistance,  in  hopes  to  get  a  little  milk 
himself  as  a  recompense,  when  a  shell  from  a  rebel  gun  so  suddenly 
started  the  rebellious  cow,  that  both  milk  and  milker  went  onto  the  ground, 
and  the  observer  another  place  soon  found. 


406  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

A  FRIGHTFUL  LEAP. 

Walter  Libbey,  one  of  the  drummer  boys,  who  was  about  as  heedless 
as  generous,  and  always  ready  to  make  sport  for  the  boys,  thought  one  day 
he  would  show  the  officers  a  specimen  of  General  Grant's  cadet  horseman 
ship.  So,  mounting  a  spirited  animal,  without  saddle  or  bridle,  he  gave  a 
Cornanche  yell,  which  so  frightened  the  horse  that  he  soon  changed  the 
would-be  Ulysses  into  a  veritable  John  Gilpin,  riding  at  a  break-heck 
speed  up  the  length  of  the  parade  ground,  and  heading  directly  for  a 
wide,  deep  ditch  that  had  just  been  dug  out  for  a  hospital  reservoir.  The 
officers,  whose  laughing  shouts  helped  to  scare  the  horse  when  he  first 
started,  now  stood  in  fearful  silence,  expecting  to  see  both  beast  and  boy 
go  headlong  into  the  open  reservoir.  But  the  suspense  was  as  short,  as 
the  glad  cheer  that  followed  was  loud  and  long;  for,  with  one  tremen 
dous  bound,  the  noble  steed  landed  himself  and  rider  safely  on  the  other 
side,  and  John  Gilpin  was  General  Grant  again.  The  most  remarkable 
part  of  this  incident  is,  that  one  of  the  men  who  afterward  measured  the 
ditch  is  now  living,  and  is  willing  to  swear  that  it  was  seventeen  feet  wide! 


Too  BIG  FOR  His  CLOTHES, 

BUT    NOT    BIG    ENOUGH    FOR    THE    TRIPE. 

There  was  one  man  in  the  regiment  who  was  called  Company  D's 
giant,  who  was  six  feet  and  two  or  three  inches  tall  and  weighed  three 
hundred  and  fifty  pounds.  He  was  so  large  that  it  actually  took  two 
pair  of  pants  to  make  one  pair  that  he  could  wear. 

His  appetite  was  even  greater  than  himself,  and  it  was  quite  astonishing  to 
witness  the  amount  of  "  salt  horse  and  hard-tack  "  he  would  manage  to  stow  away 
at  an  ordinary  meal,  to  say  nothing  about  his  alimentary  capacity  after  he  had 
been  on  short  rations  for  a  few  days. 

To  decide  a  bet  between  two  of  his  comrades  he  undertook  one  day  to  eat  the 
whole  of  a  steer's  tripe  at  one  meal ;  the  conditions  being  that  he  should  have  all 
the  time  he  wanted  to  complete  the  job,  but  that  he  should  keep  up  a  constant 
grinding  and  swallowing  until  either  he  or  the  tripe  was  vanquished.  It  was  a 
long,  hard  contest,  and  it  seemed  for  some  time  that  the  giant  gormandizer  had 
the  best  of  it ;  but  after  about  two  hours  he  seemed  to  have  lost  all  relish  for  his 
favorite  dish,  and  notwithstanding  the  urgent  oral  efforts  of  his  backer  to  get  him 
to  try  and  "  finish  up  just  that  little  piece  left"  it  was  no  use,  for  his  overloaded 
stomach  revolted  and  he  threw  up  —  the  sponge. 

"  But  man  we  find  the  only  creature, 
Who,  led  by  folly,  combats  nature." 


JVciv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  407 

COLD  WATER  JOKE. 

Major  Savage  with  a  heart  "  as  large  as  an  ox,"  as  the  boys  used  to 
say,  was  one  of  those  graduates  of  the  old  school  who  deemed  it  extremely 
impudent,  especially  while  in  the  army,  not  to  have  a  supply  of  "  com 
missary  "  always  on  hand,  as  well  for  the  benefit  of  himself,  as  the  enter 
tainment  of  his  friends  ;  and  he  was  not  the  only  officer  of  the  regiment 
who  seemed  to  endorse  the  benefit  idea,  when  exposed  to  the  malarial 
poison  of  the  South,  on  the  homoeopathic  principle,  doubtless,  of  similia 
shnilibus  curantur. 

One  day  at  Falmouth,  Captain  Shackford,  who  was  always  ready  for  fun,  stole 
slyly  into  the  Major's  tent,  while  he  was  out  on  his  rounds  as  officer  of  the  day, 
and  exchanged  his  spirits  of  rye  for  about  an  equal  quantity  of  cold  water,  and 
then  got  several  other  of  the  line  officers  to  be  on  hand  when  he  should  return, 
to  listen  to  the  dry  humor  of  their  victim. 

Pretty  soon  the  Major  rides  up  to  his  tent,  dismounts,  and,  as  expected,  invites 
his  brother  officers  to  step  in  and  "  take  a  smile"  with  him.  Taking  off'  his  hat 
and  wiping  the  sweat  from  his  brow,  as  was  his  habit,  he  says:  "  Well,  gentle 
men,  it  isn't  often,  you  know,  that  I  take  anything,  but  when  I  do,  it  is  generally 
about  this  time  of  day."  Then  reaching  under  his  bunk  he  finds  his  jug 
where  he  left  it,  and  in  order  to  satisfy  the  others  that  it  is  "  safe,"  he  is  per 
suaded  to  take  the  first  drink.  Putting  the  jug  to  his  lips,  intending  to  take  it 
"  straight,"  in  regular  army  style,  be  swallows  one  mouthful,  squirts  the  next 
upon  the  ground,  and  with  well  feigned  terror,  exclaims:  "My  God!  I'm  a 
dead  man  !  !  " 


INFLUENCE  OF  THE  MOON. 

A  balmy  atmosphere,  clear,  genial,  and  soothing  beyond  expression, 
had  caused  the  tents  of  our  regiment  nearly  all  to  be  vacated,  that  their 
occupants  might  the  more  fully  enjoy  and  pleasantly  pass  the  quiet  camp 
hours  between  retreat  and  taps. 

Lunar's  bright  crescent,  slowly  nearing  the  western  horizon,  seemed  to 
vie  with  Venus  in  her  brilliant  glow  to  give  light  and  beauty  to  the  scene. 
The  colonel  and  lieutenant-colonel,  outside  their  canvas  walls,  sat  in  silent 
and  pensive  enjoyment.  From  the  company  quarters,  across  the  parade 
ground,  came  songs  of  home  and  boyhood,  commingled  with  sounds  of 
mirth  and  sport. 

But  soon  the  attention  of  our  senior  and  junior  commanders  is  turned  toward 
the  drum  corps  quarters  near  by,  where  they  can  distinctly  hear  an  earnest  dis 
cussion  between  two  of  the  musicians  as  to  the  reason  why  the  outline  of  the 
other  part  of  the  moon  could  be  dimly  seen  when  there  was  a  "new  moon." 
The  members  of  the  drum  corps  at  this  time  acted  as  camp  orderlies  for  regi 
mental  headquarters,  and  the  lieutenant-colonel,  calling  to  the  one  whose  turn  it 
was  to  be  on  duty  that  day,  inquired  : 


408  Plistory  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

"  What  fellows  are  those  at  your  camp  discussing  the  moon?" 

The  orderly  hesitates  and  listens. 

"  Can't  you  tell  them  by  their  voices?  " 

"Yes,  sir;   that's  what  I  was  trying  to  do.      I  think  it  is  B —  and  C — ." 

"  Well,  who  is  that  talking  now?  " 

"It  is  B— ." 

"  Is  he  that  little,  young  drummer  about  the  size  and  age  of  yourself  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Well,  I  want  you  to  not  forget  to  tell  him  when  you  go  to  your  quarters  that 
I  want  to  see  him  at  my  tent  to-morrow  morning  at  8  o'clock." 

"All  right,  sir." 

The  next  morning  at  the  precise  hour  designated,  our  young  disputant,  expect 
ing  nothing  but  a  severe  reprimand  for  the  loud  talk  of  the  evening  before  (  though 
wondering  all  the  while  why  "  t '  other  fcllorv,"  who  was  quite  as  loud  spoken, 
had  not  been  called  upon  to  face  the  music,  as  well  as  himself),  rapped  at  the 
colonel's  tent,  gripping  his  teeth  to  keep  his  heart  from  jumping  out  of  his 
mouth,  as  he  listened  for  the  response  from  within  which  bid  him  come  in. 

A  glance  at  the  colonel's  countenance  at  once  dismissed  all  fears  he  might 
have  had  of  being  very  severely  dealt  with  ;  and  a  few  assuring  words  (so  differ 
ent  from  those  he  had  ofttimes  before  heard  from  the  colonel's  lips  when  irritated 
or  displeased)  convinced  him  that  either  the  colonel  never  intended  to  punish 
him  very  badly,  or  had  thought  better  of  it  after  the  soothing  effect  of  a  good 
night's  sleep.  But  we  will  particularize  no  further  but  boil  the  whole  story 
down  by  saying  that  the  result  of  the  evening  spat  and  the  morning  chat  was, 
that  our  young  combatant  of  the  tongue  was  soon  requested  to  exchange  his  drum 
sticks  for  a  sword,  which  he  continued  to  carry  through  several  promotions  to  the 
end  of  his  service.  So  much  for  the  benign  influence  of  the  nciv  moon, 
especially  when  seen  over  the  right  shoulder. 


INCIDENTS  OF  CHANCELLORSVILLE. 

Sergt.  Moses  Chapman,  of  Company  I,  says  that  he  set  his  gun  against 
a  small  tree  to  get  out  his  extra  cartridges,  and  while  doing  so  —  only  a 
minute  or  two  —  six  bullets  struck  the  tree. 

Ira  Meserve,  of  Company  F,  tells  the  following  : 

When  Jackson's  forces  scattered  the  Eleventh  Corps,  he  saw  a  soldier,  who 
was  with  the  supply  train,  leading  a  packed  mule  that  he  was  hurrying  along  as 
fast  as  he  could  to  get  out  of  danger,  but  bound  to  stick  to  his  mule  instead  of 
leaving  everything  to  save  himself,  as  most  of  his  comrades  had  done.  Soon 
a  shell  or  solid  shot  struck  the  man's  knapsack  or  the  mule's  back-pack,  or  both 
—  I  never  could  tell  which  or  what  —  and  both  leader  and  led  fell — no,  not 
dead!  but  all  in  a  heap  together;  and  all  I  know  about  the  rebel  shot  striking 
the  baggage  instead  of  the  bearers  is  that  while  the  former  seemed  to  be  scattered, 
the  latter  were  quickly  seen  to  rally,  but  the  man  had  by  this  time  concluded  to 
let  the  mule  go  to  grass. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  409 

Lieut.  B.  M.  Morrill  says  that  a  rebel  prisoner  taken  Saturday  night 
at  Chancellorsville  told  him  that  General  Jackson  was  for  a  few  moments 
substantially  a  prisoner  in  our  hands  but  we  did  not  know  it. 

This  statement  is  probably  true,  for  it  confirms  that  of  Sergeant  Tilton,  of 
Company  F,  who  was  thrown  out  on  picket  that  night  just  in  front  of  the  wood 
path  in  which  Jackson  is  said  to  have  taken  his  last  ride  to  the  front.* 

Sergeant  Tilton  has  always  claimed  that  some  rebel  general,  that  he  believes  to 
have  been  General  Jackson,  rode  out  of  the  woods  a  few  rods,  took  a  quick  sur 
vey  of  the  open  field  in  front  and  then  rode  back  into  the  woods. 

Tilton  lay  silent  and  unseen  in  the  sedge  grass  within  a  hundred  feet  of  where 
the  officer  halted ;  but  it  being  in  the  dusk  of  the  evening  so  that  he  could  not 
distinguish  with  certainty,  and  having  orders  not  to  fire  but  fall  back  at  any 
advance  of  the  enemy,  he  dared  not  take  the  responsibility  to  act. 

George  W.  Andrews,  of  Company  E,  who  with  his  comrade,  Clark  V. 
Ilines,  a  Brown  of  Company  C,  and  another  whose  name  is  forgotten 
carried  Colonel  Potter  out  of  the  Chancellor  House  after  it  had  caught 
fire,  says  : 

We  first  carried  him  to  a  small  log  house  near  by,  and  had  just  laid  him  down 
when  a  shell  or  solid  shot  stove  the  chimney  down  and  a  brick  came  within  six 
inches  of  the  Colonel's  head.  "  My  God,  boys,  this  is  no  place  for  us,"  exclaimed 
the  Colonel ;  and  we  then  carried  him  quite  a  distance  to  another  small  house, 
which  had  evidently  been  a  negro  shanty,  where  he  remained  until  taken  pris 
oner  which  was  very  soon  after. 

Sergeant  Piper,  who  took  a  rebel  prisoner  at  Chancellorsville  but  had 
to  let  him  go  to  save  himself  from  being  taken  on  the  retreat,  relates  the 
following  conversation  with  an  officer,  belonging  to  another  brigade,  who 
came  up  to  the  right  of  the  Twelfth  near  the  close  of  the  battle  : 

He  walked  for  a  little  distance  along  the  battle-line  of  the  regiment  and 
exclaimed:  u  My  God!  Look  at  this  line  of  death  !  Whoever  saw  dead  men 
on  dress  parade  before  ? "  He  was  seen  by  several  of  those  who  were  still  fight 
ing  on  the  right  of  the  regimental  line,  and  seemed  to  be  as  cool  and  self-pos 
sessed  as  if  there  were  not  the  "  zip  "  of  a  bullet  or  the  sound  of  a  gun  to  be  heard. 
Coming  up  to  me,  as  I  was  the  highest  officer  left  in  command  of  the  company, 
he  inquired  : 

"What  regiment  is  this,  and  how  long  have  you  been  fighting  here?" 

"Twelfth  New  Hampshire;   can't  tell  how  long." 

"Where  are  all  your  officers?" 

"  Dead  or  wounded,  I  guess,  I  have  n't  seen  any  of  them  lately." 

"  Well,  hold  your  ground  a  little  while  longer  if  you  can,  brave  men,  and  I 
will—." 

The  remainder  of  his  sentence  was  not  distinctly  understood,  as  he  started  for 
the  rear  before  completing  it;  but  the  Sergeant  understood  its  full  meaning  to  be 
that  he  would  look  after  them.  In  a  few  minutes  he  came  running  back,  and 
when  within  hearing  distance  shouted  :  "  Fall  back  at  once!  They  arc  coming 
down  upon  you  ten  deep  !  " 

*See  page  74. 


4IQ  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

A  Confederate  captain  who  fought  in  our  front,  but  was  afterward  taken 
prisoner,  inquired  about  the  name  and  number  of  troops  that  so  long  and 
stubbornly  held  his  brigade  in  check;  and,  after  incredulously  receiving 
the  information  that  only  one  regiment  was  then  and  there  opposed  to 
them,  said  : 

"Well,  if  your  regiment  had  advanced  a  few  rods  further  it  would  have  had  a 
breast-work  of  our  dead  to  fight  behind."  He  also  said,  referring  to  our  buck- 
and-ball  cartridges,  that  they  never  met  infantry  troops  in  battle  before,  who  fired 
grape  and  canister  ! 

The  officers  and  men  of  the  Twelfth  who  were  taken  prisoners  were  led  back 
to  the  rebel  rear,  after  the  battle,  over  the  same  ground  upon  which  they  had 
fought;  and,  from  what  they  all  have  been  heard  to  say,  it  would  seem  that  the 
statement  of  the  rebel  officer  concerning  the  terrible  slaughter  of  his  brigade  there 
was  not  much  exaggerated.  Captain  Lang  says:  "They  lay  in  heaps,"  and 
Lieutenant  Place  writes:  "The  ground  in  front  of  us  was  literally  strewn  with 
the  dead  rebels.  I  saw  one  with  the  head  severed  from  the  body." 

The  woods  caught  fire  where  our  troops  fought  in  this  battle  and  quite 
a  number  of  the  badly  wounded,  according  to  rebel  reports,  were  burned 
to  death. 

That  such  was  the  fate  of  some  there  can  be  no  reasonable  doubt.  Warren 
Tucker,  of  Company  D,  who  was  taken  prisoner,  says  that  he  saw  one  poor 
fellow  of  our  army,  brought  in  by  the  rebels,  so  badlv  burned  that  you  could  pick 
the  flesh  off  his  arms  by  handfuls.  And  Captain  Lang  mentions  another  —  pos 
sibly  the  same  one,  however  —  who  was  so  badlv  burned  that  he  begged  for 
someone  to  shoot  him  to  end  his  misery.  The  above  is  remindful  of  a  Federal 
prisoner  who  was  seen  to  deliberately  blow  his  own  brains  out,  though  he  was 
neither  burned  nor  wounded,  as  the  observer  was  aware  of.  lie  was  desperately 
determined,  perhaps,  that  his  name  should  never  be  added  to  the  death-roll  of 
Andersonville  or  any  other  rebel  prison. 

It  was  long  feared,  though  nothing  confirmatory  has  ever  been  learned,  that 
some  of  the  Twelfth  who  were  left  wounded  in  the  woods  were  burned,  as  the 
fire  was  reported  to  have  spread  over  that  part  of  the  battle-ground.  During'  later 
years  there  has  been  a  growing  hope  that  such  was  not  the  case. 


SHAKESPEARE  ON  THE  BATTLE-LINE. 

It  was  on  the  blood-drenched  field  of  Chancellorsville  ;  Death's  carnival 
was  at  its  height  and  the  brave  boys  of  the  Twelfth  were  falling  on  the 
right  and  on  the  left,  many  to  rise  no  more  until  awakened  by  the  arch 
angel's  trump  at  the  last  great  roll-call. 

Dante's  "Inferno"  was  being  dramatized  by  the  lurid  light  of  burning  brim 
stone  from  the  cannon's  mouth,  whose  smoke  obscured  the  sun,  when  one  of  the 
actors  in  this  terrible  tragedy,  thinking  to  act  a  double  part  and  embellish  Dante 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  411 

with  a  line  of  Shakespeare,  all  at  once  dropped  his  gun,  raised  his  hands  in  a 
theatrical  attitude,  and  while  a  comrade  near  by  looked  to  see  him  fall  —  suppos 
ing  that  he  was  shot  in  some  vital  part  —  loudly  voiced  Mercutio,  as  follows: 
"Ask  for  me  to-morrow  and  you  shall  find  a  grave  man."  Then  coolly  picking 
up  his  gun  he  went  on  with  his  main  role  until  the  close  of  the  dreadful  scene. 

The  above  incident  is  strictly  true,  as  can  be  proved  by  both  actor  and 
prompter,  who  are  still  living,  viz.  :  F.  P.  Rhodes  and  A.  W.  Bacheler,  of 
Company  E.  Another  incident  of  like  nature  cannot  probably  be  found  in  the 
whole  history  or  traditions  of  the  war,  North  or  South. 


WANTED  MORE  JUICE. 

"  For  thy  sake,  Tobacco,  I 
Would  do  anything  but  die." 

It  is  a  well  known  fact  that  tobacco  chewers  and  smokers  use  a  much 
greater  quantity  of  the  narcotic  plant  when  laboring  under  great  anxiety 
or  unduly  excited.  But  one  would  think  that  when  excited  to  that  intense 
strain  of  nerve  that  the  soldier  is  in  the  midst  of  a  hotly  contested  battle, 
there  would  be  little  want  or  thought  of  the  favorite  quid. 

Such,  however,  was  not  the  case  with  Sergeant  Stockbridge,  then  private  of 
Company  B.  It  is  not  surprising  that  in  biting  oft"  and  spitting  out  so  many 
cartridge  ends,  he  should  have  lost  his  cud ;  but  it  is  strange  enough  to  deserve 
mention,  that  he  should  be  hungry  enough  for  another,  to  stop,  take  the  plug  from 
his  pocket,  and  bite  it  oft',  while  the  bullets  were  flying  like  hail  around  his 
head.  Yet  he  did  it,  and  then  resumed  his  firing  apparently  as  cool  and  careless 
as  a  man  at  a  day's  work.  We  do  not  know  of  anyone  in  the  regiment  stopping 
to  light  his  pipe  in  that  or  any  other  battle,  but  Ira  Meserve,  of  Company  F,  says 
he  had  his  pipe  knocked  from  his  mouth  by  a  minie  the  night  before,  while 
supporting  a  battery  at  Hazel  Grove. 


No,  I  THANK  You. 
The  following  is  from  Corp.  O.  H.  P.  Young,  of  Company  B  : 

Just  after  the  panic  of  the  Eleventh  Corps  at  Chancellorsville  had  subsided  a 
little,  I  suggested  to  one  of  my  comrades  that  we  build  up  a  little  fire  and  have 
some  coffee ;  and  while  the  coffee  was  cooking,  I  cut  a  stick  and  stuck  it  into  a 
piece  of  "  salt  chunk  "  and  was  holding  it  sizzling  over  the  fire  to  grease  the  way 
for  a  mouthful  of  "  hard-tack  "  to  go  with  it,  when  a  piece  of  shell  struck  the 
stick,  throwing  the  meat  directly  into  my  comrade's  mouth,  burning  his  lips  and 
throwing  him  back  on  the  ground,  exclaiming:  "  What  the  d  —  1  was  that?  I  'm 
shot ! '  -But  soon  taking  in  the  true  situation  of  things  he  says  :  "  I  guess  I  '11  take 
my  coffee  before  they  feed  you  with  that,"  and  left  for  some  safer  spot,  leaving 
me  rolling  on  the  ground  in  violent  convulsions  —  of  laughter. 


412  History  of  the  T^vclfth  Regiment 

"  Tins  is  MILITARY," 

As  the  boys  used  to  say  when  some  apparently  foolish  move  was  made, 
or  an  unnecessary  amount  of  "  red  tape"  was  put  on. 

A  soldier  in  the  ranks,  so  far  as  his  actual  knowledge  goes,  has  little 
chance  to  understand  or  power  to  direct.  Being  almost  wholly  ignorant 
of  the  premises,  his  conclusions  are  often  necessarily  erroneous.  For  this 
reason  he  often  complains  without  grounds  therefor.  Especially  is  this 
true  of  the  "raw  recruit"  who  has  never  received  instruction  from  that 
severe  but  best  of  drill-masters,  experience.  Unschooled  in  military 
logistics,  and  never  having  read  of  Carthaginian  strategy  or  Fabian 
policy  he  fails  to  see  the  necessity  or  appreciate  the  beauty  of  curved  lines 
traced  out  for  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  through  Virginia  mud,  with  forty  or 
lifty  pounds  fastened  upon  his  hips  and  shoulders,  and  ending,  perhaps, 
with  a  midnight  halt  at  or  close  by  the  place  or  point  from  which  he 
started  in  the  morning. 

However  a  president  may  like  "swinging  around  the  circle"  it  has  no 
pleasures  for  him,  but  seems  a  circumference  of  drunken  folly  with  no 
centre  of  sober  common  sense  ;  and  I  am  sorry  that  truth  compels  one  to 
say  that,  sometimes,  he  is  more  than  half  right. 

It  was  after  one  of  these  swings  or  countermarches,  to  deceive  the  enemy 
before  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  that  a  well  remembered  comrade  of  Com 
pany  B,  who  fell  in  that  dreadful  conflict  a  few  days  later,  having  exhausted  both 
his  strength  and  his  patience,  at  last  gave  oral  vent  to  his  feelings  in  the  most 
earnest  and  serious  manner,  as  follows :  "I've  had  enough  of  this  confounded 
nonsense;  and  if  I  could  only  write  as  well  as  Sam  Stiles,  I  would  show  this 
whole  thing  up  to  the  authorities  at  Washington,  as  sure  as  I'm  alive." 

Sam  Stiles  was,  and  had  been  for  many  years,  a  well  known  writing-master 
living  in  that  part  of  the  State  from  which  the  soldier  enlisted. 


A  SHARP  REMINDER. 

Division  hospital  at  Falmouth,  Va.,  in  charge  of  Doctor  Marshall,  was 
crowded  with  wounded  soldiers  after  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville.  Here 
many  of  the  brave  boys  died  from  sheer  neglect,  Doctor  Marshall  and  his 
assistants  lying  and  staggering  around  drunk,  when  the  light  was  going 
out  of  the  eyes  of  some,  who  would  to-day  be  living  could  they  then  and 
there  have  had  proper  care  and  attention.  It  is  hard  to  believe  that  noble 
lives  were  sometimes  sacrificed  needlessly  on  the  field  by  incompetent  or 
drunken  officers  ;  but  it  is  much  harder  to  know  that  true  and  brave  men 
as  ever  met  their  country's  foes  should  be  obliged  to  suffer  and  die  from 
their  wounds  in  the  hospitals,  where  they  had  both  reason  and  right  to 
expect  the  best  of  treatment  and  care,  from  the  worse  than  criminal  neg 
lect  of  those  whose  business  it  was  to  attend  to  them. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  413 

Doctor  Fowler,  having  properly  cared  for  all  the  cases  under  his  immediate 
charge,  went  over  one  day  and  offered  his  services  in  dressing  the  wounds  of  the 
many  yet  uncared  for  in  the  division  hospital  referred  to.  His  offer  being  insult 
ingly  refused  he  turned  around  to  leave,  when  his  quick  eye  caught  sight  of  a 
hand  moving  to  attract  his  attention  to  one  of  the  cots  near  by.  Approaching 
he  found  one  of  the  most  pitiable  cases  of  mangled  and  suffering  humanity  he 
had  ever  seen.  Nothing  more  was  needed  to  bring  his  temper,  naturally  quick 
and  already  started,  to  a  white  heat,  and  stripping  off  his  coat  and  drawing  his 
revolver  he  threw  them  into  a  chair,  the  latter  on  top,  and  with  an  oath  that  the 
time  and  occasion  seemed  to  extenuate  if  not  justify,  bade  defiance  to  rank  or  rum 
while  he  dressed  the  wounds  of  the  poor  fellow,  who  as  a  last  hope  had  besought 
his  aid.  It  is,  perhaps,  needless  to  say  that  he  was  not  molested  by  anyone  dur 
ing  the  operation.  At  another  time  while  assisting  in  the  same  hospital  and  attend 
ing  to  one  of  his  own  men,  Charles  Smith,  of  Company  D,  who  was  lying  in  a  very 
critical  condition,  General  Sickles  and  staff,  all  unexpected,  came  suddenly  in 
with  quite  a  number  of  attendants  bustling  and  clanking  along  behind.  This 
was  too  much  for  the  Doctor  and  turning  upon  the  General,  whom  he  recognized, 
he  said : 

"If  I  were  in  charge  here,  I  would  not  allow  you  to  come  in  here  in  this 
way." 

"  Why,  sir  ;   what  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"Mean?  I  mean  you  are  doing  more  harm  here  in  five  minutes  than  can  be 
undone  this  side  of  eternity.  Look  at  that  man  (pointing  to  Smith,  whose  eyes 
were  wild  in  the  delirium  of  excitement)  just  balancing  on  the  dividing  line  of 
life  and  death  and  see  for  yourself  what  I  mean.  If  I  could  not  put  a  stop  to  it 
any  other  way  I  would  make  complaint  to  General  Sickles  himself." 

The  General  saw  his  error  at  once,  but  the  Doctor's  last  shot  killed,  and  order 
ing  his  followers  back,  he  very  quickly  and  noiselessly  went  through  the  ward. 


Goon  PLUCK. 

Lying  in  a  ditch  a  few  yards  to  the  rear  of  the  edge  of  the  woods  where 
the  Twelfth  fought  at  Chancellorsville  was  a  young,  curly-headed,,  and 
bright-faced  boy,  belonging  to  a  Massachusetts  regiment,  who  had  been 
badly  wounded  in  the  head;  while  beside  him  lay  Corporal  Tilton,  of 
Company  F,  severely  wounded  in  the  arm  and  shoulder. 

The  lines  of  rebel  gray  had  driven  our  forces  back  and  were  madly  pushing 
forward  with  threatening  oaths  of  vengeance  for  the  death  of  their  great  leader. 
A  few  yards  further  and  the  wounded  soldiers,  if  they  fortunately  escaped  the 
bayonet  thrust,  would  be  prisoners  in  their  hands.  "Now  for  one  more  shot  at 
the  gray  devils,"  says  the  girl-faced  but  lion-hearted  boy;  "just  see  me  bore  a 
hole  through  that  officer  right  in  front  of  us,"  and  before  his  comrade  could 
remonstrate  against  the  seeming  folly  of  giving  two  lives  for  one,  the  musket  was 
discharged  and  the  officer  fell. 


414  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

THE  GRUMBLER. 

Every  company  in  a  regiment  had  one  or  more  constitutional  grumblers. 
They  seemed  to  be  made  out  of  cross-grained  material,  and  nothing  went 
smooth  with  them  at  any  time,  unless  when  asleep,  and  then  they  must 
have  had  unpleasant  dreams.  They  did  nothing,  even  to  eat  their  rations, 
without  a  grumbling  protest  of  some  kind,  and  finding  fault  with  every 
body  and  everything  was  about  as  natural  to  them  as  eating  or  sleeping. 

As  may  be  supposed,  the  grumbler,  as  a  rule,  belonged  to  the  second 
or  third  rate  class  of  soldiers  ;  but  now  and  then  would  be  found  a  notable 
exception. 

One  of  these  phenomenal  exceptions  belonged  to  Company —  (we'll  not  give 
the  letter,  lest  he  recognize  himself  and  goes  to  grumbling  again,  for  he  still  sur 
vives)  and,  judging  him  by  his  deeds  regardless  of  his  mutterings,  he  was  one  of 
the  best  soldiers  in  the  regiment.  The  habit  had  become  so  inseparably  con 
nected  with  his  military  existence  that  he  would  grumble  at  the  right  as  well  as 
the  wrong,  at  good  luck  as  well  as  bad,  and  — well,  here  is  a  fair  specimen  and 
an  amusing  illustration. 

When  retreating  from  the  woods  at  Chancellorsville,  where  he  had  been  knocked 
senseless  by  a  minie  ball  that  had  gra/ed  his  scalp,  he  was  overtaken  by  one  of 
his  comrades,  who  remembers  of  hearing  from  him,  almost  word  for  word,  as 
follows : 

"  This's  about  what  I  expected.  Joe  Hooker  might  have  known  better  than 
come  over  here.  But  now  he  's  got  here,  I  don't  see  why  in  thunder  he  don't  stay 
and  fight,  instead  of  backing  out  in  this  way.  I  can't  see  any  sense  in  fighting  until 
you  're  most  all  killed  and  then  quit.  If  I  'm  going  to  fight  I  want  to  fight  and 
have  the  thing  through  with  and  done  with  it." 

The  serio-comic  part  of  this  will  be  better  appreciated  by  the  reader  to  learn 
that  while  he  was  thus  sputtering,  the  rninies  were  flying  thickly  around  him  and 
the  blood  running  down  over  his  face  and  clothes. 


DISTANCE  ACROSS  THE  RIVER. 

"  If  I  only  had  a  quadrant  I  would  prove  to  you  that  your  estimation 
of  the  distance  across  the  river  to  the  rebel  pickets  is  too  great  by  nearly 
one  half."  This  remark  was  made  by  General  Boman  to  one  of  his  staff 
while  out  on  picket  one  day  near  the  Rappahannock. 

"But  can't  you  get  the  distance  without  a  quadrant,  General?"  ventures  to 
inquire  a  green,  insignificant  looking  boy  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment  who  had  been 
listening  to  their  conversation. 

"No,  I  don't  know  how  to;   &o  yon?" 

"Well,  I  was  thinking  it  might  be  done,  near  enough  at  least  for  all  practical 
purposes." 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  415 

This  calm  and  considerate  answer  to  his  somewhat  scornful  question  at  once 
banished  all  feeling  of  resentment  from  the  General's  mind  for  being  so  abruptly 
reminded  of  his  ignorance  by  one  of  his  own  soldiers,  and  he  pleasantly  requested 
him  to  put  his  thoughts  into  action,  and  demonstrate  the  correctness  of  his  idea. 

Thus  encouraged,  the  young  man  said  he  was  willing  to  try,  if  he  could  have 
a  little  time,  and  one  or  two  men  to  assist  him. 

"All  the  men  and  time  you  want,"  replied  the  General,  who  was  getting  quite 
as  much  interested  as  amused. 

Ten  or  fifteen  minutes  later,  the  problem  had  been  solved,  and  the  untutored 
youth  —  for  he  had  never  been  instructed  in  the  higher  mathematics  by  anyone 
but  himself — proceeded  to  explain  to  the  college  graduate,  professional  man, 
and  army  general  what  he  never  knew  before,  that  the  distance  across  a  river,  or 
to  any  point  or  place,  within  sight  and  not  too  far  away,  could  be  quite  accurately 
ascertained  without  the  use  of  either  quadrant  or  sextant. 


"A  POUND  OF  PLUCK  is  WORTH   A  TON  OF  LUCK." 

The  truth  that  General  Garfield  encompassed  in  this  rhymed  line  is 
illustrated  and  verified  in  the  life  of  almost  every  successful  man  ;  but 
history  has  never  furnished  a  more  conspicuous  example  than  the  brave 
struggle  and  brilliant  career  of  its  world-renowned  and  lamented  author. 
It  is  worthy  the  undying  companionship  of  "Poor  Richard's"  best,  and 
so  peculiarly  applicable  to  and  characteristic  of  the  great  statesman  and 
philosopher  that  many  will,  in  after  years,  attribute  it  to  him. 

But  not  among  the  great  and  wise  alone  does  this  brave  maxim  have  a 
meaning.  Almost  every  day's  experience  of  active  life  does,  in  a  greater 
or  less  degree,  demonstrate  its  truth  and  force  to  the  low  and  weak,  as 
well  as  the  high  and  strong. 

The  march  from  Falmouth,  Va.,  to  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  was  enough  to  test  not 
only  the  pluck,  but  the  endurance  of  the  bravest  and  strongest;  and  toward  the 
close  of  one  of  the  longest  and  hardest  day's  marches,  on  the  slippery  tow-path, 
one  of  the  boys  of  Company  D  got  so  wearisomely  sad,  that  things  looked  to  him 
most  discouragingly  blue,  as  evinced  by  his  looks  and  emphasized  by  his  tongue. 
At  this,  one  of  the  smallest  and  youngest  of  his  comrades,  walking  up  to  and 
slapping  him  upon  the  shoulder,  exclaimed  :  "  Cheer  up  here,  and  give  us  a  smile 
for  a  tear;  we  shall  live  to  tell  our  grandchildren  of  this  yet."  Both  are  now 
living ;  one  is  a  grandfather  already,  and  the  other  will  doubtless  soon  have  the 
same  honor,  though  neither  is  yet  fifty  years  old. 


THE  CHERRY  PICKER. 


While  the  regiment  was  supporting  a  battery  in  the  orchard  near  the 
Emmitsburg  road  at  Gettysburg,  one  of  the  boys  of  Company  E  climbed 
into  a  cherry  tree,  the  better  to  help  himself  to  the  tempting  fruit  thereon. 


416  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Though  he  went  up  nimbly  like  a  live  squirrel,  he  came  down  more  like  a 
dead  possum,  to  the  great  amusement  of  his  comrades  when  they  found 
that  the  solid  shot  that  brought  him  down  had  more  frightened  than  hurt 
him.  He  was  never  quite  able  to  tell  whether  the  limb  he  stood  on  was 
cut  off,  or  he  knocked  off  the  limb.  His  own  version  of  the  affair  put 
into  rhyme  is  very  brief,  but  quite  expressive  : 

I  heard  something  snap,  and  I  felt  something  ' '  drap  "- 

Make  no  queries  ; 
For  th'next  thing  I  knew  I  had  got  all  through 

Picking  cherries. 


INCIDENT  AT  GETTYSBURG. 
"  Deep  rest  and  sweet,  most  like  indeed  to  death's  own  quietness." 

When  exhausted  nature  demands  a  rest  she  is  not  at  all  particular  of 
the  time  or  place.  Sleeping  beside  the  dead  has  been  the  experience  of 
many  a  soldier,  but  the  following  incident  has  a  touch  of  pathos  in  it  that 
renders  it  peculiarly  interesting  : 

Albert  D.  Jones  and  Christopher  C.  Joy,  of  Company  A,  were  both  mortally 
wounded  at  Gettysburg,  and  died  on  the  field,  the  former  about  midnight,  and 
the  latter  at  2  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

Their  comrade,  Thomas  E.  Lawlor,  as  kind  as  he  was  brave,  found  them  in 
the  evening  after  the  fight,  and  remained  with  them  until  they  died.  Jones 
suffered  but  little  pain,  and  seemed  resigned  to  his  fate.  After  his  death  Lawlor 
gave  his  whole  attention  to  Joy,  who  was  suffering  much  from  wounds  in  his 
breast  and  back,  desiring  frequent  change  of  position,  and  requiring  the  constant 
effort  of  his  faithful  attendant  to  aid  and  comfort  him.  Two  slow  hours  pass  and 
the  pains  of  the  dying  patriot  cease ;  and  so  kindly  gentle  was  the  approach  of 
death,  to  release  him  from  his  suffering,  that  Lawlor  thought  he  was  going  to 
sleep.  But  scarcely  do  his  fingers,  on  the  pulseless  wrist,  tell  him  that  it  is  the 
sleep  that  never  ends,  than  he  himself  is  soundly  sleeping  by  the  side  of  his  dead 
comrade,  to  awake  when  the  loud  roar  of  cannon  sounds  the  reveille  of  another 
day  of  strife  and  carnage  to  end,  at  last,  in  victory. 

So,  side  by  side,  there  slept  the  brave, 
The  living  with  the  dead. 


DIPLOMATIC. 

In  addition  to  what  has  already  been  written,*  we  will  give  one  more 
instance  of  the  tact  and  shrewdness  practiced  by  the  "  sub"  recruits  to  rid 
themselves  of  the  Union  blue. 

*Sec  page  151  ct  seq. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  417 

While  stationed  at  Point  Lookout,  one  of  them,  evidently  of  French  parentage, 
received  papers  from  Washington  for  him  to  be  allowed  to  go  to  that  city  on 
important  business  connected  with  the  French  Legation.  They  were  signed  by 
the  French  consul  and  countersigned  by  the  secretary  of  war.  Captain  Langley, 
to  whom,  as  commander  of  the  regiment,  they  were  first  presented,  took  them  to 
General  Marston,  who,  not  doubting  their  genuineness,  granted  him  leave  of 
absence  for  six  days.  The  next  morning's  boat  up  river  took  him  on  board,  and 
from  that  day  there  was  one  less  to  answer  to  the  roll-call  in  Company  I-  It  was 
all  a  clever  forgery  ! 


WHAT  HE  WAS  THERE  FOR. 

A  boat  had  just  brought  down  from  Washington  another  load  of"  subs  " 
for  the  brigade  at  Point  Lookout,  and  some  of  the  officers  went  down  to 
the  wharf  to  get  the  first  look  at  them. 

Among  the  motley  crew  of  the  odds  and  ends  of  humanity  was  one  fellow, 
who  was  so  badly  wind-broken  by  phthisic,  or  some  other  throat  or  lung  trouble, 
that  he  could  walk  but  a  few  steps  without  sitting  down  to  puff  and  blow  a  while. 
"What  in  the  name  of—  —are  you  out  here  for?"  asked  Captain  Langley,  who 
passed  by  where  the  poor  fellow  sat,  coughing  and  wheezing,  on  a  stone  but  a 
few  rods  from  the  landing.  '•'•Fourteen  hundred  dollars"  was  the  short  but 
truthful  reply. 


DOUGHNUTS. 

One  of  the  sergeants  of  Company  H,  whose  first  name  is  Alma,  was  a 
great  lover  of  doughnuts,  and  different  from  most  of  young  husbands  he 
thought  his  wife  could  make  quite  as  good  or  better  doughnuts  than  his 
mother.  So  he  wrote  home  to  her  from  Point  Lookout  for  a  recipe  how 
to  make  them. 

He  received  in  reply  a  box,  containing  not  only  the  desired  information,  but 
also  many  nicely  cooked  eatables,  among  which,  of  course,  were  a  big  lot  of 
his  home-made  favorites.  When  these  were  gone,  to  the  sweet  relish  of  his  own, 
and  the  delicious  taste  of  many  a  comrade's,  palate,  he  concluded  to  test  his  own 
skill  in  the  fat  and  flour  business ;  and  procuring  the  necessary  materials  by  the 
aid  of  one  of  the  officers  giving  him  an  order  on  the  commissary.  His  effort  was 
crowned  with  so  much  success  that  he  soon  not  only  supplied  himself,  but  also 
many  of  his  comrades,  who  quickly  purchased  all  that  he  had  to  spare. 

He  had  not  anticipated  the  money-making  part  of  his  culinary  effort,  and  was 
all  the  more  pleased  to  see  how  nicely  the  pleasure  and  profit  of  eating  and  selling 
run  together.  But  one  day  there  came  a  sad  end  to  his  newly  established 
business.  His  fat  caught  fire,  the  fire  caught  the  tent,  and  all  save  the  cook  and 
his  kettle  went  up  in  smoke. 

27 


418  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

APRIL  FOOL  PIES. 

It  was  the  morning  of  the  first  day  of  April,  1864.  Many  of  the  officers' 
wives  still  remained  in  camp  at  Point  Lookout,  although  it  was  expected 
every  day  that  the  regiment  would  receive  marching  orders. 

Albert  Newell,  of  Company  B,  had  for  some  time  been  acting  as  chief  cook  for 
the  officers,  assisted  with  now  and  then  a  hint  and  a  dab  from  their  wives,  who 
hated  to  acknowledge  themselves  beaten  at  their  own  trade  by  a  man.  Albert 
was  thinking  what  he  would  have  for  dinner  when  all  at  once  he  jumped  at  an 
idea  and — caught  it.  "  Now  I  have  it,"  he  says,  talking  to  himself  and  pleased 
with  the  catch,  "and  bruise  my  elbows,  if  I  don't  give  these  ladies  a  lesson  in 
cooking  that  will  refresh  itself  in  their  memories  every  April  Fool's  day  so  long 
as  they  live." 

So,  to  prove  his  words  by  his  acts,  he  at  once  proceeded  to  tangibly  formulate 
his  new  idea,  and  knowing  that  "the  test  of  the  pudding  is  the  eating"  he 
determined  to  have  the  sample  test  ready  for  dinner,  chuckling  to  himself  at  the 
thought,  as  he  mixed  up  the  ingredients,  that  without  the  condiments  there  would 
be  more  test  than  taste. 

Now  it  happened  that  nearly  all  of  the  mess  were  very  fond  of  mince  pies,  and 
to  have  them  just  right  every  wife  of  course  had  to  have  a  finger  in  the  mince  if 
not  in  the  pie.  But  for  this  meal  the  cook  had  followed  his  own  recipe  and 
brought  forward  for  a  camp-mess  dessert  some  as  nice-looking,  newly-baked  pies 
as  had  been  seen  since  the  rich,  brick-oven  specimens  of  their  youthful  days; 
and  they  were  all  the  more  welcome  because  nothing  so  delicious  was  that  day 
expected.  So  no  sooner  seen,  than  expressions  of  commingled  pleasure  and 
surprise  arose  from  all  sides  of  the  table. 

"Why,  Albert,  why  hadn't  you  let  us  know  and  we'd  have  assisted  you," 
exclaimed  one  of  the  ladies. 

"  Yes,  indeed,  we  would,"  chimed  in  another,  "  but  I  guess  he  's  beaten  us  all." 

"'Too  many  cooks  spoil  the  broth,' you  know,"  replied  the  cook.  "Sol 
thought  I'd  'go  it  alone'  this  time,"  and  he  went  just  in  time  to  save  his  head 
from  a  hot  plaster  of  a//spice  except  the  molasses  and  sawdust. 


POINT  LOOKOUT. 

The  name  of  Point  Lookout  seemed  especially  applicable  to  that  place 
by  the  soldiers  of  the  New  Hampshire  brigade  stationed  there  during  the 
Winter  of  1863-64,  for  they  had  to  be  constantly  on  the  lookout,  as  we 
have  seen,  watching  for  desertions  from  their  own  as  well  as  escapes  from 
the  prisoners'  camp  ;  and  the  amount  of  vigilance  required,  as  divided 
between  the  "  subs"  and  the  "  rebs,"  was  for  a  while  about  the  same. 

The  following  incident,  however,  relates  to  the  latter : 

Just  at  dusk,  one  day,  a  return  working  squad  of  prisoners  was  found  by 
count  to  be  three  less  than  the  number  taken  out.  It  was  very  evident  they  had 
hidden  under  one  of  the  cook-houses,  near  which  the  squad  had  just  passed,  and 


New  /-/amps/lire   Volunteers.  419 

after  trying  in  vain  to  talk  them  out  by  pretending  to  know  they  were  there,  a 
search  was  made.  Corporal  Roderick,  of  Company  F,  volunteered  to  crawl 
under  and  ferret  them  out.  After  feeling  about  for  some  time  he  was  about  to 
give  up,  when  he  suddenly  struck  fresh  scent  in  the  smell  of  apples  recently  cut 
or  bitten ;  and  knowing  then  that  his  game  was  there,  he  with  an  extra  effort 
pushed  himself  a  little  further  ahead,  and  pulled  out  by  the  heels  two  of  the  miss 
ing  "•  Johnnies."  They  declared  they  knew  nothing  of  the  whereabouts  of  the 
other,  but  the  corporal  knowing  better,  but  wishing  to  save  another  long  crawl 
and  tight  squeeze,  resorted  to  strategy.  So,  going  into  the  cook-house  and  walk 
ing  heavily  across  the  floor  to  the  spot  under  which  he  had  no  doubt  the  missing 
man  was  lying,  he  said  to  one  of  his  men,  in  quite  a  loud  voice  :  "  Send  a  bullet 
down  through  the  floor  right  here,"  designating  the  spot  by  a  stamp  with  his  foot. 
This  "  cooked  the  possum,"  and  the  next  instant  was  heard  from  below,  the 
cry:  "  Don't  shoot,  I'll  come,"  and  he  came. 


A  POINTED  ANSWER. 

Shoulder  straps  were  frequently  lowered  a  little  when  too  highly  worn 
by  their  proud  owners  to  suit  the  taste  of  the  chevroned  "  non-com,"  who 
were  oftentimes  a  little  envious,  and  not  inclined  to  grant  them  any  fur 
ther  liberties  than  the  regulations  allowed  ;  and  when  they  were  found 
outside  of  these,  but  little  mercy  was  shown,  so  far,  at  least,  as  wit  and 
ridicule  could  go.  Sometimes  the  soldier,  when  he  knew  his  business 
better  than  the  officer  (which  was  by  no  means  uncommon),  would 
refuse  to  obey  the  orders  given  him,  and  then  he  would  be  arrested  and 
an  appeal  taken  to  the  colonel  or  regimental  commander,  resulting,  per 
haps,  in  his  release  from  arrest,  and  a  sharp  reprimand  to  the  officer. 

At  other  times  when  disputes  arose  between  an  officer  and  one  of  his 
men,  the  latter,  regardless  of  guard-house  or  court-martial,  would  hazard 
the  unwarrantable  authority  of  administering  the  reprimand  himself;  and 
at  the  same  time  try  and  convince  his  military  superior,  argumcntum  bac- 
ultnum,  that  in  war,  as  well  as  law,  there  is  always  two  sides  to  every 
question. 

An  amusing  instance  of  this  kind  occurred  one  night,  on  the  sentinel's  walk 
around  the  rebel  prisoners'  pen,  between  a  lieutenant  and  a  corporal  of  the  guard. 
The  officer,  wishing  to  prove  by  his  vigilance  that  he  was  worthy  the  straps  he 
had  just  donned,  crept  stealthily  up  the  stairs  onto  the  walk,  and  before  the 
guard,  who  happened  to  be  a  little  slow  and  easy,  could  halt  and  challenge  him, 
grabbed  hold  of  the  barrel  of  the  sentinel's  gun  just  as  it  was  brought  down  to  a 
guard  poise ;  and  thus  making  himself  master  of  the  situation,  as  he  thought,  he 
commenced  to  lecture  his  man  for  being  so  easily  surprised  and  captured,  asking 
him  what  he  would  have  done,  if  it  had  been  an  enemy  that  had  thus  stolen  upon 
him.  "  This  is  what  /  would  have  done,"  came  the  quick,  sharp  response  of 
the  corporal,  as  equally  quick  and  much  sharper  the  point  of  his  bayonet  backed 


420  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

up  the  truth  of  his  tongue  by  a  penetrating  touch  in  the  officer's  rear.  Although 
for  some  days  the  officer  never  sat  down  without  being  sorely  reminded  of  his 
discomfiture,  still  he  never  preferred  charges  against  the  corporal,  who  had  so 
cleverly  beaten  him  with  his  own  tactics. 


SNOWBALL  BATTLE. 

It  was  on  the  memorable  24th  of  March,  '64,  that  the  great  Snowball 
Battle  between  the  Second  and  Twelfth  was  fought.  On  the  day  and 
night  of  the  22d  there  had  been  a  severe  snow  storm,  which  a  rising  tem 
perature  had  converted  into  an  ample  supply  of  ammunition  of  the  best 
quality.  There  was,  at  first,  only  a  slight  skirmish  between  some  of  the 
younger  and  more  impetuous  on  the  picket-line  ;  with  no  design  or  expec 
tation  of  bringing  on  a  pitched  battle.  But  soon  the  reserves  were  drawn 
in,  and  falling  back  on  the  camp  guard  the  battle  became  general,  and  a 
most  spirited  and  determined  engagement  followed.  There  was  charge 
and  countercharge,  while  the  cheer  and  jeer  of  the  contending  forces  could 
be  heard  loud  above  the  din  of  combat.  The  fighting  was  so  fierce  and  at 
so  short  'range  that  the  contestants  used  their  side-arms  instead  of  their 
muskets,  but  the  firing  was  all  the  more  rapid,  and  balls  filled  the  air  on 
every  hand.  The  Second,  being  more  experienced  fighters,  gained  at 
first  some  tactical  advantages ;  at  one  time  coming  very  near  executing  a 
decisive  flank  movement  by  getting  in  the  rear  and  taking  the  line  of  the 
Twelfth  in  reverse.  Finally,  after  heavy  losses  (of  patience  and  temper) 
on  both  sides,  and  some  of  the  raw  recruits  had  commenced  throwing 
solid  shot  in  retaliation  for  wounds  they  had  received,  a  few  of  the  more 
daring  stalwarts  of  the  Twelfth  charged  on  the  enemy's  centre,  broke 
through  his  line  and  succeeded  in  capturing  Colonel  Bailey  and  carrying 
him  on  their  shoulders  triumphantly  into  their  own  camp.  This  decided 
the  contest,  and  thus  ended  one  of  the  most  warmly  contested  but  at  the 
same  time  coldest  conflicts  of  the  war. 


HER  PRAYER  ANSWERED. 

• 

"A  day,  an  hour,  of  virtuous  liberty, 
Is  worth  a  whole  lifetime  in  bondage.11 

By  virtue  of  a  license,  more  matter  of  fact  than  poetic,  the  writer  has 
changed  "eternity"  into  a  single  lifetime  in  the  above  couplet,  for  reasons 
to  be  found  in  the  leading  incident  of  this  narrative,  which  made  a  deep 
impression  upon  the  writer's  mind  at  the  time,  and  must,  I  think,  more 
or  less  interest  the  reader  now.* 

*  Soo  page  165. 


NCIV  Hampshire   Volunteers.  421 

One  cold  morning  late  in  the  Fall,  just  after  roll-call,  two  or  three  boats  were 
noticed  nearing  the  Point,  which,  as  they  approached  the  landing,  were  seen  to 
be  loaded  in  part  with  negro  refugees  from  the  Virginia  shore.  The  largest  of 
these  boats  —  which  had  evidently  been  built  and  used  as  a  kind  of  freight  barge  — 
was  rowed  by  four  men  and  loaded,  as  those  who  stood  watching  supposed,  with 
goods  of  some  kind  that  they  had  taken  with  them.  But  no  sooner  had  the  boat 
touched  the  wharf,  than  was  uncovered  to  our  astonished  eyes  some  twenty-five 
or  thirty  women  and  children  of  all  ages,  sizes,  and  colors,  from  the  blue-eyed 
quadroon  child  in  the  arms  of  its  darker-hued  mother,  to  the  ebon-faced  but 
hoary-headed  centenarian  lying  upon  a  feather  bed  in  the  stern  of  the  boat. 
What  a  picture  was  this,  to  be  looked  upon  by  men  from  New  England  homes ! 
But  the  still  more  impressive  was  yet  to  come.  All  but  this  old  woman  were 
soon  landed  ;  and  now,  tenderly  and  carefully,  by  the  strong  arms  that  had 
rowed  this  boat  load  of  human  freight  across  the  broad  mouth  of  the  Potomac, 
she  is  carried  on  her  bed  across  the  landing  to  the  high  ground  and  placed  in  the 
midst  of  those  who  accompanied  her  hither,  and  who  now  gather  around,  as  if 
to  shelter  her  from  the  chilling  winds,  and  screen  her  from  the  too  curious  gaze  of 
the  surrounding  soldiers.  But  from  the  midst  of  that  strange  group  came  sounds 
that  awakened  still  greater  interest  in  the  minds  of  those  who  were  fortunately 
near  enough  to  hear.  In  tremulous  but  enthusiastic  tones,  from  the  glad  heart 
of  this  aged  matriarch  of  her  race  and  kin,  was  heard  the  exclamation  :  "Thank 
de  Lord !  Thank  dc  Lord  that  I  am  at  last  free  !  "  and  again  in  a  few  min 
utes  we  catch  the  words :  "  De  Lord  be  blessed  for  answering  the  prayer  of  my 
long  and  weary  life  before  I  die !  "  And  with  similar,  oft-repeated  utterances, 
she  was  carried  oft'  to  the  "Contraband  Camp,"  where  from  the  excitement  and 
exposure  of  her  exodus  from  the  land  of  bondage  to  the  Camp  of  Freedom,  she 
soon  breathed  her  last,  still  thanking  God  that  she  could  die  free. 

Oh !  what  a  lesson  here  to  those  who  had  been  taught  to  believe,  as  some  of 
us  did,  that  slavery  was  of  divine  origin,  the  true  normal  condition  of  society, 
where  the  strong  and  the  weak,  the  high  and  the  low,  are  alike  protected  and  all 
equally  happy  and  contented. 


THE  SHAVER  SHAVED. 

Soon  after  landing  upon  Virginia  soil  from  Point  Lookout,  a  "sub"  by 
the  name  of  Layfever,  of  Company  G,  after  two  or  three  days'  absence 
without  leave,  returned  ;  but  stubbornly  refused  to  give  an  account  of 
himself  until  under  the  pains  of  punishment  he  owned  up  as  follows  : 

He  said  that  a  certain  barber  of  the  place  was  driving  the  double  trade  of  shav 
ing  Uncle  Sam  as  well  as  his  soldier-boy  nephews  ;  and  that  for  the  sum  of  twenty 
dollars  he  would  assist  any  soldier  to  desert,  by  having  him  rowed  across  the 
river  into  the  rebel  lines.  He  confessed  to  having  paid  the  barber  twenty  dollars, 
but  for  some  reason  thought  it  not  best  to  carry  out  his  part  of  the  programme. 
To  test  how  much  of  fact  this  story  contained,  and  safely  dispose  of  the  barber  if 
it  should  prove  true,  Captains  Barker  and  Bedee,  disguising  themselves  as 
privates,  proceeded  to  the  barber-broker's  headquarters  and  soon  made  a  bargain 


422  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

with  him  to  be  rowed  across  the  river  in  consideration  of  forty  dollars,  which 
they  gave  him.  In  the  meantime  Sergeant  Clarke,  of  Company  G,  with  Layfever 
as  guide,  and  both  armed  with  revolvers,  had  found  and  secreted  themselves  at 
the  place  designated  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  awaited  the  arrival  of  the  bar 
ber  with  his  two  fresh  customers.  But  they  were  not  so  "  fresh  "  as  he  had  bar 
gained  for,  and  proved  to  be  unexpectedly  hard  customers  for  him  and  his 
ferryman  accomplice,  who  were  both  arrested,  and  after  being  made  to  disgorge 
their  ill-gotten  funds  were  turned  over  to  the  provost-martial  for  such  disposition 
as  a  court-martial  might  s-ee  fit  to  make  of  them.  Layfever  afterward  deserted 
again,  jumped  another  bounty,  and  one  day,  some  months  later,  Sergeant  Clarke 
told  Captain  Bedee  that  he  had  seen  their  mutual  friend  in  the  ranks  of  another 
regiment. 

The  colonel  of  that  regiment  was  informed  of  the  supposed  discovery,  and 
readily  consented  to  a  review  by  Colonel  Barker  and  his  special  staff  of  the  Cap 
tain  and  Sergeant.  But  contrary  to  military  etiquette  the  Sergeant  took  the  lead 
as  they  walked  down  the  line,  and,  when  opposite  the  man  he  was  hunting  for, 
turned  to  his  superior  officers,  and  pointing  with  his  finger,  inquired  of  them  if 
they  ever  had  seen  that  man  before.  They  both  were  as  sure  as  the  Sergeant 
that  they  had  ;  and  notwithstanding  the  deserter's  protests  of  innocence  he  was 
arrested,  tried,  and  condemned  as  a  deserter,  but  managed  to  make  another  and 
final  skip  before  the  extreme  penalty  of  his  crime  could  be  executed  upon  him. 


How  To  Do  IT. 

On  the  9th  of  April,  '64,  the  brigade  had  just  halted  near  the  Richmond 
&  Petersburg  Railroad  when  General  Wistar  rode  up  in  front  of  the 
Twelfth  and  inquired  if  there  were  railroad  men  in  the  regiment. 

Captain  Shackford  and  five  or  six  men  at  once  stepped  to  the  front  and  saluted. 
Addressing  the  Captain  he  inquired  of  him  the  quickest  and  most  effectual  way 
of  destroying  the  road.  With  one  eye  half  shut  and  the  other  wide  open  and 
full  of  fun,  he  advised  as  follows:  "I  think,  General,  if  you  want  to  save  time 
and  make  a  clean  sweep,  you  had  better  detail  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  to 
guard  it !" 

The  General  laughed  at  this  unexpected  repartee,  and  continued  his  conversa 
tion  with  the  Captain,  thinking  undoubtedly  that  he  who  was  so  quick  at  a  joke 
would  not  be  slow  in  his  ideas  how  best  to  demolish  a  railroad. 


"WHAT    ARE    YOU    DODGING    AT?" 


It  was  on  the  Petersburg  and  Richmond  turnpike.  The  regiment  was 
exposed  to  a  raking  fire  from  a  rebel  battery  just  unlimbered  on  a  hill 
about  half  a  mile  in  advance.  A  young  staff  officer  rides  up  to  Captain 
Barker,  commanding,  and  tries  to  deliver  an  order  from  General  Wistar, 
but  is  too  badly  frightened  to  make  himself  understood. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers.  423 

Finally  the  words,  regiment,  un— under,  cov-cov— cover,  were  stammered 
out,  and  the  Captain,  first  sending  a  hot  shot  of — impatience  after  the  retreating 
form  of  the  message-bearer,  gave  the  command:  '•'•Attention  Twelfth!"  Just 
then  a  shell  or  solid  shot  came  screeching  down  the  turnpike,  and  so  familiarly 
near  that  the  boys  made  a  polite  bow  to  it,  as  soldiers  are  quite  apt  to  do  when 
these  impulsive  fellows  come  near  enough  to  demand  recognition.  "What  are 
you  dodging  at,  boys?  That  shell  didn't  come  within  half  a  mile  of  you," 
exclaims  one  of  the  line  officers  who,  hearing  the  order,  was  now  approaching 
the  line  to  take  command  of  his  company.  Hardly  has  the  last  words  left  his 
lips,  when  who-o-i-s-h-sh-sh  comes  a  shell  within  a  few  feet  of  the  speaker's  head 
which  he  instinctively  ducks  nearly  to  the  ground.  "  What  are  you  dodging  at, 
Lieutenant?"  was  at  once  the  repetition  and  answer  of  his  own  question  by  half 
a  score  of  voices,  accompanied  by  a  peal  of  laughter  in  which  the  officer  was 
obliged  to  join,  and  the  memory  of  which  makes  him  smile  as  he  writes  these  lines. 


SOUTH  CAROLINA  v.  MASSACHUSETTS. 

One  of  the  most  significant  and  remarkable  coincidences  of  the  whole 
war,  if  the  story  is  true,  occurred  at  the  battle  of  Swift  Creek.  It  was 
known  by  the  author  at  the  time,  that  the  severest  fighting  of  that  day  was 
between  South  Carolina  and  Massachusetts  troops,  and  that  two  regi 
ments,  at  least,  one  from  each  State,  wore  the  same  number  ;  but  for  the 
following  additional  facts,  which  seem  stranger  than  fiction,  he  is  indebted 
to  George  E.  Potter,  of  the  Twenty-fifth  Massachusetts,  in  the  history  of 
which  can  be  found  an  extended  account,  fully  verifying  his  statements. 

From  this  authority  it  appears,  that  not  only  one  but  three  regiments  from 
each  of  these  old  rival  states  met,  face  to  face,  to  decide  on  the  field  of  battle 
what  had  long  been  disputed  between  them  in  their  country's  forum  ;  and  that 
these  regiments  consisted  of  the  Twenty-third,  Twenty-fifth,  and  Twenty- 
seventh  Massachusetts  Volunteers  in  one  brigade,  against  the  Twenty-third, 
Twenty-fifth,  and  Twenty-seventh  South  Carolina  troops  in  the  opposing 
brigade!  The  commander  of  the  Palmetto  chivalry,  seeing  himself  stubbornly 
resisted  by  regiments  under  the  Bay  State  colors,  ordered  his  Twenty-fifth  to 
•charge;  and,  as  if  by  design,  it  was  the  Twenty-fifth  Massachusetts  (instead  of 
the  reverse,  as  was  once  boastfully  predicted)  that  "welcomed  them  with  bloody 
hands  to  hospitable  graves."  Colonel  Pickett,  observing  that  the  rebels  in  his 
front  were  getting  ready  to  charge,  ordered  his  men  to  cease  firing;  and  when 
within  thirty  yards  range,  he  gave  the  command,  '•'•lure!"  every  bullet,  nearly, 
found  its  man,  and  Suniner  was  avenged. 


CHRISTIAN  PATRIOTISM. 

"  Pity  and  need  make  all  flesh  kin." 

Sergeant  Osgood,  of  Company  C,  was  wounded  in  his  leg  at  the  battle 
of  the  Relay  House,  and  soon  found  himself  lying  in  an  ambulance  by 
the  side  of  a  Confederate  soldier  who  was  suffering  severely  from  a  bad 


424  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

wound  in  his  thigh.  Noticing  the  perspiration  in  great  drops  upon  the 
prisoner's  face,  the  Sergeant  raised  himself  upon  his  elbow,  and  with  his 
own  handkerchief  kindly  wiped  the  face  and  brow  of  his  fellow  passenger. 
After  repeating  this  two  or  three  times  in  silence,  the  Confederate  com 
menced  the  following  conversation  : 

"Well,  this  is  unexpectedly  good  and  kind  in  you,  Sergeant,  but  how  strange! 
Here  are  two  deadly  enemies,  side  by  side,  and  one  is  wiping  the  sweat  from  the 
other's  brow." 

"  Enemies !  I  did  not  know  that  we  were  enemies  before." 

"  Why,  you  belong  to  the  Union  army,  don't  you?" 

"Yes",  I  do." 

"  Well,  I  belong  to  what  you  call  the  rebel  army." 

"  I  am  aware  of  that,  but  I  see  no  reason  why  we  should  be  enemies.  I  don't 
know  as  you  ever  injured  me,  or  that  I  ever  injured  you,  and  why  sbould  we 
have  any  ill  will  toward  each  other? " 

"What  are  you  fighting  us  for  then?" 

"We  are  not  fighting  you.  We  are  fighting  what  you  call  the  Southern 
Confederacy,  only  wishing  to  injure  you,  as  we  are  obliged  to  in  order  to  destroy 
that ;  so  we  can  have  but  one  government,  and  that  the  good  old  one  of  our 
fathers,  under  which  we  can  all  live  in  peace  and  harmony,  as  heretofore,  and 
the  old  flag  of  Bunker  Hill  and  Yorktown  once  more  wave  over  a  united  and 
happy  nation." 

"Well,  I  never  looked  at  it  in  just  that  light  before,  but  I  reckon  you  are  right 
about  us  fighters,  if  not  on  what  we  are  fighting  for." 

"Yes,  and  I  am  right  about  that,  too,  and  the  right  must  and  will  prevail,  as 
time  will  prove ;  and  I  trust  you  may  yet  live  to  enjoy  the  privileges  and  bless 
ings  of  the  very  government  that  you  and  your  comrades  are  now  trying  to  destroy. 
What  may  I  call  your  name  ?  " 

"  My  name  is  Madison  A.  Brown  ;  I  belong  to  the  Twenty-fifth  South  Carolina 
regiment." 

"  By  this  time,"  relates  the  Sergeant,  "  we  had  arrived  at  the  Half-way  House 
where  my  friend  was  carried  into  a  tent,  and  I  have  not  seen  or  heard  from  him 
since;  but  I  have  often  thought  of  him,  as  doubtless  he,  if  living,  has  of  me." 


DIDN'T  CATCH  IT. 

Those  who  know  anything  of  the  momentum  of  a  solid  cannon  shot, 
however  slow  its  velocity,  or  have  heard  the  old  war  story  of  the  man  who 
lost  his  foot  by  putting  it  out  to  stop  one  slowly  bowling  along  upon  the 
ground,  will  appreciate  the  following  : 

While  driving  the  "Johnnies  "  back  across  and  beyond  Kingsland's  Creek,  and 
when  the  Twelfth,  in  line  of  battle,  was  slowly  following  up  the  skirmishers,  a 
solid  2o-pound  cannon-ball  came  bounding  and  trundling  along  toward  the  centre 
of  the  line,  as  slow  and  apparently  as  harmless  as  a  schoolboy's  truck.  Colonel 


New  Hampshire   Vohmteers.  425 

Barker,  seeing  it  coming  some  distance  ahead,  and  more  of  course  for  fun 
than  need,  for  his  men  knew  enough  to  avoid  it,  gave  the  command:  "  Open 
right  and  left,  and  let  that  ball  through,  so  I  can  catch  it" 

Knowing  that  he  would  "  catch  it"  if  he  tried,  he  wisely  concluded  not  to  try. 


"•  LITTLE  TOO  CLOSE." 

The  day  before  the  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff,  which  was  Sunday, 
Sergeants  Piper,  Dockham,  and  Paige,  of  Company  B,  were  lying 
together  on  the  ground,  with  the  last  named  in  the  middle. 

The  enemy's  sharpshooters  had,  as  usual,  taken  their  positions  in  trees  and 
were  making  their  rifle-balls  tell  for  the  southern  cause  whenever  an  opportunity 
offered  itself.  In  a  few  minutes  Sergeant  Paige  jumps  up,  exclaiming,  "Oh! 
oh  !  "  rubs  the  back  of  his  head  and  wants  to  know  who  has  kicked  him.  A 
bullet  had  gone  through  his  haversack,  against  which  his  head  was  resting  and 
which  was  filled  with  "hard-tack,"  grazed  the  hind  part  of  his  head,  and  passing 
down  through  his  shirt,  vest,  blouse,  and  rubber  blanket,  had  ploughed  up  the 
ground  for  a  foot  or  two  between  his  legs.  The  ball  was  dug  out  of  the  ground 
and  is  still  in  possession  of  the  receiver.  After  joining  with  his  companions  in  a 
laugh  at  his  being  so  amusingly  "kicked"  by  a  Johnnie  half  a  mile  or  more  away, 
he  lay  down  again  just  in  time  to  save  himself  from  another  bullet  that  cut  his  gun- 
sling  just  behind  and  above  him.  Thinking  the  calls  a  little  too  close,  the  trio 
made  a  change  of  base  for  a  restful  snooze  in  a  more  secure  position. 


ALMOST  A  PIUSONER. 

The  following  experience  was  written  by  the  lamented  Capt.  John  II. 
Prescott,  who  was,  at  the  time  referred  to,  an  aide-de-camp  on  General 
Wistar's  staff: 

When  our  forces  had  commenced  to  fall  back  from  Drury's  Bluff',  we  passed 
through  a  strip  of  woods  and  formed  a  line  of  battle  in  an  open  field,  to  hold  the 
enemy  in  check  until  our  artillery  could  be  placed  on  a  rise  of  ground  just  in 
our  rear.  Alongside  of  the  woods,  there  was  a  rail  fence  for  a  piece  and  then 
brush,  etc.  In  front  and  across  the  road  was  a  very  thick  growth,  through  which 
we  had  just  retreated. 

General  Wistar  and  staff' were  in  this  open  space  at  the  rear,  when  he  turned 
to  me  and  requested  that  I  go  up  and  order  each  regimental  commander  to  move 
back  to  the  new  position.  The  Twelfth  was  on  the  left,  and  I  went  to  the  right 
first,  gave  the  order  and  then  down  the  line  to  where  I  supposed  the  Twelfth 
was.  But  it  was  not  there.  I  supposed  it  had  moved  on  to  the  left  to  close  up 
a  gap  or  something.  I  had  not  placed  the  Twelfth  and  did  not  know  exactly 
its  position.  I  went  on  down  to  the  left  to  where  I  came  to  an  open  place,  but 
I  could  not  see  it  there.  I  went  to  the  rear  a  piece  through  the  woods  and  under- 


426  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

brush,  but  I  said:  "The  Old  Twelfth  isn't  to  the  rear,  I  know.  It  hasn't 
retreated  without  orders.  It  has  gone  to  the  front,  if  anything,  and  it  must  be 
the  other  side  of  that  road."  So  I  went  up  to  the  front  and  across  that  road, 
going  along  a  line  where  there  were  no  large  trees  but  a  few  twigs  and  brush, 
some  breast  high,  and  some  over  my  head. 

It  was  so  thick,  though,  on  each  side  that  I  could  see  nothing  to  the  right  or 
left.  I  crossed  the  road,  went  over  the  fence,  and  came  up  to  a  large  tree.  I 
said  to  myself:  "I  will  stop  by  this  tree  till  I  look  about  awhile."  But  no  sooner 
did  I  get  beside  this  tree,  which  stood  upon  a  little  knoll,  than  I  saw  the  rebels 
lying  on  the  ground  as  thick  as  they  could  be.  There  was  no  longer  any 
brush,  and  the  rebs  could  see  me  as  plain  as  day.  Twenty  men  at  intervals 
along  the  line  at  once  arose  to  their  feet  and  covered  me  with  their  guns  (I  was 
not  more  than  two  hundred  feet  away) .  They  hallooed  all  sorts  of  things  to 

rne  :  "  Hio ;  we've  got  you  now,  you  Yankee  son  of  a  b h!"  "Come  in 

here,  you  d d  Yankee  !  "  "  We  want  you,  Yank  ;  come  right  along  !  "  etc., 

etc.  I  said  to  myself:  "  Here  now  is  Libby  prison  and  a  lingering  death 
therein,  or  a  run  and  a  chance  of  several  bullet  holes  through  me."  I  at  once 
stepped  close  behind  the  tree,  keeping  my  eye  on  the  rifles  to  see  if  any- 
advanced.  My  first  impression  was  that  they  would  rush  for  me,  and  I  drew 
my  revolver,  thinking  I  would  sell  my  life  dearly  there  rather  than  go  to  Libby 
or  Andersonville  and  starve  to  death.  As  I  drew  my  revolver  they  hallooed 
again  all  sorts  of  things,  and  heaped  upon  me  hellish  epithets.  One  officer  I 
saw,  with  sword  in  hand,  motioning  to  me.  All  were  hallooing.  Still  I  kept 
cool,  while  my  wits  were  put  to  the  test.  I  cast  my  right  eye  to  the  rear  to  see 
if  that  offered  any  hope  of  escape.  About  twenty  feet  to  my  right  and  real- 
stood  a  very  thick  bunch  of  bushes,  higher  than  my  head,  and  within  a  few  yards 
to  the  rear  of  it  were  other  bushes  and  trees,  thickening,  as  near  as  I  could  tell, 
toward  the  rear,  but  I  could  not  tell  how  far.  I  said:  "This  is  my  only  chance, 
and  I  must  take  it."  No  sooner  had  I  thought  it  than  I  wheeled,  gave  a  bound, 
and  landed  behind  this  bunch,  and  you  never  saw  a  whitehead  scratch  gravel  for 
the  rear  faster. 

Crack!  crack!  crack!  went  the  rifles;  curse!  curse!  curse!  went  their 
mouths;  hiss!  hiss!  hiss!  went  their  bullets.  They  made  me  almost  deaf. 
Not  a  bullet,  however,  hit  me.  I  never  knew  how  I  got  over  the  fences.  I 
didn't  see  any  as  I  remember  ;  but  suffice  it  to  say  that  in  a  few  minutes  I  was 
back  with  General  Wistar,  to  find  that  the  Twelfth  had  been  moved  to  the  rear 
by  a  division  staff'  officer  in  a  hurry,  for  fear  it  would  be  captured,  from  that 
open  space  to  its  left  up  to  which  I  went  in  the  search  ;  and  I  found  I  had  been 
entirely  beyond  all  our  troops,  alone.  I  was  out  of  breath  and  had  some  bush 
scratches,  but  there  was  no  time  for  rest,  for  Butler  was  scared  and  again  on  the 
retreat. 


APPEARANCES  ARE  DECEITFUL. 

It  is  not  always  that  the  trimmest  soldier  is  the  best  fighter,  but  quite 
frequently  the  reverse.  Bandbox  soldiers  are  well  enough  for  dress 
parade  and  review  or  headquarters  etiquette,  but  style  does  not  last  long 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers.  427 

on  the  march,  and  is  of  still  less  account  on  the  battlefield.  In  military 
no  less  than  civil  life,  the  rule  pertains  that  it  is  unsafe  to  judge  from 
appearances. 

One  of  the  best  officers  in  the  regiment,*  who  went  out  a  private  and  returned 
a  captain,  and  who  was  gifted  by  nature  with  superior  intellectual  endowments, 
was  so  careless  and  indifferent  about  his  dress  as  to  often  excite  the  jests  and 
ridicule  of  his  comrades  ;  and  his  peculiar  manner  and  expression  of  countenance 
corresponded  so  well  with  the  laxity  of  his  toilet  that  a  stranger,  at  first  sight, 
would  naturally  think  that  his  place  in  the  mental  scale  of  human  existence 
must  be  very  near  the  bottom.  Yet  when  duty  called  he  was  always  there, 
ready  and  willing  to  do  his  full  share ;  and  after  the  war  he  became  honorably 
known  through  the  press  and  upon  the  platform. 

As  a  further  illustration  of  the  truth  of  the  subject  title  hereof,  we  are  reminded 
of  an  anecdote  about  one  of  the  best  fighters  in  Company  D. 

He  always  wore  his  pants  about  six  inches  too  low,  turning  up  the  legs  that 
much  at  the  bottom  to  keep  them  from  dragging  under  his  feet. 

At  the  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff  a  piece  of  shell  passed  between  his  legs  just 
high  enough  to  tear  away  the  seat  of  his  pants  without  severely  injuring  him. 
Quick  as  thought  he  whirled  and  started  for  the  rear,  holding  on  with  both  hands 
as  he  run  as  if  to  save  the  pieces.  But  he  was  only  unmanned  for  a  moment, 
for,  finding  no  loss  or  friction  of  parts  as  he  halted  to  examine,  he  uttered  an 
exclamation  of  disgust  at  his  own  laughable  mistake,  and  returned  as  good  and 
as  brave  as  ever  to  the  battle-line  of  his  regiment. 


"A  SLIGHT  CLIP"  OF  DRY  WIT. 

While  our  forces  were  advancing  against  the  outer  works  ol  Fort 
Darling,  the  rebel  artillerists  would  entertain  us,  now  and  then,  with 
full-shotted  salutes  of  broken  rails  and  such  other  pieces  and  chunks  of 
iron  as  they  could  pick  up,  which  would  shriek  and  screech  through  the 
air  like  demon  spirits  let  loose  to  terrify  and  destroy. 

On  the  morning  of  the  battle  at  Drury's  Bluff  there  was  a  volcanic  blast  from 
the  enemy's  batteries  of  railroad  iron,  solid  shot,  and  shells  that  blew  up  one  of 
our  caissons,  killing  several  men  and  horses  and  creating  considerable  excitement. 

John  Bent,  of  Company  B,  a  recruit,  but  a  good  soldier  and  comical  genius 
who  stuttered  badly,  was  severely  wounded  at  this  time  by  a  piece  of  scrap  iron 
or  shell.  Captain  Barker,  commanding  the  regiment,  seeing  him  coming  to  the 
rear  in  a  crippled  condition,  asked  him  if  he  was  seriously  hurt.  "  N-n— n-no— 
not  very,  I  guess,  Captain.  O-o-o-on-only  a  slight  clip.  The  d-d-damned 
rebels  fired  a  whole  b-b-ber-blacksmith  shop  o-over  here  just  now,  b-b-but 
nothing  happened  to  hit  me  except  the  ha-ha-han-han-vil!" 

'Captain  liohoiiou. 


428  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

"Two  HORSES  AND  A  NIGGER." 

Abraham  Jackson  was  the  name  of  a  colored  refugee,  who  came  into 
our  lines  at  Point  Lookout  and  acted  as  waiter  for  Doctor  Fowler  until 
drowned  in  the  James  river  at  the  battle  of  Fort  Harrison. 

When  the  enemy  sent  a  flock  of  10  and  12-pounders  over  to  wake  us  up  early 
in  the  morning  of  the  i6th  at  Drury's  Bluff',  quite  a  number  of  these  swift-winged 
messengers  of  destruction  alighted  near  by  the  hospital  quarters  of  the  Eighteenth 
Corps.  It  was  not  yet  hardly  light,  and  for  a  time  there  was  quite  a  commotion 
among  the  disciples  of  Esculapius,  where  confusion  and  diffusion  were  both 
sudden  and  rapid,  and  all  for  the  very  natural,  if  not  laudable,  desire  to  save  an 
effusion  of  (their  own)  blood.  But  "Abe"  was  as  cool  as  a  morning-picked 
cucumber,  and  bringing  up  the  rear  in  centre,  with  a  horse  on  either  side  of  him, 
he  exclaimed:  "  Goddy  mighty,  massuh ;  thought  one  while  you's  out  two 
horses  and  a  nigger,  suah  !  " 


"ANOTHER  CAN  OF  STRAWBERRIES." 

In  addition  to  the  incidents  of  Cold  Harbor  related  in  the  account  of 
that  battle  in  a  former  chapter,  two  or  three  will  be  here  given  in  con 
nection  with  the  following  : 

After  the  charging  column  of  the  brigade  had  been  hurled  back,  and  while 
the  enemy's  fire  was  sweeping  every  foot  of  his  front  occupied  by  our  troops, 
cutting  down  trees  and  men  who  were  seeking  protection  behind  them,  the 
irrepressible  wit  and  heedless  daring  of  John  Emerson,  of  Company  F,  made 
him  an  object  of  attention  to  friend  and  foe.  Standing  up,  entirely  exposed,  he 
made  mocking  and  insulting  gestures  at  the  Johnnies  until  from  a  rebel  battery 
directly  opposite  there  came  a  terrific  discharge  of  grape  and  canister,  as  if  sent 
purposely  to  sweep  the  Yankee  tantalizer  from  the  face  of  the  earth.  But 
untouched  and  undisturbed,  he  stepped  up  and  stood  out  even  higher  and  bolder 
than  before,  and  beckoning  toward  the  battery,  shouted  out:  '•''Good  enough, 
Johnny!  Send  us  over  another  can  of  strawberries  I" 

His  wit  and  apparent  absence  of  all  fear  attracted  special  attention  from  those 
around  him,  and  a  general,  standing  behind  a  tree  near  by,  took  pains  to  inquire 
about  his  name,  regiment,  etc. 


PICKED  UP  THE  WRONG  CHAP. 

This  from  the  pen  of  Sergeant  Clarke,  of  Company  G,  is  both  charac 
teristic  of  the  Sergeant,  and  illustrative  of  that  official  pomposity,  too 
common  in  the  army. 

In  the  afternoon  after  the  charge,  as  we  lay  in  front  of  the  enemy's  works,  I 
was  standing  behind  a  tree  and  Lieutenant  Heath  behind  another  near  me.  An 
officer  came  along  and  ordered  me  to  step  up  to  my  regiment.  I  told  him  I  was 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  429 

already  up  with  my  regiment,  and  that  the  one  in  front  was  not  mine.  He  said 
he  did  not  care  whether  it  was  or  not,  I  must  take  my  place  with  it.  I  said  I 
should  not  do  it.  He  drew  his  revolver  and  threatened  to  blow  me  through  if  I 
did  not  immediately  obey  him.  I  brought  my  gun  to  a  "  ready,"  and  was  getting 
earnestly  ready  for  him  too,  when  Lieutenant  Heath  told  him  that  if  he  knew 
his  business  he  had  better  be  about  it,  and  upon  this  he  left. 


His  ORDNANCE  RETURN. 

"Shall  feel  your  ruling  passion  strong  in  death," 

Captain  Bedee  was  always  very  particular  about  having  all  his  military 
papers  made  out  and  forwarded  in  proper  shape  and  time  ;  and  especially 
his  ordnance  returns. 

While  in  the  trenches  at  Cold  Harbor  he  was  struck  by  a  minie  in  the  head, 
and  rendered  senseless  for  a  while.  As  soon  as  he  recovered  sufficiently  to  know 
where  he  was,  he  looked  up  to  one  of  the  officers  standing  over  him  and  said  : 
"If  anything  should  happen  to  me  see  that  my  ordnance  return  is  all  right" 

A  few  days  after  this,  as  he  lay  in  the  hospital,  when  shown  the  ball  that 
struck  him,  he  remarked  :  u  Did  n't  the  fools  know  better  than  waste  their  pow 
der  on  my  pate,  when  they  had  tried  it  in  vain  with  2O-pound  shells?"  referring 
to  a  similar  wound  received  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  from  a  shell  that 
Sergeant  Tibbetts,  of  his  company,  who  was  looking  right  at  him  at  the  time, 
was  always  ready  to  swear  "  struck  him  right  square  in  the  head  and  stove  the 
shell  all  to  pieces  !  " 


A  TIMELY  PROTEST. 
Another  instance  of  sleeping  on  the  field  of  battle  is  here  related  : 

In  bringing  off  the  dead  and  wounded  at  Cold  Harbor  a  night  or  two  after  the 
terrible  charge,  Sergeant  Gordon  and  Benjamin  Thompson  run  their  poles  under 
a  fellow  to  carry  him  to  the  rear  and  bury  him,  who  proved  to  be  a  live  picket, 
stretched  at  full  length  upon  the  ground,  fast  asleep.  Entirely  exhausted,  he 
could  not  keep  awake,  even  when  right  in  the  face  of  the  enemy.  Although  he 
could  sleep  well  enough  among  the  dead,  he  did  not  care  to  be  buried  with  them. 

He  was  not  reported,  for  he  deserved  more  pity  than  blame,  and  those  who 
found  him  knew  too  well  how  to  sympathize  with  him. 


"  GOT  MY  BAIT  WITH  ME." 


For  pluck  and  luck  —  good  pluck  to  fight,  and  bad  luck  to  get  hit  — 
"  Captain  Shack,"  as  some  of  the  officers  used  to  call  him,  was  second 
to  none,  perhaps,  in  the  whole  regiment. 


43°  History  of  the  7\velftk  Regiment 

Riddled  with  minies  at  Cold  Harbor  he  rode  twelve  miles  to  White  House 
Landing  with  his  grit  and  wit  as  good  and  ready  as  ever;  and  the  first  recog 
nized  voice  that  Doctor  Fowler  heard  after  getting  his  hospital  ready,  and  wait 
ing  for  the  wounded  to  come  in,  was  that  of  the  little  commander  of  Company 
E,  calling  out  as  gleeful  and  jocose  as  ever:  "Doctor  Fowler  here?  I  'm  going 
a  fishing — got  my  bait,  all  cut,  with  me." 


"  Two  BALLS  AND  A  RAMROD." 

One  of  the  boys  of  Company  H,  while  in  front  of  Petersburg,  found 
one  day  a  ramrod  in  the  trenches.  And,  thinking  that  all  fight  and  no 
fun  was  getting  to  be  a  little  too  monotonous,  he  resolved  to  double  his 
charge,  top  out  with  the  ramrod  and  give  the  "Johnnies,"  for  once,  as 
good  as  they  sent. 

So  ramming  down  two  cartridges  into  the  barrel  of  his  gun  already  foul  from 
previous  service,  and  putting  the  ramrod  on  top,  he  waited  until  a  fresh  puff  of 
smoke  betrayed  the  cover  of  a  rebel  sharpshooter,  and  then,  taking  good  aim,  let 
him  have  it.  Whether  the  "  reb  "  had  reason  to  laugh  or  cry  is  not  recorded; 
but  though  mortally  wounded,  he  would  have  laughed  until  he  died,  could  he 
have  seen  our  comrade  turn  summersaults  backward,  while  his  gun  seemed  to 
imitate  his  motions  in  the  air  above  him.  The  fun  was  at  the  wrong  end  of  the 
gun  to  be  best  relished  by  the  holder,  who  for  a  long  time  could  not  say  anything 
in  reply  to  the  jokes  of  his  comrades  about  "two  balls  and  a  ramrod,"  because 
he  had  the  mumps  in  his  right  jaw  and  —  shoulder. 

It  was  a  picture  realistic, 

But  more  comical  than  artistic. 


FORAGING  BETWEEN  THE  LINES. 

In  the  late  Summer  and  early  Fall  of  '64,  while  Grant's  line  confronted 
Lee's  from  north  of  the  James  to  nearly  the  South  Side  Railroad,  there 
was  much  amusement,  not  unmixed,  however,  with  danger,  in  the  night 
foraging  excursions  of  the  boys  in  search  of  potatoes,  corn,  onions,  mel 
ons,  etc.,  that  happened  to  be  growing  between  the  lines.  It  must  be 
remembered  that  at  this  time  the  lines  were  closely  drawn,  only  a  few 
rods  apart  in  many  places,  and  a  sight  by  day,  or  a  sound  by  night,  on 
one  side,  was  sure  to  invite  a  bullet  from  the  other.  But  what  was  a 
piece  of  rebel  lead,  compared  with  a  mess  of  sweet  potatoes  or  corn  to 
roast,  onions  for  a  soup,  or  a  nice  watermelon  for  dessert,  after  a  dry 
breakfast  of  "salt  horse"  and  "hard-tack"?  Certainly  nothing;  for 
was  n't  one  a  tempting  rarity,  while  the  other  was  altogether  too  common 
to  be  hardly  respected? 


Ne-w  Hampshire   Volunteers.  431 

Many  a  "  vet"  in  reading  this  will  smile  as  memory  recalls  his  own  or 
a  comrade's  experience  in  search  of  some  palatable  anti-scorbutic  grown 
in  the  "  sacred  soil"  of  Virginia,  and  one  of  the  "  Dirty  Dozen"  *  will 
recognize  himself  as  the  hero  of  the  following  story: 

It  was  just  about  dark  enough  to  see  but  not  be  seen,  and  the  melon  patch  was 
but  a  few  rods  in  front  of  our  line,  as  carefully  located  by  one  of  Company  F 
boys  before  night.  So  he  quickly  but  noiselessly  creeps  over  the  breastwork  and 
crawling  along  "  on  all  fours,"  soon  finds  himself  among  the  vines,  where  he 

O  O 

feels  and  squints  for  the  luscious  fruit.  But  finding  only  some  small  green  speci 
mens  left,  he  ventures  a  little  farther  out,  but  still  finding  none  worthy  of  capture, 
and  not  wishing  to  return  to  be  laughed  at  for  so  much  danger  and  pains  with 
nothing  to  show  for  it  all,  he  concludes,  after  holding  a  council  of  war  with  him 
self,  that  he  will  reinforce  with  new  courage,  crawl  beyond  the  middle  line  and 
prove 

"  That  he,  alone,  is  sure  of  luck 

Who  shows  himself  most  full  of  pluck.'1 

Scarcely  has  he  commenced  to  put  this  resolution  into  motion  when,  as  if 
already  proving  the  truth  of  the  couplet,  he  espies  dimly  through  the  darkness, 
but  a  few  feet  ahead  of  him,  a  large  melon.  But  now  he  halts,  stretches  and 
flattens  like  a  toad,  for  he  thinks  he  hears  the  click  of  a  gun  lock.  In  breathless 
silence  he  lies  and  listens,  and  gazes  into  the  darkness.  He  hears  nothing  now 
but  the  beating  of  his  own  heart,  and  sees  nothing  but  a  dark  spot  on  the  ground 
which  he  now  fully  believes  must  be  nothing  more  or  less  than  a  big  watermelon. 
What  else  can  it  be?  No  longer  willing  to  borrow  fe'ars  of  his  imagination  he 
draws  himself  up  into  creeping  posture  again,  and  commences  to  advance  ;  when, 
all  at  once,  out  of  a  vedette  hole  (that  our  young  hero  had  mistaken  for  the  big 
melon)  springs  a  full  grown  and  well  armed  "Johnny  reb,"  exclaiming:  "  Now 
I've  got  ye,  you  d  —  n  'Yank,'  "  as  he  thought  he  had,  and  was  intending,  doubt 
less,  to  take  him  prisoner,  but  the  game  was  too  quick  for  him  and  he  only  had 
the  satisfaction  of  sending  a  bullet  after  the  retreating  form  of  the  melon  hunter, 
who,  having  thus  opened  the  ball  of  a  regular  fusillade  for  some  distance  up  and 
down  the  lines,  contented  himself  to  remain  quiet  behind  the  works  the  rest  of 
the  night,  wondering  how  one  poor  soldier  could  be  the  innocent  cause  of  so 
much  trouble,  and  congratulating  himself  in  being  able  to  balance  the  account  so 
far  in  his  favor ;  for  if  his  pluck  did  not  get  him  the  melon,  it  was  certainly  his 
.good  luck  that  the  melon  did  not  get  him. 


A  RIGHT-EYED  SQUINT. 

Who  is  there  much  better  remembered  by  the  surviving  members  of 
Company  F,  than  the  jolly-hearted  youth,  scarcely  half  way  through  his 
teens,  who  used  to  act  as  "  marker"  at  Falmouth  in  the  formation  and 
evolution  of  the  regimental  line  on  parade  and  drill. 

*Name  given  to  tho  regiment  by  one  of  its  witty  members  after  the  Gettysburg  campaign.    See 
1 143. 


432  History  of  the  T-welfth  Regiment 

He  was  too  full  of  frolic  and  fun  to  ever  have  a  sober  face,  unless  when  sleep 
ing,  but  always  greeted  you  with  a  roguish  grin  suggestive  of  the  joke  or  prank 
that  was  pretty  sure  to  follow ;  and  then  he  would  run  away  with  an  explosive 
laugh  that  would  sound  something  like  the  bursting  of  a  coehorn  mortar  shell. 
Notwithstanding  his  years,  he  never  cried  baby ;  but  with  good  pluck  and  luck 
was  always  "present  or  accounted  for"  until  the  end  of  the  war.  One  day, 
during  the  siege  of  Petersburg  in  the  Summer  of  '64,  while  some  of  the  best 
marksmen  of  the  regiment  were  exchanging  shots  with  the  rebel  sharpshooters, 
our  young  friend,  wanting  to  give  them  a  right-eyed  squint,  himself,  begged  the 
privilege  of  doing  so  of  one  of  his  company,  who  had  been  for  some  time  busy 
swapping  minies  with  a  keen-sighted  "  Johnny,"  through  nearly  opposite  port 
holes.  With  a  caution  to  "  keep  his  eye  peeled"  the  rifle  is  loaded  and  given  to 
him.  With  a  contemptuous  nonchalance  he  thrusts  the  barrel  through  the  hole  in 
the  earthworks,  draws  back  the  hammer,  and  puts  his  cheek  to  the  stock  for  a 
death-aiming  sight.  But  the  swift  leaden  messenger  was  coming  instead  of 
going,  and  before  the  hammer  fell  upon  the  cap  on  his  gun  tube,  it  went  whiz 
zing  in  broken  pieces  through  the  cap  upon  his  head,  while  splinters  of  stock 
and  lock  played  tear  and  scare  with  his  face  and  hair.  For  once,  Fred  (there, 
you  've  got  his  name  at  last)  looked  sober;  and  though  the  boys  used  to  laugh  at 
and  joke  him  a  good  deal  about  getting  instead  of  keeping  his  eye  peeled,  and 
of  its  being  a  case  of  jump  instead  of  love  at  first  sight,  etc.,  it  was  some  time 
before  he  could  more  than  half  appreciate  it  all,  because  "he  couldn't  see  it" 
with  only  one  eye. 


DUTY  AND  DANGER. 

"  I  do  perceive  here  a  divided  duty.  " 

A  prominent  New  Hampshire  man,  who  had  been  sent  out  by  the  State 
to  visit  and  attend  to  the  wants  of  her  soldiers,  started  one  morning,  with 
Chaplain  Ambrose  as  guide,  to  find  the  Twelfth  Regiment,  then  in  front  of 
Petersburg.  He  was  acquainted  with  many  of  the  regiment  and  seemed 
very  anxious  to  see  them.  As  they  approached  Fort  Steadman  an 
artillery  duel,  on  a  small  scale,  opened  between  the  lines  as  was  almost 
the  daily  occurrence  during  the  siege. 

The  Chaplain,  taking  no  notice  of  it,  rode  unconcernedly  along  toward  the  scene 
of  action ;  but  the  state  dignitary  fell  behind,  and  so  lagged,  both  in  pace  and 
conversation,  that  the  Chaplain  sought  to  encourage  him  by  remarking  in  a 
humorous  way,  that  it  was  nothing  but  a  little  game  of  base  ball  by  the  battery 
boys,  and  that  there  was  no  danger  to  be  apprehended  until  within  range  of  the 
enemy's  guns.  The  faint-hearted  civilian  still  kept  in  the  rear,  but  slowly  and 
silently  followed  after,  until  a  stray  shot,  reaching  a  little  farther  than  the  others, 
dropped  down  and  exploded  fifty  or  seventy-five  rods  in  front  of  them.  This 
was  a  cautionary  signal  that  our  tyro  of  war  felt  duty  bound  to  heed,  and  reining 
up  his  horse  so  quickly  as  almost  to  unseat  himself,  he  told  the  Chaplain  that  he 
could  not  possibly  consent  to  go  any  farther.  "Not  that  I'm  any  afraid,"  he 
continued,  "  nor  anything  of  that  kind,  I  would  n't  have  you  think ;  but  duty  to 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  433 

my  family  and  to  my  office  forbid  that  I  needlessly  expose  myself.  It  is  different, 
you  know,  with  you,  Chaplain,  for  you  have  got  no  family  to  provide  for,  or 
to  mourn  for  you,  and  you  cannot  appreciate  my  feelings.  I  think  I  had  better 
go  back  to  City  Point."  The  Chaplain  thought  so  too,  and  so  they  separated; 
one  to  the  rear  in  duty  to  his  family  and  his  office,  and  the  other  to  the  front  in 
dutv  to  his  country  and  his  God. 

When  words  assert  and  acts  deny, 
'Tis  plain  to  see  which  tell  the  lie. 


THE  DEATH  OF  POOR  CLIPPER. 
"  Let  not  him  that  girdeth  on  his  harness  boast  himself,  as  he  that  putteth  it  off." 

One  day  when  the  regiment  was  in  the  reserve  camp  in  the  ravine 
in  front  of  Petersburg,  and  the  enemy  were  unusually  liberal  with 
conical-percussion  and  spherical-fuse,  Colonel  Barker  and  Adjutant 
Heath  thought  they  would  take  a  short  tour  of  observation  on  the  left, 
to  see  how  General  Grant  was  progressing  in  that  direction.* 

Their  horses  had  been  saddled  and  brought  to  their  tents,  that  stood  side  by 
side,  ready  for  mounting.  Colonel  Barker  had  passed  out  of  his  tent  and  stood 
by  his  horse's  head,  talking  with  the  Adjutant  about  the  superior  merits  of  his 
charger,  and  jokingly  asked  him  if  he  didn't  wish  he  had  as  good  a  one,  etc. 

Scarcely  were  the  words  spoken,  and  before  the  Adjutant  could  reply,  there  was 
a  -whuzz  and  a  thud  and  the  horse  lay  dead  at  the  Colonel's  feet,  with  a  12-pounder 
hole  through  his  body. 

This  equine  war  veteran,  whose  strange  history  as  well  as  death  deserves 
mention,  was  bought  in  New  Hampshire  by  Adjutant  Bedee,  as  his  war  steed, 
before  the  regiment  went  to  the  front ;  and  when,  after  the  battle  of  Chancellors- 
ville,  that  officer  ended  his  military  career,  he  sold  him  to  Captain  Langley,  then 
in  command  of  the  regiment;  and  when  he,  also,  left  the  service  he  was  bought 
by  Captain  Barker. 

He  was  named  "  Clipper,"  because  it  turned  out  to  the  sorrow  of  the  thief,  who 
was  afterward  apprehended,  and  his  purchaser,  who  had  to  pay  for  him  twice, 
that  he  had  been  stolen  from  a  man  in  the  State  of  Maine,  and  his  hair  clipped 
oft",  so  that  he  could  not  be  so  easily  followed  or  identified.  And  when  he  fell, 
so  many  miles  away  from  the  quiet,  green  pastures  of  his  early  home,  the  miser 
able  thief,  who  had  thus  been  guilty  of  indirectly  bringing  him  to  his  sad  end, 
was  serving  out  a  five  years'  sentence  in  the  State's  prison. 


SIGNAL  CONFAIJ  WITH  GENERAL  BUTLER. 

The  writer  of  this,  who  was  then  a  signal  officer,  stationed  at  "  Dutch 
Gap,"  had  the  pleasure  of  transmitting  through  the  lines  the  first  news  of 
the  fall  of  Fort  Morgan,  connected  with  which  is  the  following  rather 
amusing  anecdote  : 

28  *  See  page  222. 


434  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

One  afternoon  in  the  last  of  August,  1864,  he  succeeded  in  getting  from  a 
rebel  picket  a  copy  of  the  "Richmond  Whig,"  containing  the  news  of  the  cap 
ture  of  Fort  Morgan,  and  the  possession  of  Mobile  bay  by  our  forces. 

He  immediately  signaled  the  important  item  to  General  Butler.  In  a  few 
moments  came  back  the  interrogatory  response:  "By  whose  authority  is  this 
message  sent  ? " 

Answer:  "Upon  the  authority  of  the  "  Richmond  Daily  Whig,"  of  this  date, 
and  with  the  compliments  of  —  — ,4  signal  officer  at  Dutch  Gap,  who 

alone  is  responsible  for  sending  it." 

A  short  pause,  and  then  comes  the  reply:  "  I  have  the  paper,  but  there  is  no 
such  news  in  it." 

After  a  hasty  glance  at  the  paper  and  its  date,  to  be  sure  he  was  right,  the 
officer  sent  back  :  "I,  also,  have  the  paper,  and  it  contains  the  news,  verbatim, 
as  I  have  sent  it." 

A  longer  pause,  during  which  the  writer  was  wondering  what  the  matter  could 
be  and  what  would  come  next,  and  then  he  reads  through  his  glass  a  positive 
reiteration  ending  with  a  significant  inquiry  like  this:  "I  have  looked  the  paper 
through  again,  and  there  is  no  such  item  to  be  found  anywhere  in  it.  What  do 
you  mean  ? " 

By  this  time  things  were  getting  seriously  mixed,  but  remembering  David 
Crockett's  common-sense  maxim,  he  takes  another  careful  look  to  reassure  him 
self  that  there  is  no  squint  in  his  own  eye,  and  then  ventures  a  surrebutter,  to 
wit : 

"  I  beg  pardon,  but  I  have  looked  at  the  paper  again  myself,  and,  if  I  can  read 
plain  English  printed  on  poor  brown  paper,  correctly,  there  is  such  news,  viz.  : 
the  capture  of  Fort  Morgan,  etc.,  to  be  found  in  it." 

Quick  as  the  signal  flag  could  switch,  comes  back  the  order:  "Send  a  man 
with  that  paper  to  my  headquarters  at  once." 

The  order  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  the  carrier  instructed  not  to  return  until 
he  found  out  the  mystery,  if  he  had  to  stay  there  a  week.  It  was  now  nearly 
dark,  and  the  man  coming  very  near  being  drowned  in  crossing  the  river,  the 
paper  was  thoroughly  soaked  when  handed  in  for  the  General's  inspection. 
The  sequel  is,  there  was  a  morning  and  evening  issue  of  the  "  Daily  Whig," 
which  was  just  then  interesting  neivs  to  the  officer. 


"WHAT'S  IN  A  NAME?" 

Well,  a  good  deal  sometimes,  especially  if  it  happens  to  be  of  Polish 
origin,  as  the  signal  officer,  referred  to  in  the  last  anecdote,  thought  one  day 
when  communicating  with  one  of  Kosciusko's  liberty-loving  descendants. 

He  had  been  trying  in  vain  for  some  time  to  make  out  what  kind  of  an  ending 
that  a  new  officer,  with  whom  he  had  never  interchanged  signals  before,  was  try 
ing  quite  as  earnestly  to  give  to  a  message  that  the  latter  had  been  sending  him, 
when  losing  all  his  patience,  after  several  calls  to  "  repeat,"  he  inquired  :  "  What 
in  the  name  of  common  sense  are  vou  trying  to  give  us,  anyway  ?  Cannot  make 
anything  out  of  the  last  part  of  your  message  but  a  crazy  jumble  of  letters." 


Nciv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  435 

To  the  great  but  amusing  surprise  of  the  puzzled  inquirer  came  back  the 
response  :  "  Oh  !  I  finished  my  message  long  ago,  and  am  simply  trying  to  sign 
my  name,  but  you  don't  give  me  a  chance  !  ' 

"  Spell  it  out  slowly  once  more  then,  and  I  wont  interrupt  you  again  until  you 
get  through." 

The  flagman  was  now  requested  to  write  it  down  while  the  officer  took  it,  let 
ter  for  letter,  through  his  glass  as  follows:  J-C-K-R-Z-Y-W-O-S-Z-Y-N- 
S-K-I  !  It  took  all  but  two  of  these  fifteen  letters  to  spell  his  last  or  family 
name ;  the  first  two  were  for  Julius  Caisar. 


ONE  SHOT  WAS  ENOUGH. 

It  was  strangely  true  as  has  been  often  proved,  and  as  every  old  soldier 
well  knows,  that  he  who  feels  the  bravest  when  safe  from  harm  is  usually 
the  greatest  coward  when  danger  comes  ;  and  that  the  exact  converse  of 
this  is  equally  true. 

Men,  as  a  rule,  do  not  boast  of  their  courage  and  prowess  so  much  to 
deceive  others  as  because  they  are  deceived  themselves.  They  feel  to 
have  what  nature  has  never  given  them  ;  while  many  a  war-scarred  vet 
eran,  on  the  other  hand,  seriously  feared,  all  the  time  from  his  enlistment 
to  his  first  battle,  that  he  could  never  face  the  bullets  of  the  enemy.  Of 
the  former  class  are  the  two  following  anecdotes  : 

One  afternoon  in  the  Summer  of  '64,  two  "Christian  Commission"  fellows, 
just  from  the  North,  had  found  their  way,  unchallenged,  to  the  top  of  Cobb  Hill 
signal  station,  on  the  Appomattox,  which  was  then  in  charge  of  an  officer  for 
merly  from  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire. 

In  answer  to  their  apologies  for  intrusion,  they  were  reminded  by  the  officer  that 
it  was  not  a  very  safe  place  just  then  to  take  a  view  from,  as  the  enemy,  every 
fifteen  or  twenty  minutes,  was  sending  over  spiteful  notices  for  him  to  vacate, 
in  the  shape  of  Whitworth  projectiles. 

At  this,  the  smaller  and  quieter  one  suggested  to  his  companion  the  propriety  of 
going  down  instead  of  unnecessarily  exposing  themselves.  But  the  other  laughed 
at  his  Christian  brother's  timidity,  with  no  enemy  within  a  mile  of  him,  as  he 
expressed  it  (he  little  knew  of  the  long  range  and  deadly  aim  of  a  Whitworth), 
and  boldly  exclaimed  :  "Well,  if  you  aren't  a  brave  one  to  come  out  to  war. 
I  should  just  like  to  be  under  fire  once  to  see  if  it  would  affect  me  as  much  as  the 
bare  thought  of  it  does  you." 

The  officer  had  no  doubt  now  which  of  his  two  visitors  was  the  braver,  and 
his  wish  that  the  next  shot,  momentarily  expected,  would  come  close  enough  to 
take  the  starch  out  of  the  pompous  one,  was  soon  granted. 

"  Well,  don't  be  impatient,  my  brave  friend,  and  you  may  be  lucky  enough  to 
have  your  ambitious  desires  gratified,"  said  the  officer,  without  waiting  any  reply 
from  the  one  to  whom  the  taunting  remark  was  directed.  Hardly  had  these 
words  been  spoken  when  the  flagman,  who  was  on  the  watch  for  the  flash  of 
the  gun,  cried  out :  "  Here  she  comes,"  and  the  next  instant  our  brave  hero  of 


436  History  of  the  7\vclfth  Regiment 

the  moment  before  reels  against  the  side  planking  nnd  goes  down,  apparently  life 
less,  upon  the  floor. 

With  no  color  in  his  face,  no  strength  in  his  muscles,  and  not  enough  talk  in 
his  tongue  to  utter  a  single  word  in  reply  to  the  bantering  questions  of  the  officer 
about  how  he  liked  it,  wanting  to  be  under  fire  again,  etc.,  he  was  lowered  down 
in  the  windlass  cradle,  his  legs  being  no  longer  able  to  use  the  ladders  that  he  went 
up  on. 

Only  a  few  words  more  need  be  written  of  this  Whitworth  shot  and  its  target : 

It  came  so  near  it  took  his  breath, 
And  frightened  him  almost  to  death. 


BRAVER  TO  SEND  THAN  RECEIVE. 

The  commander  of  the  double-turreted  monitor,  Onondago,  that  in  the 
Fall  and  Winter  of  1864-65  was  the  largest  and  the  only  first-class  war 
vessel  of  four  or  five  that  held  the  James  river  above  City  Point,  and 
guarded  that  place  against  an  attack  of  the  Confederate  ironclads  that 
lay  between  them  and  Richmond,  was  always  bragging  about  what  he 
would  do  if  the  "  rebel  rams,"  as  he  called  them,  should  come  down  the 
river  and  give  them  battle. 

The  signal  officer,  referred  to  in  the  last  anecdote,  was  then  in  charge  of 
"Crow's  Nest  Tower,"  which  stood  on  the  bluff  near  where  the  Onondago  lay, 
and  used  to  direct  the  shots  from  her  guns  that  were  sent  into  the  enemy's  lines. 

This  brought  the  two  officers  into  frequent  communication,  and  the  naval  com 
mander  would  so  often  refer  to  his  wish  that  he  could  aim  his  guns  at  the  rebel 
ironclads,  at  close  quarters,  instead  of  wasting  his  shot  by  throwing  them  at  the 
enemy's  works  a  mile  or  more  away,  that  the  other  said  to  him  one  day  :  "  Well, 
now,  I  '11  not  question  but  you  honestly  feel  all  you  talk ;  but,  if  the  rebel  rams 
should  commence  butting  you  with  their  steel  horns  one  of  these  mornings,  I 
would  n't  wonder  if  you  would  be  the  first  one  to  hoist  the  white  flag."  Although 
this  expression  of  opinion  was  as  sincere  as  it  was  plain,  yet  the  speaker  little 
thought  that  his  words  would  so  soon  become  literally  true. 

A  few  weeks  later,  January  23,  1865,  the  enemy's  ironclads,  with  their  long 
steel  prows,  did  commence  butting  against  the  Federal  chain  of  obstructions 
above  Dutch  Gap,  and  opened  a  severe  fire  upon  our  little  opposing  squadron,  of 
which  the  Onondago,  mounting  a  15-inch  smooth-bore  and  a  2OO-pound  rifled 
Parrott  in  each  turret,  was  the  chief  reliance.  Yet  no  sooner  did  the  action  com 
mence  than  its  brave-tongued  commander  ordered  his  boat  to  steam  down  the 
river,  and  with  such  cowardly  haste  as  to  run  through  a  pontoon  bridge  that  was 
in  the  way  of  his  flight.  He  was  afterward  tried  for  cowardice,  cashiered,  and 
sent  home  in  disgrace.  The  foregoing  is  but  illustrative  of  the  fact,  so  well 
known  to  every  old  veteran, 

That  he  can  be  relied  on  most, 
Who  is  the  least  inclined  to  boast ; 
While  those  impatient  for  the  fun 
Are  usually  the  first  to  run. 


JVcw  Hampshire   Volunteers.  437 

THAT  STUMP. 

John  F.  Webster,  of  Company  I,  while  confined  to  the  hospital  by  a 
severe  wound  received  at  Gettysburg,  was  a  listener  to  the  following 
amusing  conversations  between  a  sharp  examining  surgeon  and  some  of 
the  hospital  "bummers"  that  he  had  been  instructed  to  start  for  their 
regiments  : 

Walking  up  to  the  ward  master  —  a  great,  stout  fellow,  who  had  grown  fat  on 
much  food  and  little  exercise,  and  who  had  been  so  long  there  that  he  supposed 
himself  secure  from  all  liability  of  ever,  again,  being  sent  to  the  front  —  he  said: 

"Well,  sir,  what's  the  matter  with  you?" 

"  I've  got  a  lame  back  and  hip." 

"  From  what  cause,  sir?" 

"  I  was  struck  on  the  back  by  a  limb  that  was  cut  from  a  tree  by  a  solid  shot 
at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville." 

"  Take  oft' your  coat  and  pants  and  let  me  examine  you." 

"  O  there  's  nothing  you  can  see  now,  doctor;  but  it  injured  my  hip  and  spine 
and  —  " 

"The  spinal  cord,  and  affecting  the  sciatic  nerve,  causing  you  great  pain  at 
times,  I  suppose." 

"  O  yes,  doctor,  I  have  suffered  — 

"A  great  deal,  no  doubt,  and  there  is  more  or  less  weakness  of  the  nervous 
system  affecting  the  will  power  of  the  mind  and  causing  a  growing  disinclination 
to  move  round  and  control  the  muscular  action  of  the  lower  limbs." 

"Yes,  doctor,  that  's  just  it;  you  've  explained  it  better  than  I  could  myself." 

"Very  likelv ;  yours  is  by  no  means  a  rare  case  in  army  hospitals.  Now,  let 
me  see  if  you  can  shut  one  eye  and  stand  on  the  opposite  leg." 

The  sergeant  tries  the  leg  with  the  injured  hip,  and,  after  seemingly  great 
effort  and  much  wabbling,  fails. 

"Just  as  I  expected.  Now  try  your  other  leg,  and  see  if  you  have  any  trouble 
with  either  one  or  both  eyes  shut." 

"No,  doctor;   I  can  stand  on  this  leg  all  right." 

u  So  I  see,  and  I  think  I  understand  your  case  perfectly." 

Then  turning  to  the  physician  in  charge  of  the  ward:  "I  suppose  you  would 
call  this  a  case  of  acute  sciatica  complicated  with  incipient  locomotor  ataxia 
which,  without  heroic  treatment,  will  rapidly  progress  to  a  fatal  termination, 
would  you  not?  " 

The  ward  doctor,  now  both  amused  and  puzzled,  half  nodded  his  head  ;  but 
before  he  could  make  up  his  mind  what  to  say,  the  sergeant,  who  had  heard  the 
word  "fatal"  and  saw  the  nod,  could  wait  no  longer,  but  anxiously  inquired  : 
"  I  don't  know,  doctor,  as  I  really  understand  you.  Do  you  think  I  am  in  a 
dangerous  condition  ?  " 

"  Not  now,  sir,  but  you  soon  will  be." 
"What  do  you  mean,  doctor?" 

"I  mean,  sir,  that  you  shall  soon  have  a  chance  to  smell  the  invigorating 
fumes  of  burnt  powder,  and  take  your  share  and  chance  of  the  toil  and  danger 
of  your  comrades  in  the  field,  instead  of  bumming  round  here  any  longer.  You 

nil  start  for  your  regiment  at  8  o'clock  to-morrow  morning." 


438  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

By  this  time  several  other  hospital  loafers,  who  had  heard  some  of  the  conver 
sation,  began  to  tremble  in  their  nicely  blacked  shoes,  for  they  saw  that  their 
days  of  soft  bread  and  bed  were  numbered. 

The  next  subject  for  examination  was  a  lymphatic  specimen  of  the  Teutonic 
race,  "fat,  fair,  and  forty,"  who,  for  fear  of  the  very  danger  that  now  confronted 
him,  had  for  some  time  been  trying  to  get  his  discharge ;  having  a  much 
stronger  liking  and  keener  relish  for  sour  crout  and  lager  beer,  than  for  "hard 
tack  "  and  coffee. 

"Now,  sir,"  said  the  examining  physician,  "  we  are  ready  for  your  case.  In 
what  battle  were  you  wounded  ?" 

"  I  vash  no  hit  mits  ze  gun,  docsher,  but  me  vash  keek  mits  ze  mule  rightsh  in 
ze  shtoomick." 

"When  was  that,  sir?" 

"  Dat  vash  in  ze  battle  of — of — vhats  you  calls  it,  when  we  fights  mits  Sigel?" 

"  What  were  you  doing  with  a  mule  in  battle,  sir?" 

"  O  it  vash  ze  mule  vhats  done  mits  me.  Itsh  me  shtoomick  so  bad,  itsh  no 
goot  in  ze  army  mits  me,  shure,  docsher  ;  so  I  vish  zhu  give  mine  dishsharge." 

"All  right,  sir,  I  will  discharge  you,  now,  from  this  hospital,  with  orders  to 
report  to  your  regiment  for  duty  as  soon  as  you  can  get  there." 

"  O,  mine  Got !  docsher,  mine  Got!  I  ish  dead,  shure!  I  can  no  shtand  it! 
Zhu  no  tinks  me  shick,  cos  me  vhats  zhu  call  poor,  tamn  Dutchman  ;  zhu  no 
tinks  me  shick,  docsher.  O,  mine  Gott!  mine  shtoomick!  mine  fader  in 
himmell  vhats  shall  I  do?" 

But  no  amount  of  badly  mixed  Dutch  and  English  pleading  could  change  the 
doctor's  verdict ;  so,  leaving  his  second  patient  still  bemoaning  his  cruel  fate,  and 
remarking  as  he  passed  along,  that  it  was  another  bad  case  of  chronic  laziness 
and  constitutional  cowardice,  he  soon  hunts  up  another  victim  and  again  inquires  : 

"  Well,  sir,  how  happens  it  that  you  are  here?" 

"  I  fell  over  a  stump  and  — 

"  Fell  over  ivhat  stump,  where,  and  ivhcn?" 

"  On  the  last  night's  march  before  the  battle  of  Gettysburg." 

"  And  after  you  fell  over  that  stump  you  fell  out  of  the  ranks,  and  remained 
behind  until  after  the  battle,  I  suppose?" 

"Yes,  sir,  I  could  n't  help  it." 

"Oh,  no!  of  course  not;  for  you  are  the  seventeenth  man,  that  I  have  found 
to-day  in  this  hospital,  that  tumbled  over  that  very  same,  identical  stump !  You 
will  have  a  chance  to  talk  it  over  with  them  on  your  way  back  to  your  regiment 
to-morrow." 


How  HE  SAVED  His  MONEY  AND  His  LIFE. 

Sergeant  John  S.  Collins,  of  Company  H,  wa.s  one  of  the  unfortunate 
number  who  were  captured  out  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment  on  the  "Ber 
muda  Front,"  as  then  called,  in  the  Fall  of '64. 

As  customary  with  the  rebel  officers  and  their  soldiers,  when  they  made 
a  Yankee  catch,  every  prisoner  was  closely  examined,  not  so  much  to 
ascertain  if  he  had  any  secreted  arms,  as  to  disencumber  him  of  his 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  439 

"greenbacks"  and  watch,  if  he  had  any;  and  their  victim  was  consid 
ered  worthy  of  especial  congratulation  if  he  succeeded  in  saving  his  coat 
and  boots  from  exchange  for  the  worn-out  ones  of  some  of  his  captors. 

While  standing  in  line  to  be  searched,  Sergeant  Collins  noticed  how  his  com 
rades,  whose  turns  came  before  his  to  be  examined,  were  being  treated,  and 
quickly  improvised  a  shrewd  plan  whereby  he  saved  all  of  his  money,  except  a 
few  pieces  of  scrip,  which  luckily  consisted  of  but  one  bill,  and  that  a  twenty- 
dollar  one. 

Without  exciting  the  least  suspicion  (for  what  could  be  more  natural  than  that 
he  should  earnestly  desire  one  more  smoke,  before  losing  perhaps  both  his  pipe 
and  tobacco),  he  commenced  to  fumble  through  his  pockets,  and  pretty  soon 
took  out  his  jack-knife,  tobacco,  and  pipe,  and,  putting  the  latter  into  his  mouth, 
began  to  cut  from  the  plug  of  his  cherished  weed  a  good  hollow-hand  roll  to  fill 
it  with.  But  contrary  to  the  usual  custom  of  loading  pipes,  as  well  as  fire-arms 
of  a  more  dangerous  kind,  the  wadding  already  prepared,  was  put  in  before  the 
ammunition.  After  the  bowl  of  his  "  T.  D.  "  was  jammed  full  to  its  very  brim, 
our  cool-headed  hero  of  the  occasion  deliberately  takes  a  match  from  his  vest 
pocket,  and  giving  it  a  quick  scratch  down  the  right-hip  side  of  his  army  blues, 
proceeds  to  light  it.  This,  after  burning  up  two  or  three  matches,  and  taking 
a  number  of  apparently  hard  and  long  drawn  suction  drafts,  followed  by  as  many 
nearly  or  quite  smokeless  puffs,  he  partially  succeeded  in  doing ;  but  no  sooner 
were  the  cool,  independent,  and  almost  insulting  acts  and  manner  of  the  Sergeant 
noticed  by  the  officer  in  charge,  than  he  was  sharply  ordered  to  "  stop  smoking'." 
This  he  was  more  willing  to  do  than  the  officer  was  to  have  him,  though  he 
obeyed  the  order  with  great  seeming  reluctance.  He  was  the  only  one  of  that 
prison-bound  squad  who  saved  his  money,  and  he  told  the  writer  years  afterward, 
when  attesting  to  the  truth  of  the  story,  that  that  twenty-dollar  "greenback" 
saved  his  life,  referring  to  his  suffering  experience  at  Salisbury. 


ALL  THE  SAME. 

Though  a  cold  night  in  December,  '64,  the  orders  were  that  no  fires 
be  built  upon  the  picket-line,  so  that  the  enemy  should  not  know  the 
position  of  that  part  of  our  army. 

After  shivering  humanity  could  stand  it  no  longer,  Corporal  Tibbetts,  of  Com 
pany  G,  gathered  together  some  dry  sticks  and  leaves,  applied  the  match,  and 
stood  warming  his  benumbed  fingers  by  a  good  cheerful  blaze,  when  the  officer 
of  the  line  came  riding  furiously  up  and  angrily  asked  the  Corporal  if  he  did 
not  know  that  the  orders  were  to  have  no  fires. 

"  O  yes,  sir,"  was  the  cool  reply. 

"  Then,  sir,  how  is  this?     Do  you  not  intend  to  obey  orders? " 

"  Well,  I  guess  I  'm  puty  well  up  to  the  average  in  that  respect,  Colonel ;  but, 
con  dem  it  all,  I  might  as  well  be  shot  to  death  as  froze  to  death." 


44°  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

The  officer  saw  that  he  was  talking  to  an  "  old  vet,"  and  after  a  shrugging, 
"  Urgh  !  'tis  awful  cold,"  and  a  few  words  about  not  letting  his  fire  burn  up  too 
bright,  rode  along,  leaving  the  Corporal  in  command  of  his  post  with  his  com 
fortable  headquarters  undisturbed. 


IN  REBEL  PRISONS. 

What  the  Union  soldiers  suffered  in  the  prison  pens  of  the  South,  could 
it  all  be  written,  would  never  be  known  ;  for  words,  however  carefully 
chosen  or  skillfully  arranged,  can  only  produce  a  faint  somber  shading  of 
that  dark  and  damnable  reality  known  only  to  those  who  suffered  there. 

The  following  is  from  the  pen  of  Lyman  N.  Merrill,  of  Company  I, 
than  whom  there  were  few,  if  any,  better  soldiers  ever  captured  by  the 
enemy : 

I  wish  to  give  a  very  brief  description  of  how  I  lived  and  was  treated  while 
confined  in  the  rebel  prisons. 

I  was  captured  on  the  seventeenth  day  of  November,  1864,  while  on  picket  on 
the  Bermuda  line.  I  was  first  taken  to  Richmond,  and  stayed  one  night  in  the 
old  Libby  prison.  I  was  then  sent  over  across  the  street  to  the  Pembei'ton 
building,  where  I  remained  about  two  weeks.  Dick  Turner  came  around  and 
called  the  roll  every  morning.  I  was  next  taken  to  Salisbury,  N.  C.,  getting 
there  about  December  6.  O.  P.  Hall,  of  Company  D,  and  G.  W.  Dockham, 
of  Company  G,  and  myself  used  to  den  together  in  a  hole  in  the  ground.  We 
took  care  of  ourselves  the  best  we  could.  We  had  a  very  small  piece  of  corn 
bread  and  a  little  rice  water  that  they  called  soup.  They  gave  us  a  small  piece 
of  meat  once,  which  is  all  that  I  can  remember  of — and  it  was  a  very  small 
piece  at  that,  about  half  as  large  as  my  two  fingers  —  while  we  were  in  the 
prison.  We  were  drowned  out  of  our  hole  three  times.  We  had  to  get  out  and 
stand  in  the  rain  until  it  stopped.  The  hole  would  fill  up  full,  and  we  would 
have  to  dip  the  water  out  as  best  we  could,  having  nothing  but  a  pint  tin  cup  to 
do  it  with.  When  it  was  all  out  we  would  crawl  back  into  our  hole  again  to 
keep  from  suffering  from  heat  or  cold  as  the  season  and  weather  might  be. 

We  stayed  there  until  the  twenty-second  day  of  February,  1865,  and  what  a 
glorious  Washington's  birthday  it  was  to  us  to  be  relieved  from  such  a  place  as 
that !  No  pen  can  describe  the  suffering  there  was  in  those  prisons. 


THE  HISTORY  OF  A  FIVE-CENT  PIECE. 

"  ' Tis  strange,  but  true;  " 

The  following  remarkable  instance  of  the  fact  that  a  good  as  well  as  a 
bad  penny  sometimes  returns,  is  from  the  pen  of  Col.  Thomas  E.  Barker  : 

While  a  prisoner  of  war  in  Old  Parish  prison,  New  Orleans,  La.,  in  Decem 
ber,  1862,  like  many  of  my  associates,  I  became  quite  skilled  in  the  manufacture, 


Nciu  Hampshire   Volunteers.  441 

from  the  bones  in  our  rations,  of  rings,  charms,  Masonic  emblems,  etc.,  which 
were  eagerly  sought  for  and  purchased  by  the  many  visitors  who  were  allowed, 
on  certain  days  of  each  week,  to  see  us. 

On  one  occasion  I  received,  among  other  change  for  my  wares,  a  five-cent  piece 
bearing  date  of  1795  and  marked  with  the  initials  "  M.  K."  Regarding  it  a  rare 
specimen,  I  resolved  to  keep  it  to  add  to  a  collection  of  coins  that  a  friend  in  the 
North  had  been  for  many  years  gathering,  should  it  be  my  good  fortune  ever  to 
return  from  captivity  to  my  old  home  and  friends.  Soon,  however,  our  rations 
were  diminished,  and  even  the  supply  of  bones  run  out;  so  our  only  source  of 
revenue  stopped,  and  I  was  reduced  to  this  last  five-cent  bit.  Though  placing 
upon  it  a  greater  value  than  any  ten  dollars  I  have  ever  seen  since  the  war,  the 
temptation  to  buy  with  it  a  cup  of  molasses  one  day,  when  hard  pressed  by  the 
gnawings  of  hunger,  was  too  much,  and  it  went  out  of  my  possession  into  the 
great  Crescent  City. 

Two  months  later,  while  en  route  for  Salisbury,  N.  C.,  having  received  some 
money  from  home,  I  gave  one  of  the  guard  in  charge  of  us  a  dollar  to  buy  some 
articles  of  food  at  one  of  the  railroad  stations  for  myself  and  comrades,  but  he 
forgot  to  return. 

Several  days  after  arriving  at  Salisbury  prison,  where  we  were  confined  for 
the  next  three  months,  one  of  the  Confederate  soldiers,  who  was  cognizant  of 
the  mean  act  of  the  man  who  stole  my  money,  found  and  compelled  him  to 
restore  it  to  me.  To  my  utter  astonishment  but  great  delight,  there  among  the 
rest  of  the  change  returned  to  me  was  the  identical  five-cent  coin  that  I  had  so 
reluctantly  parted  with  at  New  Orleans  two  or  three  months  before.  My  fond 
ambition  and  desire,  intensified  by  this  circumstance,  to  take  it  to  my  friend  was 
gratified  a  few  months  later,  when  we  were  paroled  and  sent  home. 

Twenty  years  after  the  war,  my  friend  concluded  to  dispose  of  his  coins,  and 
the  old  five-cent  piece  came  again  into  my  possession ;  and  from  its  strange 
tenacity  to  follow  me,  it  now  has  a  permanent  place  among  my  most  valued 
keepsakes. 


WHAT  HE  HAD  COME  FOR. 

The  hero  of  this  amusing  incident  was  the  good  and  brave  private 
Nuclei,  of  Company  I. 

lie  had  just  returned  from  a  furlough  visit  home,  granted  him  for  superior 
appearance  and  deportment  in  the  competitive  trial  on  Chapin's  Farm,  when, 
one  day,  he  was  seen  in  dress  parade  trim,  marching,  with  his  musket  at  "  right 
shoulder  shift,"  toward  General  Weitzel's  headquarters. 

"  See  !  there  goes  Nudd  for  another  furlough,"  exclaimed  one  of  his  comrades 
to  another ;  "  and  I  '11  bet  you  he  gets  it,  too." 

They  did  not  know  that  he  had  got  a  little  too  much  of  that  which  brings 
trouble  instead  of  furloughs  already,  for  he  had  the  firm  and  measured  step,  erect 
carriage,  and  proud  bearing  of  one  of  the  king's  foot  body-guard,  and  he 
inarched  as  straight  forward  as  if  he  was  making  a  perambulatory  demonstration 
that  a  straight  line  is  the  shortest  distance  between  two  points. 


442  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

But  it  was  no  such  a  trifling  object  as  a  thirty  days'  furlough  that  he  had  in 
view  now.  His  aim  was  higher,  and  he  was  bound  to  bring  down,  as  the 
sequel  will  show,  much  bigger  game  ;  for  the  spirit  within  him  stirred  up  his 
blood  and  fired  his  ambition  to  dare,  if  he  could  not  do,  great  and  noble  deeds. 
Soon  he  reaches  the  General's  tent,  and  with  arms  already  at  a  "shoulder"  he 
demands  immediate  admission  as  a  bearer  of  verbal  orders  from  the  highest 

O 

authority  and  of  the  greatest  importance.  After  a  brief  parley  with  the  guard 
he,  by  order  of  the  General  who  had  overheard  the  conversation,  was  admitted ; 
and  marching  in  and  saluting  the  somewhat  surprised  but  more  amused  com 
mander  of  the  right  wing  of  the  Army  of  the  James,  he  assumes  the  stone-stern 
rigidity  of  a  soldier  statue,  and  speaking  in  tones  of  unquestioned  authority,  he 
says:  "  General  Wcitzcl,  1  have  cotnc  to  relieve  you  of  your  command!!" 


WHY  IT  WOULDN'T  DRAW. 

Of  the  same  quaint  and  queer  soldier  of  Company  I,  as  individualized 
in  the  last  anecdote,  another  may  be  here  told. 

He  was  a  rnason  by  trade,  and  was  one  day  employed  by  his  company  com 
mander  to  build  a  chimney,  with  fire-place,  for  the  officer's  new  log  house  that  he 
had  erected  with  much  care  and  pains  for  his  winter  quarters  ;  although,  as  will 
be  seen  elsewhere,  his  intentions  of  permanent  occupancy  were  never  con 
summated.  WThen  the  chimney  was  all  finished  as  well  and  nicely  as  green- 
pine  brick  and  mud  plaster  in  skillful  hands  could  make  it,  the  officer  was  greatly 
puzzled  and  perplexed  because  it  would  not  draw,  the  smoke  coming  out  of  the 
fire-place  instead  of  the  chimney  top,  in  spite  of  dry  boughs  and  pitch-pine 
stumps  to  drive  it  up. 

The  builder,  who  has  gone  to  his  quarters,  is  recalled,  and  asked  to  explain 
the  mystery.  He  mutters  something  about  the  chirnr.ey  being  green  and  the 
workman  being  dry,  the  last  part  of  which  the  officer  easily  interpreted,  and 
offered  to  give  the  mason  an  order  to  draw  a  canteen  of  whiskey  if  he  would 
make  the  chimney  draw. 

"Can't  do  it,  Capt.,  but  if  you'll  put  a  one  spot  'greenback'  with  the  order 
we  '11  call  it  a  square  cut  for  past  and  present,  and  you  shall  see  the  smoke  go 
heavenward  up  your  chimney  and  a  bright  fire  burning  in  your  fire-place  '  right 
smart  o'  quick.' " 

"  How  quick?"  demanded  the  officer. 

"  Quick  as  I  get  the  order  and  the  dollar." 

Thinking  that  impossible  from  his  own  experience,  and  that  the  chimney 
would  have  to  be  all  built  over  before  it  could  ever  be  used,  which  would  be 
worth  the  price  demanded,  he  scribbles  oft"  the  order,  pulls  out  the  money,  and 
gives  them  to  the  waiting  and  grinning  soldier,  who  at  once  mounts  to  the  top  of 
the  house,  and  runs  a  stick  down  the  chimney  until  the  paper  he  had  cunningly 
fixed  across  the  draft  is  broken  through,  and  the  smoke  goes  up  in  triumph  at  the 
magic  touch  of  the  witty  artificer,  followed  by  a  shout  of  laughter  in  which  the 
victim  of  the  trick  heartily  joins  ;  while  the  shrewd  perpetrator,  descending  to  the 
ground,  salutes  the  officer,  and  walks  back  to  his  quarters. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  443 


A  STORY  OK  THE  PICKET-LINE. 

The  first  day  the  regiment  went  out  on  picket,  after  returning  from 
Petersburg  to  the  Bermuda  lines,  was  the  time  that  the  following 
interesting  incident  occurred  : 

A  few  of  the  men  had  been  stationed  in  the  woods  at  some  distance  apart  and 
considerably  in  advance  of  the  other  pickets,  as  was  frequently  done  in  the 
absence  of  cavalry,  as  infantry  vedettes. 

One  of  these  men,  soon  after  taking  his  position,  thought  he  heard  something 
moving  among  the  leaves  not  far  in  front  of  him,  but  the  undergrowth  was  so 
thick  he  could  not  see  what  it  was.  After  listening  intently  for  some  time,  and 
when  about  to  give  it  no  further  attention,  thinking  it  was  nothing  more  than 
some  small  wild  animal,  he  heard  quite  distinctly  a  sound  like  the  breaking  of  a 
dry  limb  that  convinced  him  that  a  human  being,  and  probably  an  armed  rebel, 
was  approaching.  The  next  moment  and  the  Twelfth  boy  was  under  cover  and 
on  his  guard. 

Lying  close  and  still,  he  anxiously  awaited  further  developments,  feeling  all 
the  while  somewhat  nervous  at  the  prospect  of  having  a  single-handed  skirmish 
at  close  quarters  with  a  "Johnny  Reb."  His  first  impulse  was  to  fire  and  fall 
back  to  the  reserve  ;  but  thinking  he  might  be  mistaken  as  to  the  true  cause  of 
his  apprehension,  and  having  no  reason  to  suppose  from  the  sound  that  more 
than  one  animal,  human  or  brute,  was  within  danger  distance  of  him,  he  con 
cluded  not  to  run  until  there  were  some  more  threatening  signs  of  being  hurt. 
Feeling  almost  ashamed  of  himself  that  he,  an  old  soldier,  and  fresh  from  the 
deadly  lines  of  Petersburg,  should  be  now  frightened  at  what  might  prove 
nothing  more  than  a  squirrel  in  the  woods,  he  arose  from  his  crouching  position 
behind  a  large  tree,  determined  to  know  whether  his  imagination  was  playing 
fool  with  him  or  not. 

So  he  started  forward,  keeping  a  sharp  lookout,  however,  to  the  front  for 
whatever  might  appear.  Stepping  into  a  little  hollow  which  gave  him  a  chance, 
by  stooping  a  little,  to  take  a  ground  look  for  some  distance  ahead,  he  discovered, 
as  he  thought,  and  as  it  proved,  a  pair  of  butternut  colored  legs  moving  swiftly 
behind  a  tree.  With  a  soldier's  first  thought,  he  at  once  dropped  upon  the  ground, 
raising  his  head  just  enough  to  watch  sharply  the  trunk  of  the  tree  from  its  roots 
up  to  the  height  of  a  man. 

Although  he  had  now  a  slight  advantage  of  the  situation,  it  was,  nevertheless, 
not  a  very  desirable  one  to  occupy ;  but  there  was  no  safe  retreat  for  him  now, 
without  greater  risk  of  his  life  than  to  remain  where  he  was  and  watch  his 
chances  for  the  first  shot.  Besides,  he  was  no  coward,  and  did  not  like  the  idea 
of  showing  the  white  feather,  even  to  save  his  own  life.  Hardly  had  he  cocked 
his  gun  and  brought  it  to  a  range  sight,  when  part  of  a  face  was  plainly  seen 
upon  one  side  of  the  tree,  and  while  he  was  waiting  for  a  full-sized  head  or  bust 
for  a  target,  the  thought  occurred  to  him:  "What  if  I  should  fire  and  miss?" 

Having  nothing  but  a  muzzle-loader  to  fight  with,  he  would  certainly  then,  at 
so  short  a  distance  between  them,  be  at  the  mercy  of  his  foe,  who  could  either 
kill  him  or  take  him  prisoner  as  he  chose. 


444  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Whether  the  rebel  had  seen  or  only  heard  him,  when  he  advanced,  he  did 
not  know,  but  from  the  quickness  that  he  covered  himself,  he  was  quite  sure  that 
he  had  been  seen.  Some  little  time  passed  with  no  change  in  positions,  one 
hugging  the  tree  and  the  other  the  ground  ;  the  latter  feeling  he  could  lie  down 
and  watch  as  long  as  the  former  could  stand  up  and  wait.  At  any  rate  he  was 
not  going  to  fire  until  sure  of  his  game. 

While  his  antagonist  could  not  advance  except  at  his  peril,  he  could  easily 
cover  a  retreat;  but  this  gave  our  picket  man  no  especial  anxiety,  as  he  was  more 
interested,  just  then,  in  saving  himself,  than  in  slaying  his  enemy.  But  in  this, 
as  in  many  other  instances  in  life's  strange  experiences,  in  the  army  as  well  as 
out,  there  was,  between  apprehension  and  realization,  a  pleasantly  wide  and  safe 
space  for  self-congratulation.  The  Confederate,  as  the  sequel  will  show,  was  not 
of  the  "  Louisiana  Tiger"  type,  thirsting  for  blood,  and  concluded,  after  a  brief 
consultation  with  himself,  to  test  the  temper  and  disposition  of  his  patiently 
watchful  Lincolnite,  with  his  tongue  instead  of  his  gun. 

"  Halloo  there,  Yank  !      What  ye  hunting  for?  " 

The  voice  came  so  unexpectedly  that  it  startled  the  lone  representative  of  the 
Twelfth  New  Hampshire,  and  he,  for  the  moment,  did  not  know  what  to  say,  or 
whether  to  reply  at  all.  But  not  wishing  to  be  outdone  in  picket-line  socialistics 
any  more  than  tactics,  he  responded  : 

"  O,  I'm  not  hunting;   only  watching  to  see  what_ye>z<!  're  hunting  for." 

"  Well,  I  was  hunting  for  the  Yankee  pickets,  and  I  've  found  one,  I  reckon." 

"You're  right  for  once,  I  guess,  'Johnny,'  but  what  do  you  want  of  them?" 

"  I  wanted  to  find  out  if  the  d  —  d  niggers  were  still  on  your  picket-line,  but  as 
they  are  not  I  reckon  that  you'uns  and  we'uns  might  as  well  be  friendly  as  to 
shoot  each  other  for  nothing.  What  do  you  say  to  that,  Yank?" 

"All  right,  'Johnny,'  if  you  mean  what  you  talk." 

"  Well,  see  if  I  don't,"  was  the  quick  reply  of  the  Confederate  scout  —  for  such 
he  proved  to  be  —  as,  leaving  his  gun,  he  stepped  boldly  out  from  the  tree, 
"and  I  am  ready  to  meet  you  half  way  and  shake  hands  as  a  pledge  of 
good  faith." 

This  was  putting  our  hero  in  the  most  scary  place  of  all,  for  how  did  he  know 
but  the  man  carried  a  revolver  or  dirk  knife,  neither  of  which  he  possessed 
himself,  and  had  taken  that  way  of  getting  the  advantage  of  him.  But  not  wish 
ing  to  show  less  courage  or  manliness  than  the  rebel  had,  he  was  about  to  follow 
his  example,  when,  to  his  great  relief,  there  appeared  two  of  his  comrades, 
attracted  to  the  place  by  the  loud  conversation. 

Upon  seeing  the  new  comers  the  Southerner  again  put  himself  in  an  attitude 
of  defense,  but  being  reassured  that  he  should  not  be  hurt  or  captured,  if  he 
would  come  forward  as  he  had  proposed,  he  soon  had  the  privilege  of  shaking 
hands  with  three  Yankees  instead  of  one,  and  having  quite  a  long  chat  with 
them.  He  said  that  he  had  volunteered  to  go  out  in  advance  of  their  line  to 
ascertain  whether  the  colored  troops  were  still  in  their  front.  He  said,  also,  that 
"  we'uns  are  all  plumb  down  on  nigger  soldiers,"  and  if  he  had  found  one  of 
them,  as  he  expected  to,  he  should  probably  have  shot  him. 

With  promises  that  they  would  not  forget  the  lesson  of  the  occasion,  should 
they  ever  meet  again,  they  parted,  each  to  his  post  of  duty,  and  all  with  stronger 
impulses  of  brotherly  kindness  than  they  had  felt  before  for  years. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  445 

A  SOLDIER'S  PRAYER. 

Asa  Witham,  of  Company  D,  now  a  minister,  had  one  evening  as  usual 
offered  up  a  fervent  petition  to  "  the  God  of  battles,"  before  retiring. 

A  member  of  Company  H,  of  Celtic  descent,  who  had  very  attentively  listened 
in  his  own  tent  close  by,  concluded  he  could  improve  the  effect  as  well  as  profit 
by  the  example,  and  immediately  followed  in  a  serio-comic  style,  his  voice  rising 
higher  and  higher  as  he  proceeded  in  his  true  Irish  strain  of  eloquence  until  all 
the  occupants  of  the  adjoining  tents  were  eagerly  listening,  hardly  knowing 
whether  a  good  or  a  bad  spirit  had  taken  possession  of  him  whose  voice  had 
never  before  been  heard  among  the  morning  or  evening  orisons  of  camp.  But 
they  had  not  long  to  wait,  for  the  following  conclusion  of  his  prayer,  which 
came  unexpectedly  as  the  climax  of  a  most  earnest  and  patriotic  appeal  for  vic 
tory  and  peace,  must  have  convinced  them  all  that  his  Democratic,  if  not  his 
Christian  faith  was  Simon-pure:  "And,  O  Lord,  what  we  most  desire  and  must 
have  is  '  the  Union  as  it  was,  and  the  constitution  as  it  is ' ;  vue  ask  no  more, 
and  ivc  '//  take  no  less.  Amen." 


DID  N'T  WAIT  FOR  ANOTHER. 

This  brief  incident  shows  of  how  much  value  to  the  service  were  some 
of  the  new  regiments  sent  out  to  the  front  just  before  the  close  of  the  war. 

At  Chapin's  Farm,  after  the  capture  of  the  fort,  a  big  shell  came  over  into  our 
lines,  cut  off  quite  a  large  tree,  and  striking  the  ground  scooped  out  a  cartful  or 
more  of  dirt,  but  did  not  explode.  The  "  hundred-days'  men,"  lying  near  by, 
jumped  up  and  started  to  run  ;  but  seeing  veteran  troops  close  advancing  —  the 
Twelfth  New  Hampshire  being  among  them  —  were  shamed  from  continuing 
their  flight. 

Soon  another  shell  came  along  very  nearly  in  the  track  of  the  first,  struck  a  big 
pine  log  and  exploded,  filling  the  air  with  chunks  and  splinters  of  wood,  and 
pieces  of  iron.  This  was  too  much  for  the  u  Doughty  Dutchmen,"  and  they 
scattered  in  haste,  the  old  soldiers  jeering  and  hooting  at  them  as  they  ran. 


CONCLUDED  TO  TRY  HIM. 

One  day  while  the  regiment  was  encamped  at  Williamsburg,  Va., 
there  came  an  order  for  its  commanding  officer  to  send  a  lawyer,  if  he 
had  one,  to  brigade  headquarters,  to  act  as  judge  advocate  of  a  general 
court-martial  about  to  be  convened  for  the  trial  of  several  deserters  and 
other  offenders. 

Now  the  regiment  never  had  but  two  or  three  full  fledged  members  of  the  legal 
profession,  and  those  had  "played  out"  long  before  there  was  any  chance  to 
advocate  their  country's  cause  on  the  field  of  battle. 


446  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

But  the  reputation  of  the  "New  Hampshire  Mountaineers"  was  at  stake. 
Nothing  had  ever  before  been  required  of  or  from  them  that  they  could  not  per 
form  or  supply,  and  their  proud  commander  was  determined  that  they  should 
not  be  found  wanting  now.  So  he  sends  for  a  lieutenant  in  one  of  the  companies, 
and  shows  him  the  order.  Taking  in  the  situation  at  a  glance,  the  lieutenant 
began  to  protest  against  the  colonel's  evident  intention,  and  plead  his  ignorance 
and  inability;  but  he  was  cut  short  by  the  earnest  and  emphatic  remark  :  "  This 
regiment  shall  never  be  called  upon  for  an  officer  or  man  to  fill  any  place  or 
position,  however  responsible,  that  it  cannot  supply,  so  long  as  I  have  the  honor 
to  command  it;  and,  as  you  come  nearest  to  filling  the  bill  at  this  time,  you  must 
go."  _ 

This  settled  the  matter,  so  far  as  the  lieutenant's  duty  was  concerned,  and  soon, 
with  the  order  in  his  pocket,  he  was  on  his  way  to  General  Wistar's  headquarters. 
With  commingled  feelings  of  fun  and  fear  at  the  ludicrous  position  he  was  being 
pushed  into,  and  the  probable  result,  he  presented  himself  and  the  order  to  the 
adjutant-general  of  the  brigade,  who  with  a  smile,  that  had  something  more  than 
affability  in  it,  took  him  before  the  commanding  general,  and  introduced  him  as 
"  the  officer  sent  up  from  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  for  general  judge  advo 
cate." 

There  was  evidently  a  slight  touch  of  irony  in  the  peculiar  inflection  given  to 
the  last  three  words ;  nor  would  the  reader  wonder  could  he  have  seen  the  comi 
cal  looking  candidate  for  so  responsible  a  position.  Standing  there,  a  mere  strip 
ling,  but  one  half-inch  above  the  army  standard,  and  weight  correspondingly 
light,  with  an  indescribable  grin  upon  his  flushed  and  beardless  face,  he  looked 
more  like  a  half  grown  schoolboy  than  he  really  was,  or  the  result  would,  doubt 
less,  have  been  less  favorable. 

The  General,  looking  up  from  the  table  upon  which  he  was  writing,  gazed 
quizzically  at  the  lieutenant  for  what  seemed  to  him  full  sixty  seconds,  and  then 
with  a  furtive  glance  at  his  adjutant-general,  and  with  more  sternness  in  his  voice 
than  countenance,  made  inquisition  of  his  new  acquaintance  as  follows  : 

"  Are  you  a  lawyer,  sir?  " 

"  No,  sir." 

"  Have  you  ever  acted  as  judge  advocate? " 

"No,  sir." 

"  Have  you  ever  been  a  member  of  a  general  court-martial? " 

"No,  sir." 

These  three  questions  had  followed  each  other  in  quick  succession  ;  but  now 
came  a  pause,  the  General  thinking,  probably,  that  there  had  been  some  mistake. 
But  remembering  that  he  had  sent  for  a  lawyer  the  General  again  inquires : 

"Have  you  ever  studied  law  ?  " 

Here  the  unwilling  witness  was  touched  in  a  tender  spot,  for  the  truth  com 
pelled  him  to  answer : 

"Yes,  sir,  a  little,  before  I  got  into  "  Uncle  Sam's  "  employ,  but  I  guess  I  have 
forgotten  it  all  before  now." 

"  Sit  down  here,  sir,"  pointing  to  a  chair  near  him,  "and  let  me  see." 

The  result  of  the  examination,  which  was  short  but  sharp,  being  quite  satis 
factory,  the  young  judge  advocate,  after  receiving  full  authority  and  all  necessary 
instruction  for  opening  and  conducting  his  court  the  next  day,  returned  to  his 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  447 

regiment  feeling  much  better  satisfied  with  himself  than  when  he  went.  It  is 
but  justice  to  this  officer,  who  is  still  living,  and  a  practicing  member  of  the  bar, 
to  say  that  such  was  his  success  in  his  new  position,  that  he  was  promised  by 
General  VVistar  a  recommendation  for  the  position  of  a  post  judge  advocate  until 
the  end  of  the  war,  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel. 


SAVED  His  HEAD. 

Sergeant  Stockbridge,  of  Company  B,  who  was  one  deserving  the  hon 
ors  of  the  "  old  guard,"  always  used  to  be  picking  into  every  unexploded 
shell  he  could  find,  and  his  comrades,  who  used  to  call  him  "  Stodgum," 
had  often  told  him  that  his  curiosity  would  cost  him  his  head  some  clay, 
if  he  did  n't  look  out. 

That  day  came  while  encamped  at  Chapin's  Farm,  but  he  looked  out  just  in 
time  to  save  his  head.  A  big  fuse  shell  from  the  enemy  struck  in  the  camp  and 
rolled  down  the  company  street.  In  a  minute  Stockbridge  was  on  its  track,  but 
when  within  ten  or  fifteen  feet  of  it  he  noticed  a  little  puff  of  smoke  just  in  time 
to  drop  upon  his  face  before  the  shell  exploded. 


His  LAST  GAME  OF  CARDS. 

There  were  few,  if  any,  better  soldiers  in  the  Twelfth  or  any  other 
regiment  than  E.  G.  C.,  of  Company  D  ;  but  he  was  always  full  of  his 
fun,  and  no  one  liked  to  play  euchre  better  than  he  did. 

One   day,  when  the  regiment  was  near   Fort   Harrison,  he   and  three 
others  —  two  from  the  Ninth  Vermont,  and  one  from  the  Fifth  Maryland  — 
were  playing  a  four-handed   game,  using  a  rubber  blanket  spread  upon 
the  ground  as  a  table. 

Soon  a  shell  came  over  from  the  enemy's  line  and  exploded  so  close  to 
them  that  it  left  only  a  shapeless  mass  of  mangled  flesh  in  the  place 
where  but  an  instant  before  sat  his  partner  of  the  Fifth  Maryland,  in  the 
full  form  and  vigor  of  life. 

Though  none  of  the  others  were  seriously  injured,  yet  the  poor  fellow 
thus  sadly  and  suddenly  summoned  hence  was  not  the  only  one  of  the 
four  who  had  played  his  last  game  of  cards. 


How  HE  GOT  OUT  OF  IT. 


George  E.  Place,  of  Company  B,  who  was  detailed  from  the  regiment 
to  act  as  one  of  the  provost  guard  of  Whipple's  division,  a  few  weeks 
before  Chancellorsville,  here  gives  his  experience  of  the  evening  before 
the  main  battle,  when  Jackson's  forces  scattered  the  Eleventh  Corps  and 
struck  a  staggering  blow  to  Hooker's  whole  army. 


448  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

About  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  May  2,  1863,  a  day  I  shall  never  forget, 
we  were  standing  in  a  field  somewhere  near  the  plank  road.  A  squad  of  ten  or 
fifteen  rebel  prisoners,  captured  by  Berdan's  sharpshooters,  passed  us,  in  charge 
of  a  guard,  each  one  with  a  uniform  different  from  the  others.  We  learned  from 
the  guard  that  they  were  a  portion  of  a  Georgia  regiment.  A  squad  of  cavalry 
men  stood  near  us,  and  one  of  them  began  to  berate  the  passing  squad.  "  We  '11 
have  every  mother's  son  of  you,"  he  exclaimed,  "  before  we  go  away  from  here." 

One  of  the  rebs,  a  man  of  about  fifty,  hunch-backed,  and  with,  I  think,  the 
largest  nose  I  every  saw  on  a  person's  face,  with  an  ominous  shake  of  the  head, 
replied:  "  You'll  catch  h — 1  before  night." 

It  was  not  long  after  the  squad  had  passed,  before,  away  oft'  on  our  right,  out 
on  the  still  air  of  that  bright  afternoon,  like  the  eruption  of  a  volcano,  burst 
that  thunderous  roll  of  artillery  that  heralded  "  Stonewall"  Jackson's  attack  upon 
the  Eleventh  Corps.  A  few  minutes  afterwards  we  advanced  a  short  distance 
towards  the  Chancellor  House,  and  took  position  just  within  the  edge  of  some 
pine  woods.  Everything  in  our  vicinity  was  as  yet  very  quiet,  no  intimation 
having  reached  us  of  the  disaster  that  had  occurred.  Presently,  a  few  stragglers 
began  to  make  their  appearance,  coming  through  the  woods  from  the  direction 
where  the  firing  had  been  heard.  In  conformity  with  our  duty  as  provost  guards, 
we  ordered  them  to  fall  in  on  the  left  of  our  company,  which  each  one  quietly 
did  as  he  came  along. 

The  stragglers  continued  to  increase,  and  it  was  not  long  before  the  number 
exceeded  our  own  company.  As  yet,  no  one  had  given  any  account  of  them 
selves  as>  to  how  they  came  to  be  there.  Probably  their  silence  was  owing  to  the 
fact  that  they  were  skulkers,  and  felt  ashamed  of  their  conduct.  More  and  more 
numerous  they  appeared,  coming  through  the  woods.  I  began  to  suspect  that 
something  was  wrong.  I  turned  and  looked  at  our  captain.  A  troubled,  inquir 
ing  look  rested  on  his  face.  Looking  at  the  increasing  stream  of  soldiers,  he 
finally  exclaimed  :  "  What  does  this  mean?" 

A  soldier,  evidently  a  German,  excitedly  replied:  "You  had  better  get  out  of 
dis  as  quick  as  you  can.  De  rebs  are  right  on  our  heels  !  "  The  next  instant, 
one  dense  mass  of  men  came  pouring  through  the  woods  upon  us. 

"  Forward,  march  !  "  shouted  our  captain.  On  we  started,  just  in  advance  of 
the  retreating  stream,  soon  reaching  an  open  field,  where  a  German  battery  was 
busily  preparing  either  for  action  or  retreat.  They  were  directly  in  our  path, 
and  we  passed  between  their  guns.  We  passed  on  a  few  rods  further,  when  a 
scene  of  the  wildest  confusion  and  panic  ensued.  The  main  body  of  the  retreat 
ing  force  had  struck  us.  I  immediately  became  conscious  that  I  was  in  a  dense 
crowd  ;  a  crowd  that  was  surging  along  as  fast  as  legs  could  carry  them.  Sev 
eral  times  I  was  literally  lifted  from  my  feet,  and  it  required  the  greatest  exertion 
on  my  part  to  avoid  being  thrown  down.  The  boys  in  my  company  began 
throwing  away  their  knapsacks.  I  was  urged  to  do  the  same.  I  had  sixty 
rounds  of  cartridges  and  five  days'  rations,  besides  other  physical  comforts  in  my 
knapsack,  yet  I  did  not,  as  yet,  feel  like  parting  with  it.  I  passed  a  horse  lying 
upon  the  ground,  struggling  to  regain  his  feet,  with  a  hole  in  his  flank  as  large 
as  an  orange,  from  which  the  blood  was  issuing  in  jets.  It  is  a  mystery  to  me 
how  that  horse  could  have  received  its  wound,  for  no  firing  on  that  part  of  the 
field  had  then  occurred. 


Hampshire  Volunteers.  449 

Presently,  I  became  conscious  that  I  was  alone.  Burdened  with  my  knapsack, 
I  could  not  make  as  fast  time  as  the  others,  and  so  was  left  in  the  rear.  It  was  now 
dusk.  I  came  to  a  small  brook,  and  was  just  going  to  leap  over  it,  when  a  shell 
ing  suddenly  began,  coming  from  the  field  where  we  had  passed  the  German 
battery.  The  shells  had  scarcely  left  the  guns,  when  bang!  bang!  from  one  or 
more  batteries  posted  on  a  bank  not  more  than  ten  rods  ahead  of  me.  I  won 
dered  if  the  battery  we  had  passed  had  been  captured  by  the  rebels  and  turned 
upon  us,  or  if  it  had  fallen  back,  and  was  among  those  who  were  now  returning  the 
rebel  fire.  The  volley  from  our  guns  was  the  first  intimation  I  had  that  I  was 
running  into  the  mouth  of  batteries,  as  it  was  now  quite  dark,  and  it  would 
hardly  be  necessary  to  say  that  I  was  very  much  excited.  (I  have  noticed  that 
soldiers  don't  like  to  use  the  word  "frightened"  to  express  a  peculiar  emotion, 
and  so  it  becomes  convenient  to  use  the  word  "  excited.")  For  a  few  moments 
after  the  fire  had  opened,  I  felt  sure  that  my  last  hour  was  at  hand;  but  I  soon 
noticed  that  the  danger  was  not  so  very  imminent,  as  the  shells  passed  a  safe  dis 
tance  above  my  head. 

It  was  a  grand  pyrotechnic  display.  The  air  seemed  to  be  full  of  fiery  ser 
pents,  formed  by  the  burning  fuse,  passing  each  other  in  opposite  directions,  and 
every  one  hissing  like  a  demon.  There  seemed  to  be  many  more  guns  on  our 
side -than  the  rebel's,  and  the  firing  soon  ceased,  lasting  about  ten  minutes.  It 
was  a  grand  display,  but  I  did  not  feel  particularly 'anxious  to  stop  and  witness 
it.  I  thought  it  about  time  to  part  with  my  knapsack,  which  I  proceeded  to 
unstrap  as  quickly  as  possible.  It  seemed  as  if  never  before  it  had  taken  so  long 
to  unstrap  it.  As  soon  as  I  got  free,  I  changed  my  order  of  march  "  by  the 
left  flank,"  and  marched  ( ?)  up  the  ravine.  I  soon  reached  a  road,  and  had  a 
purpose  to  cross  it  and  go  on  a  little  further  so  as  to  be  .sure  of  getting  safely  past 
the  flank  of  the  batteries  ;  but  just  as  I  stepped  into  the  road,  a  rebel  gun,  planted 
in  the  road  to  my  left,  on  the  opposite  bank  from  our  batteries,  threw  a  shell 
which  passed  but  a  short  distance  above  my  head.  My  eyes  instinctively  fol 
lowed  its  course.  It  passed  on  but  a  short  distance  and  exploded.  The  glare 
revealed  the  fact  that  it  had  exploded  directly  over  one  of  our  guns,  and  but  a  few 
feet  above  it.  I  thought  to  myself,  "  if  that  shell  did  n't  kill  or  injure  some  of 
those  gunners,  it  is  remarkable."  I  learned  afterwards  that  one  man  was  killed, 
and  two  wounded  by  it.  That  shell  caused  me  to  change  my  purpose  in 
regard  to  crossing  the  road,  and  I  turned,  intending  to  keep  it,  but  I  had 
scarcely  turned  when  a  shell  from  one  of  our  guns,  right  in  front  of  me,  came 
.whizzing  over  my  head,  so  near  that  the  wind  of  its  motion  staggered  me; 
indeed,  I  could  compare  the  force  with  which  that  wind  struck  me,  no  better 
than  by  saying  that  it  was  like  a  big  barn  door  being  stood  up  in  front  of  me, 
and  then,  by  some  mighty  force,  dashed  to  the  ground  in  an  instant.  That  shell 
changed  the  order  of  my  march  .again,  and  I  turned  out  of  the  road  and  into 
some  woods  which  stood  close  to  the  road,  and  ran  on  about  twenty  rods,  when 
I  sank  to  the  ground,  completely  out  of  breath. 

The  firing  soon  ceased,  and  all  was  quiet.  I  lay  there  about  an  hour,  and 
began  to  get  quite  rested.  I  thought  of  my  knapsack,  and  concluded  I  would  go 
back  and  see  if  I  could  recover  it.  I  soon  found  it,  but  it  had  been  rifled  of 
everything  except  my  shelter  tent.  I  picked  it  up  and  sadly  strapped  it  to  my 
back.  I  had  scarcely  done  so,  when  they  got  into  a  row  on  the  picket-line,  and 

29 


450  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

a  shower  of  bullets  came  whistling  around  me.  One  passed  so  near  my  neck 
that  I  felt  its  wind  stir  my  hair;  but  I  had  already  grown  to  be  quite  a  veteran, 
and  went  leisurely  on  my  way.  I  soon  found  our  captain  and  some  half-dozen 
of  the  boys.  All  night  long  the  boys  kept  dropping  in,  and  by  morning  all  but 
two  had  come. 


GENERAL  WEITZEL  TO  DOCTOR  FOWLER. 

On  the  evening  before  the  last  "on  to  Richmond"  was  sounded,  Doc 
tor  Fowler,  then  in  charge  of  Point  of  Rocks  hospital,  received  the  fol 
lowing  order  from  General  Weitzel,  commanding  on  the  north  side  of  the 
James  : 

HEAD  QRS.,  &c.,  &c., 

April  2,  1865. 
Dr.  H.  B.  FOWLER,  Snrg.  in  charge  Point  of  Rocks  Hospital: 

SIR, —  You  will  prepare  your  hospital  to  receive  one  thousand  wounded,  at 
once.  We  start  for  Richmond  to-morrow  by  light.  Hell  is  to  pay  and  no 
pitch  hot. 

By  order,  &c., 

G.  WEITZEL, 

.    Gen.    Com'd ''g. 


STILL  PATRIOTIC. 

On  the  day  of  the  capture  of  Richmond,  all  of  the  Union  soldiers,  of 
course,  were  in  good  spirits,  and  some  had  foolishly  tried  to  excel  their 
comrades  in  the  exuberance  of  their  feelings  by  the  aid  of  spirits  of 
another  kind. 

Daniel  Cheney,  while  passing  along  a  street,  saw  one  of  his  comrades  of  Com 
pany  E  sitting  on  the  steps  of  a  store  building,  looking  and  acting  as  if  he  had 
been  celebrating  at  the  expense  of  his  usual  soldier-like  appearance  and  deport 
ment,  as  well  as  his  manly  dignity. 

"  Why, ,what  are  you  doing  here?  "   interrogated  Cheney. 

"  O  Dan,  is  that  you  ?  I  'm  so  glad  (hie)  to  find  you.  I  've  been  hun-hunting 
(hie)  and  'unting  for  the  bo-bo-boys  till  I  can't  s-s-stand  any  longer." 

"  So  I  am  sorry  to  see.     You  are  evidently  in  a  bad  condition." 

"  Yes,  the  condi-d-dition  is  (hie)  is  very  bad,  but  the  s-s-sit-situation  is 
glorious." 

He  evidently  had  gotten  the  status  of  himself  and  the  army  slightly  mixed  up. 


THEY  TROUBLED  His  DREAMS. 

Anyone  who  has  journeyed  through  some  parts  of  the  South  will  appre 
ciate  the  following,  from  the  true  and  tried  Thomas  Lawler  while  in 
charge  of  the  jail  at  Danville,  Va.  : 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  451 

I  had  the  present  of  a  nice  cot  bedstead,  and  so  after  getting  through  my  duties 
at  the  jail  I  put  on  my  new  straw  bed  that  I  had  prepared  for  it,  put  my  cartridge- 
box  and  boots  under  my  head,  using  a  newspaper  for  my  pillow-slip,  and,  con 
gratulating  myself  on  having  so  rare  a  chance  for  a  good  night's  rest,  went  to  bed, 
and  was  soon  fast  asleep.  By  and  by  I  partly  awoke,  and  attributing  my  disturb 
ance  to  the  actions  of  the  jail  birds  that  I  had  charge  of,  said  :  "  Quit  your  fooling 
there  or  you  will  get  locked  up." 

Pretty  soon  I  was  aroused  again,  this  time  to  a  full  consciousness  of  my  situa 
tion,  and  jumping  up  I  found  my  cartridge-box  on  my  head,  the  newspaper  and 
blanket  at  my  feet,  and  could  hear  my  boots  going  across  the  floor.  As  soon  as 
possible  I  struck  a  match  and  what  a  sight  did  I  see !  There  was  a  whole  army 
of  all  ranks  and  grades,  from  major-generals  to  privates,  with  a  vast  array  of  the 
latter,  all  out  on  skirmish  drill,  except  a  strong  detail  of  pioneers  who  were 
clearing  the  field  of  all  obstructions.  Securing  from  the  latter  my  cartridge-box 
and  boots,  I  shook  my  blanket  and  threw  my  bed  out  of  the  window,  and  found 
quiet  repose  for  the  rest  of  the  night  upon  the  floor. 


"  THREE  HUNDRED  DOLLARS  AND  A  Cow." 

He  had  marvellously  escaped  unscratched  from  the  woods  where  the 
regiment  had  fought  at  Chancellorsville,  and  had  just  begun  to  congrat 
ulate  himself  on  his  good  luck,  when  up  jumped  half  a  dozen  or  more  of 
rebel  soldiers,  from  some  bushes  that  had  concealed  them,  and  very 
earnestly  invited  him  to  join  their  company.  Not  wishing  to  offend  the 
sensitive  spirit  of  Southern  chivalry  by  any  seeming  discourtesy,  and 
being  too  near  to  make  any  successful  pretension  that  he  did  not  hear, 
having  already  looked  them  in  the  face  over  the  barrels  of  their  leveled 
muskets,  he  concluded  to  accept  of  their  invitation,  whatever  might  be  his 
reception.  He  was  at  once  sent  to  the  rear,  and  the  next  day  started 
with  many  more  "blue  coats"  for  Richmond. 

Now  this  young  but  plucky  member  of  Company  E,  as  said  of  "  Bullv  Brooks  " 
of  ante-bellum  days,  was  "  a  good  fighter  but  a  poor  traveler,"  and  he  neither 
liked  the  journey  nor  the  destination. 

He  had  been  used  to  tramping  over  the  green-pasture  hills  of  his  native  town 
of  Holderness,  and  catching  the  bright-speckled  inmates  of  her  clear-running 
streams;  but  being  caught  himself  was  another  thing,  and  far  less  enjovable. 
He  did  not,  moreover,  quite  like  the  prospect  of  marching  with  blistered  feet 
through  forty  or  fifty  miles  of  Virginia  mud,  to  find  rest  at  last  within  the  walls 
of  a  rebel  prison;  and  so  he  went  up  to  a  man  with  long  gray  hair  and  beard, 
who  was  pointed  out  to  him  by  the  guard  as  the  surgeon,  and,  showing  him  the 
large  blisters  upon  his  feet,  asked  that  he  might  be  allowed  to  remain  with  the 
•wounded  and  disabled  prisoners  that  were  to  be  left  in  the  rebel  lines  upon  the 
field.  But  all  the  aid  or  sympathy  he  got  for  his  pains  was,  "  I  '11  risk  ve,"  the 
doctor  thinking,  no  doubt,  that  — 

Willing  feet  to  come  must  be  made  to  go, 
No  matter  if  blistered  from  heel  to  toe. 


452  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

With  an  angry  grind  of  the  teeth  he  turns  away,  and  immediately  commences 
to  do  a  little  thinking  for  himself;  and  about  the  first  thing  that  presented  itself 
to  his  mind  was  the  not  very  consoling  old  saw-toothed  rhyme, 

"  What  can't  be  cured  must  be  endured." 

Quick  as  the  clap  follows  the  flash,  when  the  lightning  "  strikes,"  a  bright  idea 
struck  him.  Why  not  supplement  the  somber-hued  old  adage  and  leave,  at  least, 
a  tail-end  margin  of  hope  by  adding,  "  unless  you  can  dodge  it" 

"Nothing  risked,  nothing  gained,"  kind  memory  at  once  brought  up  to 
reinforce  his  resolution,  already  formed,  and  while  the  guard  makes  another  halt 
to  take  in  a  new  squad  of  prisoners,  he  drops,  unobserved,  into  a  bunch  of 
bushes,  and  soon  the  officer  in  charge  marched  his  captives,  amounting,  now,  to 
several  hundred,  down  the  plank  road  en  route  for  Richmond,  leaving  the  lucky 
dodger  still  safely  hidden,  like  Moses,  in  the  bush. 

The  following  night  he  crawled  out  of  his  leafy  covert,  and,  finding  an  old 
negro  hut,  climbed  up  into  the  loft  and  was  soon  fast  asleep.  When  he  awoke 
it  was  nearly  10  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  although  greatly  rested  by  so  good 
a  dose  of  "  tired  nature's  sweet  restorer,"  the  demands  of  an  empty  stomach  were 
becoming  persistently  urgent,  while  he  had  not  so  much  as  the  crumbs  of  an 
empty  haversack  with  which  to  furnish  a  supply,  all  having  been  taken  from 
him  by  the  "Johnnies."  Here  was  something  that  could  be  neither  quickly 
cured  nor  long  endured ;  but  to  dodge  the  rebel  pickets  and  across  the  Rappa- 
hannock  river,  where  he  could  get  food  without  fear  of  recapture,  was  altogether 
of  a  different  size  and  kind  from  the  bush-drop  dodge  that  had  served  him  so 
well  the  day  before.  But  it  was  foolish,  he  thought,  to  give  himself  up  to  despair 
or  the  rebels  without  trying  his  luck  a  little  longer,  and  so  he  was  about  to  go 
down  and  walk  out  onto  the  field  and  play  the  lame  duck  dodge,  when  he  heard 
someone  moving  about  below. 

The  noise  he  had  made,  not  thinking  anyone  else  was  in  the  house,  had  been 
heard  by  the  rebel  citizen,  as  he  proved  to  be,  who,  after  listening  for  a  few 
moments  in  vain  for  some  other  sound  from  above,  started  to  go  up  the  ladder. 
Fearing  worse  treatment  from  him  than  the  rebel  soldiers,  and  having  nothing  to 
defend  himself  with,  our  hero  made  a  bold  leap  through  the  hole,  pushing  the 
man  oft'  the  ladder  by  hitting  him  with  his  shoulder  as  he  jumped,  both  landing 
with  a  crash  upon  the  floor  below,  one  upon  his  heels,  which  he  so  quickly  took 
to  that  he  could  never  tell  whether  the  other  struck  upon  his  head  or  back. 
Whether  the  citizen  or  soldier  was  the  more  frightened  or  hurt  will  never  be 
known  ;  but  whatever  of  evil  the  former  had  intended,  the  latter,  as  the  would-be- 
lame  duck,  had  escaped  by  the  use  of  his  wings,  and  such  free  and  rapid  motion 
of  his  legs,  until  he  reached  the  woods,  as  to  prove  him  more  of  a  land  than  a 
water  fowl,  and  having  the  locomotive  powers  of  an  ostrich. 

Under  cover  of  the  woods  he  hoped  to  remain  awhile  undiscovered,  and 
possibly  find  something  to  eat ;  but  he  was  soon  again  under  the  watch  of  a  rebel 
guard,  who  put  all  manner  of  questions  to  him,  as  to  where  he  had  been  since 
the  battle,  and  threatened  to  send  him  to  Richmond,  "  with  the  rest  of  you'uns," 
at  the  first  opportunity.  This,  he  pretended,  was  just  what  he  wanted,  so  as  to 
get  out  of  marching  and  fighting  for  a  while,  and  could  n't  understand  any  more 
than  they  could,  how  in  the  world  they  came  to  take  away  all  the  rest  of  those 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  453 

that  were  able  to  travel  and  leave  him  behind.  At  last  one  of  the  officers  said  to 
him  :  "  If  you  have  no  more  heart  for  the  work  than  you  pretend  to  have,  what 
did  you  come  down  here  to  fight  us  for?  " 

"Three  Jmndred  dollars  and  a  co~v"  was  the  quick  response  ;  at  which  they 
all  set  up  a  hearty  laugh,  not  only  at  the  idea,  but  at  the  quaint,  comic  way  he 
expressed  it,  with  the  peculiar  Yankee  pronunciation  of  the  last  word. 

•"Wonder  if  '  Uncle  Sam'  won't  give  us  all  a  k-c-o-w,  if  we'll  go  back  and 
work  for  him  on  the  old  farm?  "  jokingly  inquired  one  of  the  men. 

"I  reckin,  right  smart  he  would,  with  a  little  nigger  boy  to  milk  her," 
answered  the  prisoner  boy,  as  a  quid  pro  quo  for  the  "keo-w" 

Whereat  there  was  another  outbreak  of  laughter,  followed  by  a  free  and 
amusing  interchange  of  queries  and  jokes,  in  which  the  "funny  Yank,"  as  they 
called  him,  managed  to  hold  his  own  so  well  that  he  gained  the  good  will  of  his 
captors  and  was  told  that  he  might  "hang  'round  hare  and  tote  water  for 
3'ou'uns,"  thousands  of  whom  were  still  lying  on  the  ground,  wounded  and  dying, 
with  no  shelter  but  the  shade  of  the  trees,  and  nothing  but  the  dew  of  welcome 
night  to  cool  their  fevered  brows. 

In  a  few  days  the  badly  wounded  of  the  Union  arm}-,  as  he  was  informed, 
would  be  sent  across  the  river  under  a  flag  of  truce,  while  those  who  had  suffi 
ciently  recovered  from  sickness  and  slight  wounds  to  be  able  to  travel,  would  be 
marched  in  the  other  direction  as  another,  and  the  last,  squad  for  Libby  prison  ; 
and  then  he  would  have  the  pleasure,  as  he  pretended,  of  accompanying  them. 

It  was  now  only  too  evident  that  something  must  be  done,  and  that  quickly. 
But  ~johat,  ho~<,v,  and  ivhen  formed  around  him  an  adverbial  triangle,  to  escape 
from  which  presented  a  problem  about  as  difficult  of  solution,  as  that  which  so 
long  puzzled  the  brain  of  Pythagoras.  Indeed,  was  not  the  task  of  the  great 
Grecian  philosopher  easier  than  his  own  ;  for  he  of  Samos.  with  two  sides  given, 
had  only  to  find  the  third,  and  a  whole  lifetime  to  do  it  in  ;  while  he  of  the 
Twelfth  New  Hampshire,  was  completely  hemmed  in  on  every  side,  with  nothing 
given  him  but  a  choice  between  Libby  and  lice  at  Richmond,  and  liberty  or 
death  in  an  attempt  to  escape,  with  only  a  day  or  two  left  him  to  decide. 

His  choice  was  soon  made,  but  his  plan  of  operations  was  not  so  quickly 
decided  upon  ;  for  he  well  knew  that  a  hap-hazard  undertaking  was  too  uncertain 
to  rely  upon  where  so  much  depended  upon  the  result.  At  last,  prompted  by 
the  thought  that  had  often  recurred  to  him  since  its  first  happy  inception  and 
practical  test,  on  the  day  of  his  capture,  he  resolved  to  try  the  confidence  dodge. 
He  had  already,  he  believed,  won  the  good  will  and  confidence  of  the  captain, 
who  commanded  the  provost  guard  that  captured  him  the  second  time,  and  learned 
from  him  that  this  officer  had  a  sister  in  New  York  that  he  thought  a  great  deal 
of,  and  to  whom  he  was  very  anxious  to  send  word  of  his  being  alive  and  well. 

Here  was,  certainly,  a  slender  sprout  of  hope,  and  he  concluded  to  nourish 
and  cultivate  it.  To  his  great  joy  the  soil  was  congenial,  and  it  grew  and  flour 
ished  beyond  his  most  ardent  expectations.  He  made  the  officer  believe  that  he 
had  not  been  joking  about  his  being  tired  and  sick  of  the  war,  and  that  while  he 
did  not  like  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Confederacy  and  remain  in  the 
South,  as  suggested  to  him,  he  was  only  waiting  for  the  opportunity  of  a  furlough 
that  had  been  promised  him  before  the  battle,  and  that  he  was  sure  to  get  as  soon 
as  he  got  back  to  his  regiment,  to  skip  to  Canada,  where  he  had  a  copperhead 


454  History  of  the  TiveJfth  Regiment 

uncle  who  had  recently  moved  there  to  escape  the  draft,  and  then  old  "  Abolition 
Abe"  might  get  him  back  if  he  could. 

A  dish  so  \vell  cooked  and  seasoned  could  not  otherways  than  be  palatable ; 
and  so  the  rebel  captain  swallowed  it  all,  but  expressed  some  fears  that  the 
promised  furlough  might  not  be  so  easily  procured.  Being  assured  that  getting 
a  furlough  from  the  Northern  army  was  "  as  easy  as  falling  off  a  log,"  and 
exacting  a  solemn  promise  from  his  confidant  that  he  would  see  his  sister  on  his 
way  home  and  never  again  return  to  the  army,  he  promised,  in  return,  that 
he  would  try  and  get  his  Yankee  captive  across  the  river  at  the  first'  good 
opportunity. 

When,  in  a  day  or  two,  the  Union  army  sent  over  their  ambulances  for  the 
wounded,  fearing  the  captain  would  not  keep  his  promise,  or  fail  in  trying  to,  he 
tried  hard  but  vainly  to  elude  the  rebel  guard  and  get  across  the  pontoon  bridge 
on  his  own  hook.  But  the  officer  was  as  good  as  his  word,  and,  before  the  next 
morning,  had  sent  him  in  a  small  skiff  across  the  Rappahannock,  from  which, 
with  light  feet  and  a  lighter  heart,  he  very  soon  found  his  way  to  General 
Hooker's  headquarters,  and  thence  to  the  camp  of  the  fortunate,  but  sad  and 
sorrowful,  few  who  had  been  left  to  march  back  from  the  bloody  field  of 
Chancellorsville. 


QUICKER  LOST  THAN  FOUND. 

Here  is  given  an  incident  that  the  writer  forgot  to  connect  with  other 
brief  ones,  referring  to  the  same  battle,  as  one  printed  earlier  in  this 
chapter. 

Lyman  Hamblet,  of  Company  F,  picked  up  a  bass  drum  while  retreating  from 
the  shot-swept  field  of  Chancellorsville.  One  of  the  sharpshooters  then  under 
the  command  of  Captain  Locke,  who  was  a  witness  to  this  incident,  told  Hamb 
let  to  throw  it  away,  as  he  would  be  lucky  to  save  himself  without  encumbering 
himself  with  old  drums. 

No  quicker  were  the  words  spoken,  and  before  ihe  advice  could  be  heeded,  a 
cannon-ball  crushed  through  the  drum  and  gave  close  warning  to  the  Twelfth 
boy  that,  though  safely  off  from  that  ridge  of  death,  where  the  bodies  of  so  many 
of  his  comrades  were  left  to  be  buried  by  the  enemy,  he  was  still  upon  dangerous 
ground. 


ABRAHAM  LINCOLN'S  GREATNESS, 

As  shown  by  the  following  incident,  which  well  illustrates  the  great 
chieftain's  kindness  and  consideration  at  all  times  and  for  every  person, 
whatever  his  rank  or  condition,  was  of  the  highest  order  of  that  native 
nobility  that  only  belongs  to  the  very  few  God-like  characters,  who  by 
their  lives  have  blessed  and  honored  mankind. 

O.  F.  Davis,  of  Company  A,  while  in  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  at  Wash 
ington,  was  one  day  called  upon,  as  sergeant  of  the  guard,  to  permit  President 
Lincoln  to  enter  one  of  the  military  prisons,  at  the  door  of  which  he  had  been 


Nctv  Hampshire    Volunteers.  455 

halted  by  the  soldier  on  guard  there.  The  sergeant  said  that  his  instructions 
were  to  allow  no  man  to  enter  without  a  pass  from  the  provost  marshal  or 
General  Auger,  then  in  command  at  the  capital.  "  But  do  you  not  know  me?" 
asked  the  President. 

•'Yes,  sir,  answered  the  sergeant,  I  know  you  are  President  Lincoln;  but  my 
orders  are  strict  and  unqualified,  and  I  have  no  authority  or  discretion  but  to 
obey  and  inforce  them." 

"But  you  receive  your  orders  from  your  superiors  in  rank,  do  you  not?  and 
I  am,  as  I  suppose  you  know,  commander-in-chief  of  the  whole  army  of  the 
Union." 

"Yes,  sir,"  humbly  replied  the  sergeant,  who  was  beginning  to  doubt  the 
correctness  as  he  more  clearly  appreciated  the  delicacy  and  responsibility  of  his 
own  position,  '-but  I  received  my  orders  from  the  officer  of  the  guard,  and 
should  I  not  continue  to  obey  them  until  changed  or  countermanded  by  him, 
instead  of  any  one  else,  even  though  it  be  your  honored  and  respected  self?" 

"  Very  well,  Sergeant,"  was  the  calm  and  quiet  response,  and  a  few  minutes 
later  the  sergeant  was  sent  for  by  the  provost  marshal,  where  the  former  again 
found  himself  face  to  face  with  President  Lincoln,  and  trembling  lest  the  marshal 
was  to  severely  reprimand  him  in  the  presence  of  his  honored  and  distinguished 
visitor.  But  he  was  soon  gladly  assured  to  the  contrary,  when  the  President, 
without  waiting  for  the  marshal  to  introduce  or  explain,  simply  said  :  "•  Sergeant, 
you  have  been  sent  for  that  I  might  compliment  you  upon  knowing  your  duty, 
and  thank  you  for  daring  to  perform  it, " 

Thus  was  one  member  of  the  Twelfth,  as  the  whole  regiment  had  formerly 
been,*  noticed  and  honored  by  one  of  the  greatest  and  best  of  men. 


MARRIED  HER   "  JUST  THE  SAME." 
"None  but  the  brave  deserve  the  fair.'1 

• 

Ignorance  and  prejudice  are  intimate  associates,  and  it  is  because  of 
the  baneful  influence  of  the  former  upon  the  mind  and  heart  that  the  latter 
finds  a  lodgment  there. 

Every  old  soldier  knows  how  deep  and  bitter  was  this  prejudice 
between  the  northern  and  southern  sections  of  our  country  at  the  com 
mencement  of  the  war.  There  would  have  been  much  less  of  this,  if  the 
people  of  these  sections  had  better  known  and  understood  each  other. 
But  while  this  feeling,  to  a  greater  or  less  degree,  obtained  at  the  North, 
much  wider  and  deeper,  because  of  the  ignorance  of  the  masses,  it 
pervaded  and  penetrated  every  part  of  the  South.  It  can  hardly  be 
believed  now,  though  none  the  less  a  fact,  that  there  were  some  white 
persons  living  in  the  southern  states  when  the  war  commenced,  who 
actually  believed  that  Abraham  Lincoln  was  a  mulatto,  and  that  some  of 
the  Yankees  had  horns  on  their  heads  like  cattle.  Bitterest  of  all,  in 
feelings  of  pure  hatred,  were  the  southern  women.  This  can  hardly  be 

*  See  page  62. 


456  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

accounted  for,  except  upon  the  principle  that  "  the  sweetest  apples  make 
the  sourest  vinegar." 

A  good  anecdote  illustrative  of  this  intensity  of  feminine  dislike  of  all 
Yankeedom,  and  everybody  and  everything  therefrom,  is  the  following: 

Some  fifteen  years  after  the  close  of  the  war  a  bright,  active  specimen  of  the 
New  England  Yankee,  who  had  been  a  partcipant  of  the  "  late  unpleasantness" 
between  the  sections,  concluded  to  go  South  again;  but  this  time,  bearing  a 
message  of  peace  and  good  will,  instead  of  hostile  arms. 

Liking  and  prospering,  he  finally  concluded  to  make  a  life  settlement  there  ; 
and,  as  the  next  wise  thing  to  do,  bethought  himself  of  selecting  from  the  many 
beautiful  daughters  of  the  "  Sunny  South"  one  who  would  become  his  domestic 
partner  for  the  same  length  of  time.  Soon  he  became  acquainted  with  and 
attracted  toward  one  of  the  three  daughters  of  a  widow  lady  whose  husband  and 
one  or  twro  sons  had  been  killed  fighting  for  the  "stars  and  bars."  Things 
progressed  with  mutual  satisfaction,  and  with  no  announced  objection  from  any 
one  for  a  time ;  but  our  home  and  wife  seeker  had  noticed  such  a  difference  of 
temperature  between  the  maternal  and  matrimonial  atmospheres,  that  he  feared 
that  a  sudden  cold  current  from  the  former  would  produce  a  storm. 

Soon  the  cold  blast  came,  too  ice-like  to  be  pleasant,  but  not  soon  enough,  a's 
will  be  seen,  to  do  much  damage.  The  watchful  mother,  deeming  further  delay 
hazardous,  sought  an  interview  with  the  young  man,  and  the  following  conversa 
tion  between  them  occurred  : 

"  It  seems,  Air.  ,  that  you  and  my  daughter,  Zelia,  think  '  right  smart' 

of  each  other." 

"  It  seems  about  the  same  way  to  me,  Mrs.  ,  and  I  hope,  craving  your 

approval,  that  things  may  prove  as  real  as  they  seem." 

"  Xow,  my  dear  sir,  I  am  really  sorry  to  hear  you  say  so,  because  I  cannot 
share  with  you  in  any  such  hope,  even  if  mv  daughter  does.  Yet  I  am  more 
pained  than  surprised  by  your  earnest  avowal,  and  frankly  confess  that  I  am  some 
to  blame  for  not  speaking  to  you  before  about  it." 

"Am  I  to  understand,  then,  that  you  decidedly  object  to  your  daughter's 
reciprocating  any  affection  that  I  ma}-  have  for  her,  stronger  than  that  of  simple 
friendship  ?  " 

"  \  es,  sir,  most  decidedlv  so;  and  now  listen,  and  blame  me  not,  while  I  talk 
'plumb  straight'  to  you  what  I  both  feel  and  mean.  You  are  a  promising 
young  man,  and  have  been  so  correct  and  exemplary  in  your  deportment  and 
habits  since  coming  to  our  section  of  country  that  I  have  never  seen  or  heard  one 
single  thing  against  you.  Though  this  be  all  true,  and  that  I  myself  feel  more 
friendly  and  kindly  towards  you  than  I  care  now  to  express,  yet  it  is  equally  true 
and  much  more  certain,  that  rather  than  have  one  of  my  daughters  marry  a  full- 
blooded  New  England  Yankee  I  -void d  quicker  cut  her  throat!" 

This,  substantially  as  above  written,  came  to  the  writer's  ear  a  few  years  ago, 
from  the  tongue  of  the  aforesaid  Yankee  himself,  at  Morristown,  Tenn.,  where 
both  were  then  sojourning. 

"  But,"  added  the  narrator,  who  had  evidently  too  often  faced  hot  shot  from 
the  cannon's  mouth  upon  the  field  to  be  badly  frightened  by  the  same  salute  from 
a  woman's  mouth  in  the  parlor,  "I  married  the  daughter,  just  the  same,  and 
she  is  my  wife  to-day." 


Hampshire   Volunteers.  457 

WHISKEY. 

This  article,  which  the  boys  used  to  call  ''commissary,"  was,  para 
doxically  speaking,  both  plenty  and  scarce  in  the  army — plenty  for 
commissioned  officers  at  twenty  cents  a  quart  or  canteen  full,  at  the 
commissary's,  but  absolutely  forbidden  to  the  men  at  any  price. 

When,  however,  a  colonel  or  other  commanding  officer  of  a  regiment  or 
battalion  deemed  it  necessary  or  judicious  for  his  men,  because  of  unusual 
hardship  or  exposure,  he  could  make  requisition  for  a  barrel  of  whiskey 
as  a  free  treat  from  "  Uncle  Sam."  Of  course  the  frequency  of  these 
treats  to  any  particular  regiment  depended  more  upon  the  temperance 
ideas  of  the  colonel  than  upon  the  physical  condition  of  his  men  ;  although 
it  was  observable  that  many  commanding  officers  who  used  it  most  them 
selves  were  not  correspondingly  liberal  in  its  free  distribution  to  those 
under  them.  Perhaps  this  was  because  they  had  learned  from  their  own 
experience  the  folly  of  its  use.  But  it  must  not  be  supposed  because  the 
commissary  was  not  alloxved  to  sell  it  to  any  but  commissioned  officers 
that  the  rank  and  file  never  got  any  except  when  issued  to  them,  upon 
rare  occasions,  in  rations  of  a  gill  each.  Those  who  could  be  trusted  to 
make  good  use  of  it  —  and  their  number,  until  the  recruits  came,  was  but 
little  smaller  proportionately  among  the  privates  than  the  officers — could 
usually  get  an  order  for  a  canteen  full  from  a  commissioned  comrade 
when  solicited,  unless  the  situation  of  their  regiment  was  such  that  the 
officer  could  not  get  it  himself,  which  was  frequently  the  case. 

Sometimes,  moreover,  the  men  would  shrewdly  manage  to  supply 
themselves  with  liquors  of  some  kind,  not  only  without  the  aid,  but  in 
spite,  of  the  officers.  This  was  true  of  quite  a  number  belonging  to  the 
New  Hampshire  brigade  while  stationed  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.  :  and  it 
cannot  be  denied  that  the  Twelfth,  after  the  "  subs"  appeared,  furnished 
its  full  quota.  Money,  with  this  class,  was  of  no  value  as  compared  with 
anything  that  could  intoxicate  ;  and  some  of  them  would  balance  a  bottle 
of  whiskey  with  its  weight  in  gold,  almost,  rather  than  deny  to  themselves 
the  contents  of  the  bottle. 

This  fact  becoming  known,  together  with  the  information  that  a  very 
good  substitute,  called  "  apple-jack,"  could  be  procured  in  any  quantity, 
but  three  or  four  miles  from  camp,  for  less  per  gallon  than  many  of  these 
new  coiners  would  give  for  a  single  sip,  it  was  more  than  Yankee  cupid 
ity  could  well  withstand  ;  and  some  of  the  speculative  ones  taxed  their 
inventive  wit  to  procure,  transfer,  and  deliver  without  discovery.  It  was 
quite  an  easy  thing  for  almost  any  of  the  old  members  to  get  a  pass 
across  the  "  neck"  into  the  country  above,  but  to  get  back  by  a  guard 
who  had  special  instructions  to  carefully  search  for  the  very  article  that 
they  wanted  to  carry  in  \vas  quite  another  thing.  But  where  the  demand 
is  urgent,  the  supply  must  sooner  or  later  come,  as  it  did  in  this  case  ; 
and  so  when  the  boys  came  back  from  a  visit  up  to  the  "Pines"  loaded 


458  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

with  canteens  of  milk  and  big  pumpkins,  the  guard  was  too  much  inter 
ested  with  the  thought  of  luscious  pumpkin  pies  to  even  imagine  the 
beautiful  yellow  fruit  of  the  vine,  so  carefully  carried  with  the  smaller 
ends  up,  could  possibly  contain  anything  contraband.  Nor  did  the  most 
vigilant  guard  think  of  leaving  his  post  to  dive  beneath  every  string  of 
logs  that  the  men  used  to  raft  down  the  creek  to  see  how  many  jugs  and 
canteens  of  "  apple-jack"  he  could  find  hid  beneath  the  raft. 

Sometimes,  when  the  right  kind  of  a  man  for  this  smuggling  business 
happened  to  be  posted  at  the  "block-house,"  as  the  building  at  the 
narrow  pass  was  called,  the  "fire  water"  speculators  would  run,  until  the 
"  relief"  came  round,  a  very  successful  business  ;  for  the  guard,  expecting 
a  liberal  share  of  the  profits,  could  not  of  course  be  supposed  to  know  by 
sight,  smell,  or  taste  the  difference  between  "apple-jack"  and  apple-jelly, 
or  perceive  any  contrast  between  the  strong  juice  of  the  peach  and  the 
strained  juice  of  the  cow.  And  the  profits,  as  above  mentioned,  were 
most  temptingly  large,  where  some  of  the  recruits  were  willing  to,  and 
actually  did,  give  as  high  as  five  dollars  for  only  one  suck  at  a  canteen  of 
whiskey,  peach  brandy,  or  even  "apple-jack." 

Now  and  then  the  buyer  would  get  drunk  and  be  arrested,  and  then  an 
investigation  follow,  but  no  one,  not  even  the  culprit  himself,  would  know 
or  could  be  made  to  tell  where  the  liquor  came  from  that  caused  the  trouble. 

One  day  Signal  Officer  A.  VV.  Bartlett,  while  sending  a  message  from  the  top 
of  one  of  the  highest  of  the  signal  towers,  thought  he  noticed  an  unusual  wabbling 
of  his  flagman  as  he  swung  his  flag  in  answer  to  the  numbers  given  him.  The 
next  moment  the  officer  knew  he  was  not  mistaken,  though  with  his  face  to  the 
glass  he  could  only  see  by  a  side  glance,  and  looked  up  just  in  time  to  grab  the 
man  by  his  coat  tail  and  save  him  from  a  drunken  tumble  of  one  hundred  and 
thirty  feet  into  eternity.  When  the  rescuing  grab  was  made,  the  man,  who  was 
trying  to  stand  upon  a  box  close  against  and  not  more  than  thirty  inches  below 
the  top  of  the  outside  planking,  had  so  nearly  lost  his  balance  in  trying  to  hold 
on  to  his  flag,  the  weight  of  which  was  tipping  him  forward  over  the  fatal  edge, 
that  a  few  seconds  delay  would  have  added  another  to  the  long  list  of  tragic 
deaths  caused  by  the  great  sin  of  intemperance. 

And  great  as  is  this  evil  in  civil  life,  it  was  even  greater,  if  possible,  in  the 
army,  notwithstanding  the  general  prohibition  of  intoxicating  liquors.  And  this 
strong  statement  there  would  be  none  to  dispute  if  the  world  only  knew  how 
much  of  misery  and  death,  in  the  hospital  and  on  the  field,  was  directly  or 
indirectly  attributable  to  the  demon  of  alcohol. 


"BOXEV." 


This  history  would  be  incomplete  should  no  mention  be  made  of  him 
who,  though  his  name  cannot  be  found  upon  the  muster-rolls,  deserves  to 
be  remembered  for  his  courage  and  fidelity,  and  for  always  acting  well 
his  part,  whether  in  the  camp,  upon  the  march,  or  upon  the  field  of  battle. 


JVciu  Hampshire   Volunteers.  459 

He  was  large  and  intelligent  above  the  average  of  his  kind,  being  of  New 
foundland  descent,  and  weighing,  when  he  entered  the  service,  just  five  pounds 
less  than  one  half  the  weight  of  his  master  —  the  once  robust  and  stalwart  third 
sergeant  of  Company  H  —  who  could  tip  the  scale  at  one  hundred  and  eihgty. 

"  Boney  "  went  with  or  followed  the  regiment  from  Concord  to  Arlington 
Heights:  thence  to  Berlin,  Md.,  and  Falmouth,  Va.  ;  through  the  battle  of 

O 

Fredericksburg  and  the  "Mud  March"  following;  through  the  battle  of  Chan- 
cellorsville,  where  he  was  severely  wounded ;  and  was  last  seen  on  the  fourth  or 
fifth  day  of  the  march  toward  Gettysburg,  when,  being  no  longer  able  to  keep 
up,  on  account  of  his  wound,  he  was  shot,  as  is  supposed,  by  one  of  the  rear 
guards.  Thus  sadly  ended  the  life  of  a  faithful  servant  and  true  friend  of  his 
master  and  the  boys  of  the  company,  among  whom  he  had  become  a  special 
favorite,  and  was  greatly  missed. 

He  was  also  brave,  as  well  as  trusty,  showing,  when  the  occasion  demanded, 
the  true  grit  of  a  fighter. 

At  Frdericksburg,  when  the  loud  bark  and  dismal  howl  of  all  the  dogs  in  the 
city  broke  suddenly  out  upon  the  midnight  air,  "Boney"  thought  the  time  had 
come  for  him  to  act,  and  quickly  signified  his  determination  to  attack  the  whole 
rebel  horde,  single-handed,  at  the  word  of  command.  Again,  at  Chancellors- 
ville,  instead  of  turning  tail  to,  he  fiercely  faced  the  foe  and  made  ready  for  close 
action  by  uncovering  his  weapons  of  defence,  which  he  doubtless  would  have 
used  with  effect  had  the  rebels  reached  our  line  in  their  attempted  charge. 

One  thing  is  true  of  him  that  cannot  be  claimed,  perhaps,  of  any  human  con 
testant  on  that  field,  that  he  refused  to  go  to  the  rear  after  he  was  dangerously 
wounded,  but  bid  defiance  still  by  snapping  and  growling  at  the  shot  and  shell 
striking  and  bursting  around  him. 


"COULDN'T  PLAY  WITH  KNAPSACKS  ON." 


BY    DRUM    MAJOR    IRA    C.    EVANS. 


While  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  camped  in  front  of  Fredericks- 
burg,  in  the  Winter  of  1862,  reviews  were  being  constantly  held  so  that 
the  boys  would  not  get  restless  and  uneasy (?).  First  there  would  be  a 
brigade  review,  then  a  division  review,  then  a  corps  review,  and  finally 
to  wind  up  with  a  grand  review  by  President  Lincoln. 

Now  every  time  the  boys  were  ordered  out  for  these  reviews,  they  were  ordered 
to  appear  in  "heavy  marching  order."  This  toting  around  a  whole  stock  of 
"gents'  furnishing  goods"  became  a  little  monotonous  after  a  while,  so  the  drum 
corps  of  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  held  a  "council  of  war,"  and  decided  that 
they  had  stood  about  enough  of  it,  and  as  the  other  regimental  drum  corps  were 
not  compelled  to  wear  theirs,  they  would  leave  the  knapsacks  in  camp  at  the  next 
review. 

A  short  time  after  we  had  come  to  this  decision  an  order  came  that  the  army 
was  to  be  reviewed  by  President  Lincoln.  We  appeared  without  our  knapsacks, 


460  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

took  position  at  the  right  of  the  regiment,  and  marched  to  the  parade  ground  in 
front  of  division  headquarters,  where  the  other  troops  of  the  division  were  assem 
bled,  and  the  line  of  march  was  taken  for  the  reviewing  ground.  All  went  well 
until  we  got  about  a  mile  from  camp,  when  the  colonel  happened  to  notice  we 
were  without  our  knapsacks,  and  then  came  the  inquiry: 

'•  Where  are  your  knapsacks?  " 

George  Washington  like,  we  would  not  tell  a  lie  and  replied,  "In  camp,  sir; 
we  cannot  play  with  them  on,  or  rather  we  cannot  play  as  well." 

Nothing  more  was  said,  and  we  were  congratulating  ourselves  we  had  gained 
a  point.  But  judge  of  our  surprise  after  we  got  back  to  our  camp,  just  at  sunset, 
after  a  hard  day  of  it,  to  receive  orders  to  "sling  knapsacks,"  heavy  marching 
order,  and  report  with  our  fifes  and  drums  at  headquarters. 

After  reporting  at  headquarters  we  were  ordered  to  march  up  and  down  the 
parade  ground,  and  keep  step,  as  usual,  to  our  own  music.  We  took  our  posi 
tion  at  the  head  of  the  grounds  and  started  oft",  the  whole  regiment  of  course 
being  out  to  "review"  us.  One  or  two  of  the  boys  did  not  take  very  kindly  to 
this  style  of  punishment,  and  while  the  most  of  the  corps  were  playing  some  two- 
four  time,  they  took  it  into  their  heads  to  play  a  six-eight  or  four-four  time,  and 
the  result  was  that  no  one  could  tell  what  we  were  playing,  for  it  was  a  perfect 
babel  of  sounds.  This  was  kept  up  for  fully  half  an  hour,  to  the  great  delight  of 
the  boys  of  the  regiment.  Finally  the  colonel  motioned  for  us  to  form  in  front 
of  headquarters.  We  obeyed  this  order  with  greater  alacrity  than  we  were  ever 
known  to  obey  one  before.  The  colonel  addressed  us  thus  : 

"You  have  done  well.  I  cannot  see  but  what  your  playing  is  about  the  same 
whether  you  have  knapsacks  off  or  on.  Go  to  your  quarters,  and  the  next  time 
you  get  orders  to  appear  in  heavy  marching  order  see  that  you  obey  !  " 

\Ve  returned  to  our  quarters,  but,  considering  the  "devil  of  a  racket"  we 
made,  thought  the  colonel  was  either  a  little  sarcastic  in  compliment,  or  had  a 
"  bad  ear"  for  our  kind  of  music. 


LIBBY  AND  How  WE  GOT  OUT  OF  IT. 


BY    LIEUT.   A.   W.    BACHELER.* 


We  were  on  the  lines  between  the  James  and  Appomattox.  Had  been 
"bottled  up"  there  with  Butler  early  in  '64.  At  the  time  of  which  I 
write  it  is  hard  to  tell  which  was  getting  the  better  of  it  — the  "Johnnies" 
in  trying  to  keep  us  and  the  cork  in,  or  Butler  in  trying  to  get  us  and 
the  cork  out.  Disinterested  parties  would  doubtless  have  voted  for  the 
"Johnnies."  However,  we  and  the  rebs  were  making  the  best  of  the  sit 
uation,  and  daily,  on  the  picket-lines  between  the  hostile  earthworks,  you 
might  have  seen  us  making  the  usual  exchange  of  coffee  and  salt  for 
"  terbac,"  or  swapping  "  New  York  Tribunes  "  and  "Baltimore  Ameri 
cans  "  of  yesterday  for  the  Richmond  morning  sheets  damp  from  the  press. 

Not  a  few  of  us  struck  passable  sort  of  friendships  in  our  stolen  inter- 

*  See  page  252. 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  461 

views  with  the  rebs,  if  that  could  be  called  friendship,  in  which  the 
interested  parties  stood  ready  to  blaze  away  at  each  other  on  the  slightest 
provocation.  For  all  that,  I  never  could  see  that  euchre  or  whist,  with 
"Johnnies  "  for  "  pardners  "  those  pleasant  autumn  months,  was  any  the 
less  of  a  game.  In  fact,  it.  was  about  all  the  excitement  we  had.  There 
is  nothing  a  soldier  dreads  more  than  the  monotony  of  camp-life.  We 
were  there  to  whip  out  the  rebellion  and  get  home,  and  we  could  n't 
understand  why  we  were  so  long  about  it.  We  were  all  of  us  complain 
ing  of  the  hum-drum  of  the  "bottle"  when  the  incidents  of  my  story 
occurred.  All  the  veteran  regiments,  except  our  own,  the  Twelfth  New 
Hampshire,  had  been  withdrawn  from  the  Port  Walthall  front  to  reinforce 
Grant  before  Petersburg,  and  their  places  supplied  by  the  greenest  of  all 
green  troops,  Pennsylvania  regiments  high  up  in  the  two  hundreds. 
"Johnny  reb  "  knew  of  the  change  almost  as  soon  as  ourselves,  and  very 
soon  thereafter  arranged  the  tea  party  of  which  I  write. 

The  ni^ht  of  November  17  came  still  and  moonlit.      Pickets  had  been  relieved 

O  / 

at  dusk,  and  the  fresh  guard  had  just  settled  ourselves  for  another  of  the  quiet 
nights  we  had  enjoyed  so  long,  when  at  ten  in  the  evening,  with  a  preliminary 
volley  that  seemed  to  wake  the  dead,  the  rebs  charged  on  the  new  troops  on  either 
flank  of  the  Twelfth  boys.  They  were  off  like  sheep,  and  the  "Johnnies  "  clos 
ing  in  our  rear  coolly  began  to  blaze  away  at  us  at  point-blank  range.  The  game 
was  up,  there  was  no  dodging  that,  for  they  out-numbered  us  ten  to  one,  and 
before  we  knew  it  forty-six*  of  us  were  "  gobbled"  without  waiting  to  hear  any 
objections  on  our  part.  Over  the  rebel  breastworks  we  were  hustled  and  there 
disarmed  ;  all  overcoats  and  good  hats  or  boots  being  especially  contraband.  By 
a  sheltered  path  we  reached  a  wood  near  the  Richmond  &  Petersburg  Railroad, 
v/here  we  .were  told  to  cut  wood  and  start  a  fire  if  we  wished.  Minus  the  warm 
overcoats  and  blankets  of  "Uncle  Sam,"  none  of  us  objected  to  the  moderate 
exercise  necessary  for  a  night's  supply  of  fuel,  nor  to  the  diversion  that  \vas 
afforded  by  the  labor  to  our  somewhat  unsettled  thoughts.  No  amount  of  vigor 
ous  swinging  of  the  axe  nor  cracking  of  stale  jokes  seemed  to  put  a  very  cheery 
glow  over  the  outlook,  and  it  was  amusing  to  notice  the  sickliness  that  pervaded 
every  attempt  at  a  smile.  Morning  came,  and  after  a  breakfast  of  pea  soup  we 
were  crowded  aboard  a  freight  car,  and  in  a  short  hour  found  ourselves  in  Rich 
mond.  A  rabble  of  boys  and  hoodlums  followed  us  on  our  march  through  the 
city  of  a  mile  or  more.  The  tramp  was  enlivened  with  jeers  and  greetings  of 
the  crowd,  and  off-hand  insinuations  at  the  dejected  figures  we  presented.  I  recall, 
at  this  distance,  only  those  whose  intimate  relations  to  the  subject  of  rations 
caused  them  to  make  the  profoundest  impression  on  our  minds.  Here  is  a  spec 
imen  :  "  Say,  Yank,  gib  yer  yo  choice,  Libbv  House  or  Carstle  Thunder,  boath 
right  smart  hotels,  I  reckon,  fare  high,  'ropean  plan,  sah  ;  "  or,  "Hey,  Yank, 
beant  yer  hungry?  Jis  yo  waint,  sah,  bes  uf  fodder  comin',  sah."  These  and 
other  kindly  touches  compelled  us,  despite  our  forlorn  circumstances,  to  put  on 
sickly  grins  that  in  their  chilliness  betokened  no  small  lack  of  genuiness. 

We  soon  reached  our  destination,  a  large  two-storv  brick  structure,  with  the 
ominous  sign  at  one  corner,  Libby  &  Son,  Ship  Chandlers  and  Grocers.  In  the 
lower  room,  popularly  known  as  the  "reception  room"  by  our  boys,  we  were 

*  See  page  252. 


462  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

left  for  that  day  and  the  succeeding  night  without  food,  and  with  only  such  oppor 
tunities  for  sleep  as  were  afforded  by  the  clamp  brick  floor.  Next  morning  we 
were  ordered  to  "fall  in,"  strip  ourselves,  place  our  clothing  on  the  floor  before 
our  feet,  and  wait  our  turn  at  being  searched.  Money,  watches,  and  pocket- 
knives  were  especially  contraband,  as  being  possible  aids  to  an  attempted  escape 
through  bribery  of  their  own  soldiers. 

It  would  hardly  be  respectful  to  the  gentle  reader  to  relate  the  extremities  to 
which  we  wrere  put  in  concealing  these  obnoxious  articles ;  it  is  enough  to  remind 
him  that  though  Yankee  ingenuity  was  taxed  to  its  utmost,  it  was,  in  most  cases, 
equal  to  the  occasion,  despite  some  temporary  inconvenience  at  one  or  another 
part  of  the  body  caused  by  unwonted  burdens.  Our  next  move  was  to  the  sec 
ond  story  of  the  building,  to  which  we  were  conducted  by  a  tall,  gaunt  Virginian 
named  Pryor.  This  man  in  antc-bclhim  times  had  been  a  noted  "whip" 
among  the  plantation  slave-drivers  "down  ther  in  Henraker,"  and  in  that  appren 
ticeship  had  been  well  trained  for  the  duties  of  prison  keeper. 

Never  shall  I  forget  the  sight  that  met  our  gaze  as  we  entered.  Several  hun 
dred  haggard  countenances,  in  every  degree  of  emaciation,  were  upturned  in 
answering  stare.  In  the  universal  filth  and  squalor  it  was  hard  to  recognize  in 
the  creatures  before  us  comrades  once  as  well  fed  and  cleanly  clad  as  ourselves. 
The  tell-tale  blue,  that  here  and  there  appeared  through  the  dirt,  was  a  silent  though 
convincing  witness.  Instantly  we  were  surrounded  by  eager  inquirers, —  our  reg 
iment,  how  we  were  captured,  what  Grant  was  at  over  there  by  Petersburg,  had 
we  heard  any  talk  about  an  exchange  of  prisoners,  did  we  bring  a  spare  hard 
tack  ;  these  and  hundreds  more  were  the  questions  we  tried  to  answer.  Mean 
while  a  drum  had  called  us  into  line  for  breakfast.  The  meal  was  served  at  ten 
each  morning  and  always  consisted  of  a  standard  dish  —  the  refuse  of  Richmond 
markets  —  bones,  bits  of  beef,  pork,  and  mutton,  indiscriminately  mixed,  were 
first  boiled  in  large  kettles,  cut  into  bits  of  three  or  four  ounces  each,  and  served 
with  corn-meal  bread,  the  regulation  cut  being  four  inches  square  and  two  inches 
thick.  This  bread  was  simple  meal  and  water,  without  salt,  and  not  unfre- 
quently  was  sour  on  being  served.  My  first  piece  of  meat  was  a  choice  morsel 
of  pork-rind,  apparently  fresh  from  the  sty,  and  as  I  was  not  yet  starved  to  such 
fodder,  I  threw  it  with  some  spite  on  the  filth  of  the  floor.  "  Never  you  dun 
mind,"  said  Pryor,  "you'll  jes  thank  me  fur  its  like,  fo  yer  out  er  thes  yer." 
The  scrap  was  kicked  about  and  trampled  for  some  time  unobserved  until  a 
drummer  boy  of  sixteen  or  so,  captured  by  Moseby  in  the  valley  the  summer 
before,  caught  sight  of  it,  and  before  I  could  protest  had  devoured  it  with  all  its 
filth  in  evident  relish.  At  four  in  the  afternoon  the  drum  called  us  to  the  same 
fare  with  this  variation,  that  to  the  water  in  which  the  morning's  meat  had  been 
cooked,  were  added  a  few  black  beans,  and  more  black  bugs,  and  after  cooking, 
a  pint  of  the  mixture  was  doled  out  to  ea<TJ  prisoner. 

The  ratio  of  nutritious  elements  in  this  soup  can  best  be  estimated  by  the  for 
mula  current  among  us  Yanks  for  its  manufacture.  "  Two  beans  and  seven  gal 
lons  of  water,  if  too  rich  add  water  seasoned  with  skippers." 

With  the  soup  the  bread  ration,  like  that  of  the  morning,  was  served,  and  this 
without  any  variation  constituted  our  supply  of  food.  The  day  was  cheerless 
enough  in  our  crowded  and  filthy  quarters,  but  the  night  was  even  worse,  and 
would  come  upon  us  all  too  soon.  There  was  small  comfort  in  lying  on  the 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  .     463 

hard  floor,  crawling  with  vermin,  while  the  searching  December  winds  blew 
unchecked  through  the  casements  where  once  there  had  been  windows.  With 
scanty  clothing  and  no  blankets  there  was  nothing  for  it  but  to  spend  half  the 
night  in  promenading  the  floor,  or  lying  close  packed,  "spoon  fashion,"  to  utilize 
what  heat  we  might  through  contact  with  our  neighbors.  It  is  amusing,  even  at 
this  late  day,  to  recall  the  methods  in  use  for  relieving  our  stiffened  muscles  and 
aching  joints.  After  a  troubled  sleep  of  two  hours,  someone,  whose  aches  had 
passed  the  point  of  endurance,  would  sing  out,  "Yanks,  attention!  Company 
rio-ht  turn  !  march  ! "  Woe  to  the  unlucky  dreamer  who  was  tardy  in  his 

&  * 

motions!  Worse  woe  if,  in  the  bewilderment  of  his  first  waking,  he  mistook  the 
direction  of  his  turn  !  No  apologies  were  accepted,  and  he  was  at  once  com 
pelled  to  sleep  by  himself  until  voted  into  the  ranks  again  by  the  unanimous 
consent  of  all.  So  passed  the  weary  days,  and  still  more  wearing  nights.  We 
watched  each  other  grow  thinner,  and  paler,  and  more  haggard.  We  saw  the 
finer  instincts  of  kindliness  and  good  will  die  out  into  the  universal  selfishness  that 
asserted  itself  under  the  guise  of  self-preservation.  We  saw,  in  not  a  few  cases, 
reason  dethroned.  We  saw  some  of  these  madmen,  true  to  the  one  mastering 
instinct  for  food,  gather  the  very  vermin  that  had  fattened  on  their  emaciated 
bodies,  and  with  these  eke  out  their  scanty  fare.  We  saw  despair  with  its  black 
midnight  taking  possession  of  face  after  face.  We  saw  the  dead,  day  after  day, 
carted  off  to  unnamed  graves.  The  only  ray  of  sunshine  was  when  the  boys 
with  husky  voices  sang  some  of  the  old  camp  songs,  and  "  Tenting  To-night,"  or 
"  John  Brown's  Body, "or  "Star  Spangled  Banner"  rang  out  through  the  dingy 
halls.  Once  when  we  had  reached  the  last  verse  of  "John  Brown,"  a  council  of 
war  was  held  to  settle  the  question  of  completing  the  song,  and  hanging  "Jeff 
Davis  to  the  sour  apple  tree."  It  was  decided  to  venture  by  a  unanimous  vote, 
and  we  were  well  on  our  way  through  the  lines,  when  old  Pryor  burst  into  the 
room  with  an  oath,  and  cried  out,  "  Now  jes  be  dun  with  tha'  cher,  and  no  mo' 
of  it,"  and  at  the  same  instant  the  guards  outside  "blazed  away"  at  the  open 
windows  with  the  evident  design  of  reminding  us  where  we  were.  Xo  one  was 
hit,  however,  and  we  were  careful  afterwards  to  omit  all  reference  to  the  obnox 
ious  verse. 

It  would  be  quite  unlikely  that  men  in  circumstances  like  these  should  fail  to 
discuss,  in  subdued  tones  but  ever  deepening  interest,  the  chances  of  escape  and 
the  means  for  accomplishing  it.  One  of  the  men  captured  with  me  was  Ben 
Thompson,  a  native  of  Wolfeborough,  X.  H.  He  was  one  of  the  best  specimens 
of  the  traditional  Yankee, —  shrewd  as  a  lawyer,  keen  at  trade  as  a  Jew,  full  of 
resources,  and  plucky.  He  .lacked  all  reverence  for  dignity  or  rank,  and  would 
always  succeed  in  worming  his  way  into  the  confidence  of  officers  without  appear 
ing  intrusive. 

The  following  story  told  at  Ben's  expense,  just  before  our  capture,  illustrates 
his  character  better  than  any  words  of  mine.  Ben  had  been  detailed  for  picket 
duty  one  day,  and  scenting  a  chance  to  turn  an  honest  shekel,  he  filled  his  haver 
sack  with  commissary  coffee,  and  watching  his  opportunity  traded  it  off' during 
the  day  with  the  "Johnnies"  for  tobacco  and  papers.  Xext  day  Ben  was  sick, 
"  unfit  for  service,"  so  the  surgeon  said,  and  was  missing  from  sight  for  some 
hours.  Everybody  supposed  he  was  asleep  in  his  tent.  Xothing  of  the  sort. 
With  his  surgeon's  release  from  duty  in  his  pocket,  and  his  haversack  on  his 


464  History  of  the  Tivclflh  Regiment 

shoulder,  Ben  struck  for  the  James,  hired  a  darky  to  row  him  across  in  his  dug 
out,  and  turned  up  late  in  the  forenoon  at  Dutch  Gap  canal,  then  two  thirds  dug 
across  the  narrow  tongue  of  land  where  Butler  was  cutting  off  a  seven-mile  reach 
of  the  river.  For  two  hours  Ben  drove  a  thriving  trade,  and  found  the  troops 
at  work  in  the  canal,  hungry  for  both  news  and  the  weed.  He  was  nearly  done 
with  his  traffic,  and  had  begun  to  congratulate  himself  on  the  generous  pile  of 
greenbacks  in  his  possession,  when  General  Butler,  with  an  orderly  or  two  at  his 
heels,  made  his  way  on  foot  into  the  "big  ditch."  Thompson  failed  to  see  the 
General  until  he  was  close  upon  him,  and  knowing  that  he  had  been  driving 
a  contraband  trade,  he  naturally  feared  a  confiscation  of  his  gains.  However, 
drawing  a  bunch  of  choice  Havanas  from  the  depths  of  his  haversack,  a  reserve 
fund  apparently  provided  for  an  emergency,  he  ran  up  to  the  General  with, 
"Good  morning,  General,  I've  been  trying  to  find  you  for  a  week,  for  I  did 
want  you  to  try  some  of  my  fresh  cigars,  and  I  hope  you  '11  do  me  the  honor  to 
accept  them  with  my  compliments."  Before  the  General  could  refuse  or  accept 
the  proffer,  a  ten-inch  bomb  from  one  of  their  mortars  was  dropped  by  the 
"Johnnies"  in  somewhat  anxious  proximity  to  the  group.  Exploding  as  it  buried 
itself  in  the  ground,  it  did  no  further  damage  than  to  cover  the  General  and  his 
escort  with  mud.  But  Ben,  taking  advantage  of  the  excitement  of  the  moment, 
cried  out,  "  Good  God,  General,  if  that 's  the  manners  you  show  a  kindly  disposed 
person  like  myself,  the  sooner  I  'm  out  of  this  the  better !  "  and  with  the  words 
he  ran  like  mad  out  of  the  canal,  and  was  soon  lost  to  view  around  a  bend  of  the 
river. 

Seeing  Ben  in  a  brown  study  one  day,  a  fortnight  after  we  reached  Libby,  I 
inquired  what  he  was  thinking  about.  Instead  of  any  direct  reply,  he  asked  if  I 
knew  anything  about  shoemaking,  and  on  mv  replying  in  the  affirmative,  he  told 
me  of  a  chance  turnkey  Pryor  had  offered  him  to  make  shoes  for  the  Confederacy. 
"And  who  knows,"  said  he,  "  but  there'll  be  a  chance  for  us  to  skedaddle  out  of 
this,  if  once  we  get  into  the  shop."  Next  morning  thirty  of  us  were  detailed  as 
shoemakers,  and  found  ourselves  in  a  building  adjoining  the  main  prison  hard 
at  work  on  shoes  for  the  rebel  army.  There  was  a  partial  division  of  labor 
among  the  gangs  that  brought  the  stitching  to  me  and  the  fitting  of  the  soles  to 
Thompson.  Early  in  our  work  I  noticed  Ben  went  through  a  curious  process 
of  cutting  deeply  across  the  outer  sole  of  every  shoe,  on  the  reverse  side  at  the 
front,  where  shank  and  heel  meet.  Of  course  it  ruined  the  shoe,  which  would 
do  well  if  it  served  the  wearer  while  he  was  walking  away  from  the  quarter 
master's.  "That's  my  mark,"  said  Ben,  at  my  inquiry.  "Escape  valve,  you 
know,  for  the  guilty  conscience  of  a  fellow  at  work  aiding  and  abetting  the 
enemies  of  his  country."  Neither  of  us  ever  met  a  "Johnnie"  afterwards,  but 
we  ached  to  ask  him  if  he  had  ever  worn  any  of  the  patent  brand  manufactured 
by  the  Yanks  at  Libby. 

Across  Water  street  from  our  shop  was  a  large  warehouse  used  for  any  overflow 
of  prisoners,  but  empty  at  the  time  we  were  there,  on  the  second  floor  of  which, 
in  a  small  room,  old  Pryor  kept  a  variety  store.  It  was  a  sort  of  perquisite  to  his 
office  of  prison  keeper,  and  aided  in  eking  out  a  scanty  salary.  Pryor  was  accus 
tomed  almost  daily  to  conduct  squads  of  half  a  dozen  prisoners  to  this  store,  and 
sell  them  bread,  pies,  apples,  and  other  eatables.  His  prices  were  outrageous, 
fifty  cents  for  an  apple,  one  dollar  a  loaf  for  bread,  two  dollars  for  an  apple-pie 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  465 

baked  in  an  ordinary  saucer.  This  process  of  sale  was  thought  altogether  safe, 
as  the  warehouse  was  within  the  prison  enclosure  and  always  surrounded  by  the 
line  of  sentries.  When  Ben  and  1  had  studied  the  situation  and  formed  our 
plans  for  escape,  we  broached  the  matter  to  our  fellow-shoemakers  and  endeav 
ored  to  induce  some  of  them  to  join  us.  But  the  danger  of  recapture  and  the 
terrors  of  Castle  Thunder  proved  stronger  than  our  arguments.  It  was  fortunate 
for  us  that  they  were  so,  for  we  learned  by  experience  that  the  smaller  the 
number  in  an  escaping  party  the  less  likely  were  the  rebs  to  pursue  and  retake 
them.  However,  nearly  the  entire  shop  wrote  anonymous  letters  to  their  friends, 
and  these  we  agreed  to  deliver  to  the  mails  within  a  reasonable  time,  Ben 
remarking  that  if  anvthing  happened  to  that  particular  penny-post  he  should 
bring  suit  in  the  court  of  claims  against  the  Southern  Confederacy. 

December  12,  the  day  we  had  chosen  for  our  attempt,  was  dark  and   stormy. 
Holding  off  as  late   in  the  afternoon  as  we  dared,  we   informed  Pryor  that  we 
needed   something  to  eat,  and  with  four  other  comrades  who  were  in  our  secret 
were  taken  over  the  street  to   the   store.      Thompson   and  I   made  our  purchase 
first,   and  then   stepping  aside,   our  companions  engaged   the  keeper's  attention 
while  we  noiselessly  crept  up  a  second   flight  of  stairs  to  the  third  story.      There 
we  were  fortunate  enough  to  find  an  immense  pile  of  condemned  tent-cloth,  much 
of  it  with  the  stamp  of  the  United   States  upon  it.      Working  our  way  deep  into 
the  pile,  we  anxiously  waited  for  any  sounds  that  would  indicate  we  had  been 
missed.      Comrades  have  since  told  me  that  Pryor  at  once  inquired  for  us,  but  on 
being  assured  that  we  had  returned  to  the  shop  seemed  satisfied  and  returned  the 
remainder  without  further  questions.      Six  hours  of  weary  waiting  followed,  for 
we  had  agreed  to  wait  for  midnight,  as  the  safest  hour  for  our  attempt.      Nothing 
broke  the  dull  monotony  of  the  time  save  the  sleepy  "  Post  No.  i,  all 's  well !  "  of 
the  drowsy  sentinels,  carried  in  turn  around  the  prison  by  each  succeeding  sentry. 
Soon   after   twelve   we  were   astir.      Cutting   the   tent-cloth   into   long   strips  we 
braided  a  triple  strand   into  a  passably  strong  rope  of  some  thirty  feet  in  length. 
Fastening  one  end  to  a  table  we  had  found  near  by,  we  dropped  the  other  from 
a  window.      It  was  short  by  ten  feet,  but  we  had   no  difficulty  in  dropping  that 
height.      Thompson    slid   down   first  and   I   followed.      Once  at  the  bottom   we 
found  ourselves  inside  a  board  fence  fifteen  feet  high,  with  the  smooth  side  next 
the  prison.      Luckily,  however,  there  were  lying  about  the  remains  of  the  boards 
and  timbers  of  which  the  fence  had  been  built,  and  having  piled  these  up  cob- 
house  fashion,  I  mounted  the  pile,  and   Ben   mounted  my  shoulders.      He  could 
just  reach  the  fence  top,  and  being  muscular  he  was  over  in  a  twinkling,  and  had 
dropped   me   a   piece  of  the   tent-cloth   and   pulled    me  to   the  top.      We   found 
ourselves  in  the  back  yard  of  a  private  dwelling,  and  working  our  way  toward 
the  street  were  attacked  bv  a  ferocious  bull-dog,  whose  bowlings  alarmed  us  even 
more  than  his  bite.      The  cur  quickly  yielded  to  Ben's  suavity  and  caresses  and 
left  us  for  his  mat  on  the  doorstep.     In  glancing  over  the  front  fence  we  were 
startled  to  see  a  sentry  standing  with  his  piece  at  order  arms  only  a  few  feet  away 
on  the  brick   sidewalk  !      There  was  nothing  for  it  but  to  put  a  bold  face  on  the 
matter  and  leap  the  fence.      Hastily  agreeing  to  meet  at  a  neighboring  street  light, 
Thompson  was  first  over,  and  coolly  walked  away  whistling.      In  ten   minutes 
I  followed  without  the  whistle,  and  shortly  rejoined  Ben  at  the  appointed  place. 
Just  why  that  "Johnny"  failed  to  challenge  us  we  never  knew,  but  the  proba- 


466  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

bility  is  that  overcome  by  drowsiness  he  was  stealing  a  nap  over  his  gun.  As 
neither  of  us  had  more  than  a  general  knowledge  of  the  streets,  such  as  we  could 
gain  by  our  first  march  through  them,  or  by  our  study  from  the  prison  windows, 
we  tramped  on  with  only  the  vague  notion  of  reaching  the  suburbs  and  concealing 
ourselves  until  the  succeeding  night.  Now  and  then  we  passed  a  watchman 
or  some  belated  traveler,  but  the  pieces  of  tent-cloth  we  had  brought  along  so 
completely  disguised  us  that  no  one  asked  any  questions.  An  hour's  hard  tramp 
ing  found  us  bewildered,  and  once  more  in  the  heart  of  the  city.  Affairs  took  a 
serious  turn. 

We  dared  not  inquire  of  those  we  met,  nor  at  the  houses,  but  hurrying  on 
at  our  best  pace  found  ourselves  in  another  hour  climbing  the  parapets  of  the 
third  or  inner  line  of  works  surrounding  the  city  on  the  north.  We  saw  no  troops, 
as  most  of  the  rebels  were  with  Lee  guarding  the  Petersburg  front.  The  ditch 
in  front  of  the  works  was  deep  and  half  filled  with  water,  but  creeping  along  in 
the  darkness  we  soon  reached  a  log  laid  over  the  chasm  for  the  use  of  their  troops. 
Over  this  we  were  threading  our  dizzy  way,  when  Ben,  who  was  ahead,  slipped 
and  tumbled  in.  He  disappeared  for  a  moment,  but  soon  came  up  puffing  to  the 
surface.  I  ran  along  the  bank  and  dropping  him  mv  canvas  soon  fished  him  out 
to  terra  firma.  Every  rag  of  clothing  on  him  was  saturated,  and  the  bread  in  his 
pockets  converted  into  mush.  Faint  streaks  of  dawn  now  showing  themselves 
admonished  us  to  be  pushing  on,  and  despite  Ben's  condition  we  hurried  awav 
for  something  that  looked  like  woods  in  the  distance.  We  found  the  woods  a 
swamp,  thick-grown  with  trees  and  underbrush.  Exhausted  and  faint,  we  found 
a  spot  somewhat  more  solid  than  the  rest,  where  we  lay  down  in  the  shelter  of  a 
large  cottonwood  tree.  After  an  hour's  sleep  we  both  woke  shivering  and  chilled 
to  the  very  marrow.  Ben  was  the  worse  off,  the  result  of  his  morning's  ducking. 
To  add  to  our  discomfort  a  drizzling  rain  set  in,  and  I  was  soon  as  badly  off  as 
my  companion.  We  dared  not  light  a  fire  even  if  we  had  had  the  means; 
the  most  we  could  venture  on  was  to  rise  occasionally  to  our  feet,  stretch  our 
benumbed  and  aching  limbs,  and  return  quietly  to  our  drenched  beds  on  the 
ground.  Soon  after  noon  the  sky  cleared  somewhat,  and  sounds  of  voices  began 
to  be  heard;  these  indicated  the  presence  of  a  camp  on  the  opposite  side  of  our 
swamp.  Not  long  after,  the  men  seemed  to  start  a  hunt,  and  some  dogs  had  evi 
dently  treed  an  animal.  Soon  we  heard  the  clip  of  axes,  the  tree  was  felled,  and 
then  dogs  and  men  pushed  on  for  the  interior  of  the  swamp.  Nearer  and  nearer 
they  drew  to  our  hiding-place,  and  in  a  moment  I  saw  the  gray  squirrel  they  were 
after  dart  into  a  hollow  oak  not  three  rods  from  us.  Three  dogs  and  fifteen 
or  twenty  men  were  close  behind.  We  fugitives  instinctively  hugged  the  sod 
beneath  us.  Foiled  in  the  chase,  the  men  gathered  sticks  and  dry  grass  or  bark 
and  started  a  fire  in  the  hollow  butt.  The  smoke  soon  forced  the  squirrel  from 
his  retreat,  and  with  a  leap  he  took  to  the  nearest  trees ;  the  dogs  rushed  over  in 
hot  chase,  but  failed  to  molest  us;  the  men  taking  a  shorter  cut  avoided  us 
altogether,  and  in  a  few  moments  we  knew  by  their  shouts  that  they  had  bagged 
their  game  and  were  on  their  way  to  camp.  It  was  a  narrow  chance,  and  Ben 
remarked,  as  we  began  to  recover  breath,  that  it  that  was  a  specimen  of  what  we 
were  to  encounter  the  probabilities  of  our  escape  were  slim.  Darkness,  our  best 
friend,  came  at  last,  and  we  crept  out  of  our  hiding-place  as  fast  as  our  chilled 
and  stiffened  limbs  allowed.  With  the  pole  star  as  guide  we  steered  northward, 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  467 

in  order  if  possible  to  cross  the  Chickahominy  and  put  that  stream  between  us 
and  any  pursuers  that  might  be  on  our  track.  Carefully  avoiding  the  roads, 
except  when  it  was  necessary  to  cross  them,  we  tramped  on  through  the  weary 
hours  of  the  night,  startled  now  and  then  by  the  snapping  of  a  twig  or  the  move 
ment  of  some  animal  more  frightened  than  ourselves.  At  times  we  were  up  to: 
the  knees  in  mud  and  water,  and  again  were  climbing  steep  banks,  or  working 
our  painful  way  through  thickets  and  underbrush  where  we  suffered  severely  from 
the  thorns  and  briers.  Near  day  dawn  we  crossed  a  second  and  less  pretentious 
line  of  parapets  and  were  rejoiced  to  rind  these,  like  the  last,  unoccupied  by 
troops.  Soon  after,  we  crept  up  to  the  negro  quarters  of  a  Virginia  plantation 
and  stealthily  pushing  in  the  door  we  entered.  At  one  end  of  the  room  was  a  large 
fireplace,  and  stretched  on  the  floor  of  unbaked  clay,  in  a  half-circle,  were  the 
dusky  forms  of  half  a  do/en  slaves,  with  heads  turned  toward  the  fire  that  was 
now  smouldering  low  on  the  hearth.  After  some  vigorous  shaking  we  succeeded 
in  rousing  the  sleepers,  and  begged  for  a  chance  to  dry  and  warm  ourselves. 

Trusting  to  the  innate  sense  of  justice  in  the  slave,  we  did  not  hesitate  to 
confkle  to  them  our  secret.  The  story  seemed  to  hasten  their  enoleavors  to  make 
us  comfortable.  The  family  was  soon  astir,  and  the  matron  quickly  mixed  corn- 
meal  into  a  hoe-cake,  raked  the  hot  ashes  aside,  patted  the  cake  into  passable 
shape,  and  tossing  it  among  the  embers  soon  had  it  ready  for  us.  "  Good  Loi', 
massa,  af  yer'd  only  tole  dis  yer  when  yer  fuss  come,  mabbe  yer 'd  done  gon  an 
haol  dis  hoe-cake  eat  up  to  now,"  saiol  the  kind  creature,  half  apologizing  for  her 
tardiness  in  preparing  the  meal.  Never  before  was  food  so  sweet;  for  though 
a  little'  of  Pryor's  bread  still  remained,  we  had  found  small  opportunity  to  eat, 
compareol  with  the  comfort  of  this  humble  home.  The  meal  over,  we  talked  of 
shelter  near  by,  and  the  man  of  the  family,  a  brawny  negro,  a  plantation  hand  of 
the  best  type,  offered  to  stow  us  away  on  a  loft  of  loose  boards  over  the  fireplace. 
We  slept  out  the  entire  day  in  comparative  comfort.  On  coming  down  the  ladder 
at  nightfall,  the  good  fellow  told  us  that  his  mistress  had  spoken  of  soldiers  who 
had  called  at  the  house  to  inquire  for  prisoners  that  were  said  to  have  escaped 
two  nights  before  fro>m  Libby.  So  we  knew  we  were  missed  and  that  no  stone 

c>  J 

woulol  be  left  unturned  to  retake  us. 

"  Endu'in  de  wah  sah,  vve's  cullered  ib'ks  s'had  mighty  hard  times,  an  we's  han't 
dun  awishin  an  aprayn  yer  Linkum  fo'ks  cum  right  soon,"  said  our  host  as  we 
bade  him  good-by.  We  now  pushed  for  the  Chickahominy,  and  crosseol  it  near 
midnight  a  few  miles  west  of  Mechanicsville,  where  we  leaped  the  stream  without 
difficulty,  it  being  hardly  more  than  a  brook.  Once  over,  we  turned  southward 
determined  to  use  the  stream  as  a  guide,  as  we  knew  it  woulol  finally  bring  us  to 
the  James,  where  we  were  sure  of  finding  Union  troops.  As  the  night  wore 
away  we  again  sought  the  help  of  negroes  at  a  plantation  cabin.  This  time,  after 
getting  warmed  and  clothing  dried,  we  were  conducteol  to  an  open  shed,  fifty 
rods  or  more  from  the  house,  where  the  man  of  the  family  stoweol  us  away  deep 
under  the  cornstalks  that  filled  the  shed.  Giving  us  a  large  hot  stove  for  our  feet 
and  piling  above  us  many  an  armful  of  the  fodder,  he  bade  us  keep  quiet,  anol 
promised  to  come  for  us  after  nightfall. 

About  4  in  the  afternoon  the  sound  of  voices  roused  us  and  we  heard  a  cart 
approaching  the  corn-rick,  "  Ise  dun  gwine  ter  gib  olis  yer  mule  no  mo'  co'n, 
case  he's  jus  fass  gettin  good  fer  nuffin,"  said  the  voice  of  our  friend,  the  boss 


468  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

hand  on  the  place.  A  gruff  answer  we  could  not  make  out  was  made  to  his 
remark,  and  then  we  heard  the  cart  back  up  to  the  stalks,  and  the  two  men  began 
to  load.  Their  voices  grew  more  and  more  distinct  as  the  pile  over  our  heads 
grew  thinner.  "  Wha  furs  yer  gwine  ter  kill  dat  ar  mule  ?"  complained  the 
slave,  "  Cart's  dun  loaded  miff  an  mo'."  But  the  master  bade  him  keep  on  ;  he 
even  took  the  fork  himself  and  eased  the  slave  for  a  moment.  Again  and  a  "-am 

o  o 

the  two  men  walked  over  us,  and  once  the  fork  tines  passed  through  Thompson's 
trowsers,  but  luckily  missed  wounding  him. 

At  last  the  expostulations  of  the  slave  in  the  mule's  behalf  had  their  effect,  and 
the  cart  drove  off.  We  breathed  freer  for  the  moment,  but  would  cart  and  master 
return  ?  Ben  pulled  his  jack-knife  from  his  pocket,  and  opening  it  scanned  the 
onlv  weapon  of  defense  we  possessed.  Then,  shaking  his  head,  said,  "It's  no 
use,  Bach,  we're  gone  as  sure  as  thunder  if  he  comes  back,  and  even  if  we  get 
the  best  of  him  in  a  fight,  he'll  rouse  the  neighbors  and  we'll  be  gobbled."  We 
saw  there  was  nothing  for  it  but  to  be  out  and  off,  so  gathering  our  traps,  and 
seeing  a  piece  of  woods  near  by,  we  ran  for  it,  and  seemed  to  have  escaped 
observation.  Though  it  still  lacked  two  hours  of  dark,  we  concluded  to  continue 
our  tramp.  A  light  snow  had  fallen  during  the  day,  and  half  melting  not  only 
quickly  soaked  our  army  brogans,  but  made  it  almost  impossible  for  us  to  halt 
for  rest  with  any  degree  of  comfort.  We  had  marched  an  hour  perhaps,  when, 
skirting  a  piece  of  woods,  we  suddenly  came  to  a  junction  of  three  roads,  and 
saw  before  us  a  mill  on  the  bank  of  a  small  stream.  The  ruins  of  a  much  larger 

O 

mill  were  near  at  hand,  and  we  soon  learned  that  this  was  Gaines's  Mill  that  had 
figured  so  prominently  in  the  seven  days'  fight  before  Richmond.  Some  men 
were  at  work  on  the  mill,  and  a  squad  of  Confederate  cavalry  was  cooking  at  a 
fire  near  by.  So  sudden  had  been  our  approach  that  almost  before  we  knew  it 
we  were  in  plain  view  of  the  group,  and  not  ten  rods  away.  I  would  have  sold 
my  chances  cheap,  and  Ben  afterward  told  me  that  he  saw  Castle  Thunder  for  an 
instant  as  plainly  as  if  he  were  in  it.  "  Come  on,"  whispered  he,  "  It 's  no  use 
running,  but  remember  to  let  me  do  the  talking."  I  gladly  noticed  that  the  bold 
ness  of  our  manoeuvre  had  completely  thrown  them  off  their  guard.  We  asked 
each  other  in  turn  the  natural  questions  at  such  a  meeting.  Ben  told  them  that  we 
were  officers  of  the  Eleventh  Virginia  Infantry,  and  had  volunteered  to  go  as  spies 
into  the  Yankee  lines  to  find  out  the  progress  Dutch  Gap  canal  was  making. 

Our  dress  of  Union  blue  seemed  to  confirm  our  story,  and  in  fact  Thompson 
volunteered  the  information  that  we  had  secured  the  clothing  the  better  to  escape 
observation.  "  Do  you  know  Captain  Polk  of  the  Eleventh?"  said  the  officer  in 
charge  of  the  picket.  '"Well,  I  reckon,"  replied  Thompson,  "he  belongs  to 
my  mess,  I  left  him  only  a  day  or  two  ago.  Fine  fellow,  cap."  A  part  of  this 
was  literally  true,  for  in  exchanging  the  courtesies  of  the  picket-line  at  Port 
Walthall,  we  had  met  the  officer  referred  to.  Questions  over,  we  were  invited 
to  share  the  supper  of  the  party,  and  regaled  ourselves  with  bacon  roasted  on  a 
stick  over  the  fire,  and  corn  bread  cooked  at  a  neighboring  farmhouse.  With 
many  wishes  for  the  success  of  our  venture,  and  a  promise  on  our  part  to  call  on 
them  on  our  way  back  and  relate  our  adventures  among  the  Yanks,  we  parted 
the  best  of  friends.  "Take  care  of  yourselves,  boys,  them  Yanks  are  mighty 
sharp,"  were  the  last  words  that  followed  us.  Moving  down  the  road  so  long' as 
the  light  of  their  camp-fire  was  in  sight,  as  soon  as  possible  we  struck  for  the 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers,  469 

woods,  and  after  getting  under  cover  took  up  the  double-quick  for  a  mile  or  more 
without  a  halt.  By  that  time  the  excitement  of  our  adventure  had  subsided 
enough  to  allow  us  to  speak,  and  Ben  turning  to  me  said,  "  Bach,  another  one 
like  that  '11  be  too  much  for  me." 

Early  that  night,  the  third  since  our  escape,  and  only  a  couple  of  miles  from 
Gaines's  Mills,  we  found  ourselves  tumbling  about  among  the  intrenchments  and 
bomb-proofs  of  Cold  Harbor  battle-field.  A  field  where,  on  the  third  of  June 
preceding,  our  regiment  at  the  head  of  Humphrey's  division,  had  made  the  fatal 
charge  that  cost  us  more  than  half  our  men  in  the  short  space  of  five  minutes. 
No  Twelfth  New  Hampshire  boy  hears  the  name  Cold  Harbor  without  a  shudder 
to  this  day. 

Traces  of  the  savage  fight  were  lying  about  everywhere.  Canteens,  cartridge- 
boxes,  shattered  muskets,  and  here  and  there  the  bleaching  bones  of  comrades 
looked  up  into  our  faces,  white  and  distinct  in  the  darkness.  Damp  and  chilly 
as  it  was  we  could  have  enjoyed  'a  short  nap,  even  in  that  place,  had  I  not,  in 
groping  about  for  a  smooth  spot,  struck  something  hard  and  round,  and  upon 
carrying  it  to  the  light,  seen  the  grinning  features  of  a  skull  looking  at  me  with 
its  sightless  eyes.  We  could  endure  fatigue  better  than  sleep  with  such  compan 
ionship,  and  resumed  again  our  weary  tramp.  It  was  a  hideous  night;  blackness 
all  about,  but  light  enough  for  us  to  distinguish  the  scattered  bones  of  the  dead 
which  now  and  then  caused  us  to  stumble,  and  wonder  what  the  poor  owners  of 
seven  months  before  would  have  said  to  this  rude  intrusion  on  their  long  sleep. 
At  2  o'clock  that  night  a  light  ahead  gave  warning  of  a  dwelling.  It  proved 
to  be  a  negro  cabin.  Within,  a  father,  mother,  and  three  adult  daughters  were 
at  work  at  their  task  of  shelling  corn,  a  task  which  they  assured  us  must  be 
finished  before  they  could  receive  their  rations  of  food  for  the  next  day.  Despite 
their  own  dire  necessities,  they  begged  us  to  remain  the  day  out  at  their  cabin 
and  offered  to  share  with  us  their  scanty  fare.  With  some  hesitation  we  concluded 
to  stay,  worn  out  as  we  were  with  anxiety  and  travel.  A  few  dirty  rags  spread 
on  the  floor  of  a  loft  in  one' corner  of  the  cabin  served  as  a  bed,  and  so  completclv 
worn  out  were  we,  that,  though  the  family  continued  their  usual  occupations, 
neither  Ben  nor  myself  knew  what  was  occurring.  Early  the  succeeding  night. 
after  thanking  our  host,  and  promising  to  free  them  from  their  bondage  when  we 
had  conquered  the  rebs,  we  were  on  our  journev  ;  and  getting  bolder  with  our 
increasing  distance  from  Richmond,  we  determined  to  take  the  roads  instead  of 
avoiding  them  as  we  had  hitherto  done.  Bv  10  o'clock  we  had  reached  Barker's 
Mill,  the  scene  of  another  fight  of  the  Peninsular  campaign,  and  an  hour  later 
were  passing  the  ruins  of  Tyler's  house.  The  two  roads  leading  down  to 
Sumner's  grapevine  bridge  over  the  Chickahominy  river  were  left  to  our  right. 
We  had  learned  that  these  bridges  were  no  longer  passable,  and  hurrving  on  our 

wav  we  crossed  the   Richmond  &  York  River  Railroad  and  struck  the  highway 

j  &         j 

leading  to  Bottom's  bridge.  There  we  had  determined  to  recross  the  stream  and 
strike  for  camps  of  our  troops  that  we  knew  to  be  on  the  north  bank  of  the  James, 
and  some  twelve  miles  distant.  About  3  in  the  morning  we  approached  the 
bridge,  and  much  to  our  surprise  found  a  bright  camp-fire  at  the  centre  of  the 
road  and  about  four  rods  from  the  farther  end  of  the  bridge.  Horses  were 

O 

picketed  near  by,  their  saddles  on,  betokening  readiness  for  prompt  movement. 
A  sentry  stood  dreamily  looking  into  the  fire  at  his  feet,  his  carbine  at  "  secure." 


47°  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Thompson  and  I  hastily  retreat  into  a  thicket  by  the  roadside.  We  discuss  the 
situation  in  whispers.  There  are  two  alternatives  open  to  us  :  a  tramp  of  seventy 
miles  down  the  peninsula  to  Fortress  Monroe  with  all  the  risks  of  capture  such  as 
we  had  already  experienced,  or  an  equally  hazardous  attempt  at  crossing  the 
bridge  in  the  face  of  an  armed  guard,  with  almost  the  dead  certainty  of  bringing 
up  in  Richmond.  Pros  and  cons  are  carefully  weighed.  So  evenly  balanced 
seem  the  chances  that  we  cannot  make  a  choice.  "  Lie  still,  Ben,"  said  I, 
"•while  I  go  out  and  look  them  over  again."  Leaving  him  in  the  woods  I  creep 
along  on  my  hands  and  knees  to  the  end  of  the  bridge  nearest  us.  The  road  is  an 
embankment  as  it  approaches  the  bridge,  and  high  above  the  level  of  the  ground 
on  either  side,  reaches  the  crossing  at  a  dead  level.  The  river,  a  black,  ugly 
stream,  flows  sluggishly  by.  It  is  fifty  feet  or  more  in  breadth.  Anyone  attempt 
ing  to  cross  must  move  the  entire  distance  in  the  face  of  that  picket  standing 
there  by  his  fire,  and  nearing  him  at  every  step.  There  are  six  men,  at  least, 
under  their  blankets  near  the  fire.  If  there  were  but  one  we  might  dash  upon 
him  and  overpower  him.  I  return  to  my  companion  and  report.  -'There  is 
one  chance  in  a  thousand,"  1  said,  "and  that  is  the  best  I  can  make  of  it."  Hen 
suggests  lots ;  agreed.  He  cuts  two  twigs,  — "  Long  one  means  the  long  road; 
short  one,  the  bridge."  He  fixes  them  ;  I  draw.  It  is  the  long  stick!  Oft' we 
start  down  the  long  pike,  trying  to  think  we  have  done  the  best  in  choosing  as 
we  have.  We  can  hardly  drag  one  foot  after  the  other.  Our  feet  are  parboiled 
with  their  constant  soaking;  every  motion  of  the  body  is  torture;  the  terrible 
strain  of  the  last  five  days  has  begun  to  tell,  not  only  on  our  physical  endurance 
but  on  our  will  power  as  well.  "  Ben,"  I  say  at  last,  "  this  is  slow  murder.  I  'd 
as  soon  starve  in  Libby  as  walk  myself  into  the  grave.  What  do  you  say  to 
trying  the  bridge?"  "I'm  agreed,"  said  he,  and  back  we  tramp  over  the  half- 
mile  we  have  just  come.  We  agree  that  I  shall  lead,  and  Ben  keep  close  behind  ; 
if  the  guard  challenges  us  we  are  to  rush  for  the  woods,  and  run  the  chances  of 
bis  missing  us  when  he  fires.  Once  on  the  bridge  we  drop  on  hands  and  knees 
and  creep  cat-like  across.  Every  inch  brings  us  nearer  the  picket;  he  stands 
like  a  statue.  He  seems  to  nod  once,  but  as  I  wait  for  another  look  he  stoops 
down  and  tosses  some  brands  into  the  fire.  We  move  on  ;  each  thinks  the  other 
makes  twice  the  noise  he  needs  to.  We  are  at  the  end  of  the  bridge.  My  eyes 
are  almost  bursting  from  their  sockets  as  I  watch  that  man  at  the  fire.  A  yard 
more,  and  we  are  safe  !  It  is  the  longest  yard  I  have  ever  traveled  ;  it  ends  at 
last,  and  I  creep  clown  the  embankment  at  the  roadside  farthest  from  the  guard. 
Ben  sticks  close  behind,  and  is  the  last  to  be  out  of  danger.  We  steal  away 
through  the  bushes  and  take  the  first  long  breath,  and  as  we  do  so  the  sentry  for 
some  reason,  we  never  knew  what,  rouses  his  sleeping  companions  and  they 
stand  to  arms.  A  mile  away  under  the  shelter  of  some  pines  we  stretch  out  on 
the  pine  needles  and  are  fast  asleep  in  a  twinkling. 

The  sun  was  high  before  cither  of  us  awoke.  We  concluded  it  was  best  to 
lay  oft' for  the  day  and  not  run  the  chance  of  meeting  scouting  parties  of  the  rebs. 
As  soon  as  darkness  permitted  we  were  again  on  the  road,  and  happy  in  the 
thought  that  it  was  our  last  night  out.  At  the  first  farmhouse  we  reached  we 
very  incautiously  walked  up  to  the  door  and  knocked.  A  white  woman  appeared, 
evidently  the  mistress  of  the  house.  I  asked  for  food,  she  answered  by  asking 
who  we  were  and  why  we  were  there  in  that  plight.  Ben  interposed  with  the 


Nciv  Hampshire   Volunteers,  471 

same  story  he  had  used  at  Gaines's  Mills  with  such  good  effect.  It  was  all  to  no 
purpose.  "You'uns  ar  jes  Yanks,  you  don't  talk  like  we 'uns  down  here 'n 
Ilenraker,"  was  all  the  answer  we  got  in  reply  to  our  request  for  food.  "  We  've 
caught  a  Tartar,"  I  whispered  to  Thompson,  and  without  pressing  our  claims  on 
the  woman's  larder,  we  bade  her  good  night  and  hurried  off  through  the  fields 
towards  the  James.  Directly  we  reached  some  negro  quarters  belonging  to  the 
same  plantation,  and  making  our  way  in  asked  for  hoe-cake.  The  woman  began 
to  prepare  it  and  while  we  made  ourselves  comfortable  at  the  fire  a  negro  lad  ran 
in,  out  of  breath,  and  told  his  mother  that  his  mistress,  as  soon  as  we  were  out  of 
the  house,  had  dispatched  a  son  to  some  neighbors  a  mile  away  to  rouse  the  lads 
to  be  after  some  Yanks  that  had  been  there.  An  older  son  was  home  on  furlough 
from  the  Petersburg  lines  and  had  gone  to  a  dance  at  a  neighbor's.  "  It 's  time 
we  were  out  of  this,"  said  Ben,  and  without  waiting  for  the  hoe-cake,  now  about 
half  done,  we  made  good  time  over  fields  and  through  woods  for  a  couple  of 
miles  until  the  rough  jungle  forced  us  to  take  to  the  road  again.  We  tramped 
along  for  half  an  hour,  perhaps,  neither  of  us  speaking  meanwhile,  when  an 
overpowering  desire  came  over  me  to  rest.  I  declared  to  Ben  that  I  would  go  no 
farther  till  I  had  rested.  He  urged  our  keeping  on  ;  we  are  nearly  through,  said 
he ;  only  seven  miles  and  we  should  reach  Harrison's  and  then  we  could  rest  for 
good;  but  I  was  stubborn.  Ben  was  as  determined  as  I.  "  Then  I  am  going 
on  alone,"  he  said,  and  started  ahead.  I  walked  into  the  open  field  by  the  road 
side,  fifty  feet  or  so,  and  stretched  out  on  my  canvas,  Thompson  after  moving  on 
a  little  changed  his  mind,  came  back  where  I  was,  and  lay  down  by  my  side. 

We  were  lying  there  quietly,  with  the  moon  looking  us  in  the  face,  it  being 
now  between  ten  and  eleven,  when  the  rumble  of  a  wagon  fell  on  our  ears. 
Nearer  and  nearer  it  drew  to  us,  coming  from  the  direction  in  which  we  were 
bound.  We  should  have  met  it  had  we  kept  on.  As  the  team  reached  us  we 
saw  it  was  a  countryman,  whether  black  or  white  we  could  not  distinguish,  with 
a  load  of  wood.  His  mules  stopped  to  breathe  in  front  of  us,  and  almost  in  the 
same  instant  a  cavalryman  coming  from  our  rear  drew  rein  in  front  of  the  team. 
He  was  mounted  on  a  gray  horse,  and  heavily  armed.  "  Have  yer  seen  a  couple 
of  fellows  on  the  road  as  yer  come  along?"  said  he  addressing  the  teamster. 
The  man  answered  that  he  had  not.  The  soldier  then  went  on  to  say  that  two 
chaps  that  looked  like  escaped  prisoners  had  stopped  at  his  mother's  an  hour 
before  to  ask  for  food,  and  not  being  granted  it  had  hurried  off  through  the  field. 
"One  of  them,"  said  lie,  evidentlv  describing  Ben,  "was  a  stout  fellow  with  a 
Yank's  cap  and  heavv  moustache,  and  the  other  short  and  slim  like,  and  with  a 
slouched  hat.  They  both  had  Yanks'  uniforms,"  he  added,  "and  carried  some 
sort  of  blankets  over  their  shoulders."  To  the  two  fugitives  who  were  being  thus 
accurately  described,  this  conversation  was  becoming  decidedly  interesting.  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  I  never  hugged  any  five  feet  of  ground  closer  in  my  life. 
Neither  of  us  stirred.  There  we  lay  in  the  open  field  in  bright  moonlight,  and 
took  in  every  word.  One  glance  of  the  rider  towards  us  and  he  must  have  seen 
us.  To  our  infinite  relief  he  said  at  last,  "  I  reckon  as  how  the  rascals  must 
have  turned  off  on  Long  Bridge  road,"  and  then  turning  his  horse  he  kept  the 
mule  team  company  on  the  road  to  our  rear.  We  listened  to  their  voices  as  they 
died  away  in  the  distance,  and  congratulating  ourselves  on  this  last  narrow  escape, 
kept  on  our  wav,  Thompson  ahead  and  looking  out  for  dangers  in  advance,  and 
I  behind  with  an  occasional  backward  sflance  to  warn  of  trouble  from  the  rear. 


47 2  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Faint  streaks  of  dawn  were  appearing  in  the  east  when  Ben  caught  sight  of  a 
mounted  horseman  standing  statue-like  in  the  road  in  advance.  Fearful  of  mak 
ing  a  mistake,  we  reconnoitered  for  some  time  before  venturing  to  make  ourselves 
known.  Negroes  had  told  us  that  a  colored  regiment  with  gray  horses  were 
doing  picket  duty  at  the  Landing.  Ben  finally  sang  out,  "Hello  there,  don't 
shoot,  we  're  friends,  we  want  to  come  in."  t;  Corporal  the  guard  !  "  answered 
the  picket  without  noticing  us  directly.  In  a  moment  the  corporal  and  three 
men  charged  down  on  us  at  a  gallop  with  carbines  ready  for  instant  service. 
However,  we  had  no  difficulty  in  proving  who  we  were  to  their  satisfaction,  and 
in  a  few  minutes  we  were  made  welcome  by  the  Eighth  United  States  Colored 
Cavalry.  Once  back  with  the  picket  reserve  we  were  furnished  hot  coffee  and 
extra  blankets,  and  turned  in  for  sleep — and  such  sleeping  as  we  did  that 
morning!  On  waking,  someone  passed  us  a  mirror;  neither  Ben  nor  I  could 
recognize  ourselves,  and  no  wonder.  My  own  weight  had  fallen  oft',  as  I  after 
wards  learned,  from  one  hundred  and  forty-five  pounds  to  ninety-six  pounds,  and 
Ben's  in  like  proportion.  Our  complexions  had  sallowed,  and  the  vile  stench 
of  the  prison  hung  about  us  for  weeks  despite  new  uniforms  and  frequent  baths. 

To  tell  how  we  took  the  boat  the  next  day  to  Chapin's  Farm  where  our  corps 
was  then  stationed  ;  how  the  boys  turned  out  as  we  drew  near  the  camp,  and 
boosted  us  on  their  shoulders  and  rode  us  into  quarters  perched  high  in  air;  how 
the  officers  made  us  welcome  to  their  mess;  how  General  Weit/el  ordered  us  a 
thirty  days'  furlough  ;  how,  while  at  home,  we  received  commissions  as  officers ; 
how  when  we  took  Richmond  the  following  April,  I  paid  old  Pryor  a  visit  and 
relieved  him  of  some  of  the  arms  he  used  to  flourish  in  our  faces  —  all  these  are 
things  not  germane  to  my  storv,  which  amounts  to  this,  that  next  to  the  wear  and 
tear  of  a  life  in  Libby  and  all  that  that  implies,  is  the  wear  and  tear  of  getting 
out  of  Libby  and  all  that  that  includes. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

PORTRAITS  AND  SKETCHES. 

As  a  great  majority  of  those  who  may  read  this  history  \vill  not,  prob 
ably,  be  as  well  informed  about  military  matters  as  those  about  whom  it 
has  been  written,  it  may  be  well  to  its  better  understanding,  especially  of 
this  chapter,  to  here  state,  that  a  regiment  of  infantry,  as  organized  at 
the  time  of  our  late  war,  consisted  of  ten  companies  of  ninety-eight  men 
and  three  commissioned  officers  each. 

The  officers  of  a  regiment  consisted  of  a  colonel,  lieutenant-colonel, 
major,  adjutant,  quartermaster,  three  surgeons  —  chief  and  two  assistants 
—  and  chaplain.  These,  as  well  as  the  three  officers  of  each  company 
just  referred  to,  were  called  commissioned  officers  because  they  were 
commissioned  by  the  governor  of  the  state.  All  other  officers  of  com 
pany  or  regiment  were  appointed  by  the  colonel,  to  whom  they  alone 
were  responsible,  and  were  therefore  sometimes  called  subordinate  or 
non-commissioned  officers.  Of  those  belonging  to  the  regiment  were 
the  sergeant  major,  quartermaster  sergeant,  commissary  sergeant,  hos 
pital  steward,  and  drum  major,  who  were  also  known  as  the  non-com 
missioned  staff". 

None  of  these,  except  the  first,  were  officers  of  the  line,  so  called,  and 
were  not  required  to  go  into  battle  any  more  than  those  commissioned 
officers  whom  they  were  appointed  to  assist,  as  their  official  names  above 
given  plainly  show. 

The  sergeant  major  acted  chiefly  as  the  adjutant's  assistant  at  all 
times  and  places,  and  was  the  onlv  non-commissioned  officer  who  in 
active  service  carried  a  sword. 

The  company  non-commissioned  officers  consisted  of  one  hundred 
and  thirty  in  all,  or  live  sergeants  and  eight  corporals  to  each  company. 
These  ranked  according  to  the  date  of  their  appointment,  and  the  duties  of 
all  the  same  rank  similar,  except  one  in  each  company  called  the  first  or 
orderly  sergeant.  He  acted  as  clerk  for  the  company,  made  all  the 
details,  issued  all  orders,  etc.,  beside  attending  to  all  the  duties,  on  the 
march  and  in  battle,  of  the  common  soldier.  A  good  orderly  sergeant, 
in  the  line  of  duty  as  well  as  battle,  stood  side  by  side  with  his  captain, 
and  oftentimes  in  battle  had  to  take  and  fill  his  place.  This  much  that 
posterity  may  the  better  appreciate  him.  Many  of  the  best  soldiers  of 
the  regiment  have  held  at  some  time  this  important  position. 


474  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

The  names  of  all  officers  and  men  whose  pictures  appear  in  this 
chapter,  except  field  and  staff,  are  given  in  alphabetical  order,  regardless 
of  rank  or  position  ;  and  each  in  that  company  to  which  they  originally 
by  enlistment  belonged.  This  has  been  done  both  on  the  ground  of  con 
venience  and  justice,  it  being  as  hard  as  unfair  to  discriminate  in  this 
respect  in  favor  of  the  officers,  be  they  corporals  or  colonels. 

For  this  reason  no  officer,  whatever  his  rank  or  pecuniary  means, 
has  been  allowed  to  have  any  better  or  costlier  picture  engraved  for  this 
history  than  the  poorest  private.  This,  it  may  be  here  mentioned,  is 
according  to  the  original  plan  of  this  work  which  the  author,  though 
often  requested  and  sometimes  strongly  tempted,  has  never  deemed  best 
to  change.  His  chief  regret  is  that  he  has  not  been  able  to  find  and  give 
all  deserving  soldiers  of  the  regiment  a  picture  and  a  sketch  in  this 
history.  Especial  effort  has  been  made  to  get  pictures  of  the  soldiers 
that  best  showed  their  looks  when  carrying  the  sword  or  gun  in  the 
army,  such  being  the  faces  that  posterity  will  care  most  to  look  upon. 
For  this  reason  many  proffered  photographs  of  noble  looking  manhood 
of  later  years  have  been  refused  and  the  old  tintypes  of  thirty-five  years 
ago  accepted. 

One  of  the  chief  objects  of  the  biographical  sketches  in  this  chapter  has 
been  to  get  as  much  information  about  each  soldier  as  possible  into  little 
space.  To  this  end  much  has  been  sacrificed  to  brevity,  not  excepting, 
oftentimes,  even  the  common  rules  of  grammar,  to  say  nothing  ot  good 
rhetoric,  the  constant  inquiry  in  the  author's  mind  being,  not  is  this  or 
that  idea  properly  expressed,  but  can  the  reader  plainly  understand  it. 

Thus,  as  wall  be  seen,  letters,  words,  and  sentences  have  been  all 
made  to  contribute  sometimes  without  authority  or  precedent,  but  not 
entirely,  as  hoped,  without  reason. 

Much  of  importance  has  not  been  written  in  these  sketches  at  all, 
because  the  same,  in  brief,  can  be  found  in  the  general  roster  at  the  end 
of  the  book,  and  thus  much  needless  repetition  saved. 

Of  these  items  of  interest  are  the  time  and  place  of  enlistment  and 
place  of  residence  at  that  time;  dates  of  all  commissions  and  appoint 
ments,  and  places  and  dates  of  all  deaths  by  disease  or  on  the  battle-field, 
etc.,  etc. 

All  names  of  places,  not  otherwise  designated,  are  supposed  to  be 
located  in  New  Hampshire. 

The  names  of  soldiers'  children  given  in  these  sketches  are  all  written 
in  the  order  of  their  ages,  the  oldest  coming  first. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  475 

EXPLANATION. 

The  letters  and  figures  written  below  every  picture  in  this  chapter  are 
simply  an  abbreviated  description  of  that  soldier,  as  given  in  the  original 
enlisting  papers  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment,  now  on  file  in  the  adjutant- 
general's  office  at  Concord. 

These  letters  will  be  easily  understood  bv  every  veteran,  and  for  every 
civilian  who  may  take  an  interest  in  these  pages,  they  need  but  few  words 
of  explanation. 

A  soldier's  "  descriptive  list,''  as  used  in  the  army,  was  simplv  a  copy 
of  his  original  enlisting  papers.  In  the  abbreviated  form  and  sense  used 
here,  it  simply  means  the  color  of  the  eyes,  hair,  and  complexion  of  the 
soldier  when  he  enlisted,  and  his  height  in  feet  and  inches.  These 

c"> 

letters  and  figures  are  always  written,  and  are  to  be  read  in  the  same 
order  here  given. 

The  capital  letters  are  used  as  the  first  letters  of  the  words  for  which 
they  stand,  and  always  mean  the  same  word,  independent  of  position, 
except  the  letter  "  B." 

This  letter  alone  means  blue  or  brown,  as  it  may  be  found  in  the  first 
or  second  period  from  the  left ;  and  as  a  person's  hair  is  never  blue, 
though  his  eyes  are  more  usually  of  that  color  than  any  other,  while 
bro\vn,  among  the  soldiers,  was  the  prevailing  color  of  the  hair,  it  will  at 
once  be  seen,  therefore,  that  space  and  unnecessarv  letters  are  saved  by 
letting  this  letter  have  a  meaning  according  to  its  position. 

As  the  color  of  the  eyes  was  not  alwavs  blue  nor  the  hair  brown,  other 
letters  beside  '-  B"  are  used  to  designate  colors  and  shades  of  color  relat 
ing  to  both,  as  well  as  the  complexion  —  as  "A"  for  auburn,  "  Bk  "  for 
black,  "D"  for  dark,  "  G"  for  gray,  "  H"  for  hazel,  "  L  *'  for  light,  and 
"  S  "  for  sandy  :  and  sometimes  two  of  these  letters  are  found  together  in 
the  same  period.  Thus  e.  g.,  "  B.  DB.  L.  5-10"  means  blue  eyes,  dark 
brown  hair,  light  complexion,  and  five  feet  ten  inches  in  height. 

From  what  is  above  written  it  will  onlv  be  necessary  to  remember  the 
order  in  which  the  letters  come  to  plainly  understand  them. 


History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


B.   B.    I-.    5-9- 
GEN.  JOSEPH    II.    POTTER. 


R.    B.    L.    5-10. 
BVT.   COL.  JOHN    F.   MARSH. 


CHAPLAIN    THOMAS    L.   AMBROSE. 


B.    BK.    L.   6-2. 
LIKl'T.    COL.   GEORGE     D.    SAVAGE. 


J).    D.    L-5-9-- 
(QUARTERMASTER    ISAIAH    \\IXCII. 


NC-JU  Hampshire   Volunteers.  477 

GEX.  JOSEPH    II.  1'OTTKH. 

The  Twelfth  can  boast  of  but  one  general,  and  here  is  a  very  good  picture  of  him. 
He  was  the  first  colonel  of  the  regiment,  and  commanded  it  until  the  battle  of  Chancellors- 
ville,  where  he  was  wounded  in  leg  by  musket  ball  and  taken  prisoner. 

He  was  born  in  East  Concord  October  12,  1822  ;  was  the  son  of  Thomas  1).  and  I'nice 
(Marden)  Potter,  and  the  oldest  of  eleven  children,  all  of  whom  lived  to  mature  age  and 
six  of  whom  are  now  living. 

Graduating  in  1843  from  West  Point,  where  he  stood  in  class  rank  next  below  General 
Grant,  he  was  first  engaged  in  garrison  duty  and  then  in  the  military  occupation  of  Texas 
and  the  war  with  Mexico.  He  was  engaged  in  the  defense  of  Fort  Brown  and  slightly 
wounded  at  Monterey.  Subsequently,  being  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  in  the  Seventh 
Infantry,  he  served  on  garrison  duty  again  at  several  southern  and  western  frontier  posts 
until  1847,  when  he  was  promoted  to  captain  in  the  same  regiment,  A  year  or  two  later 
he  accompanied  the  Hah  expedition,  and  when  the  war  broke  out  between  the  states,  was 
on  duty  in  Texas,  where  he  was  captured  by  the  Confederates  July  27,  1801.  Soon  after 
his  exchange  in  August,  1862,  he  was  appointed  colonel  of  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire 
Volunteers,  and  commanded  the  regiment  until  severely  wounded  by  musket  ball  through 
the  left  leg  at  Chancellorsville,  where  he  was  taken  prisoner.  He  was  exchanged  October, 
1863,  and  was  assistant  provost-marshal-general  of  Ohio  until  September,  1«64.  when  he 
was  assigned  a  brigade  in  the  Eighteenth  Corps  of  the  Army  of  the  James,  having,  for  a 
time,  the  full  command  of  the  Bermuda  front.  It  was  here  that  the  "  Old  Twelfth  "  came 
again  under  his  command  as  one  of  the  regiments  of  his  brigade.  Later  he  was  assigned 
to  the  command  of  a  brigade  in  the  Twenty-fourth  Corps,  of  which  lie  soon  became  chief 
of  staff,  serving  as  such  to  the  end  of  the  war. 

During  the  war  he  was  appointed  major,  brevetted  lieutenant-colonel,  colonel,  and 
brigadier-general  in  the  regular  army,  and  promoted  to  brigadier-general  of  volunteers.  A 
few  months  after  his  discharge  from  the  volunteer  service  he  was  commissioned  lieutenant- 
colonel  in  the  Thirtieth  United  States  Infantry,  and  was  promoted  to  full  rank  as  colonel 
December  11,  1873.  He  did  not,  however,  receive  the  commission  of  brigadier-general, 
to  which  he  was  long  before  justly  entitled,  until  1886  or  1887,  when  he  was  appointed  to 
that  rank  by  President  Cleveland. 

For  four  years  before  this  he  was  governor  of  the  soldiers'  home  at  Washington,  D.  C., 
and  afterward  he  held  command  of  the  Department  of  Missouri  until  his  retirement  from 
the  service,  by  reason  of  age,  in  1886. 

He  was  married  to  Alice  G.,  daughter  of  Hon.  Lincoln  Kilbourne,  of  Columbus,  Ohio, 
September  12,  1865,  and  had  by  her  four  children —  Alice  F..  Jane  K..  Joseph  D.,  and 
Francis  D.,  who  are  still  living,  and  others  who  died  in  infancy.  Jane  K.  is  now  the  wife 
of  Lieutenant.  Hill  in  the  regular  army. 

General  Potter's  connection  with  the  Twelfth  as  its  colonel  was  brief,  but  it  was  long- 
enough  to  overcome  a  strong  prejudice  against  him  when  he  took  command,  and  build  up 
in  its  place  a  feeling  of  confidence  and  respect. 

He,  like  his  great  classmate,  was  a  man  of  few  words  ;  and  this,  with  his  natural 
reserve  and  regular  army  habit  of  official  dignity,  made  him  appear  more  austere  and 
apath&tic  than  he  really  was.  But  we  forbear  eulogy,  however  deserving,  except  to  say 
that,  while  he  had  not  the  fecund  brain  or  facund  tongue  of  a  W hippie  or  a  Harriman,  nor 
the  daring  energy  of  a  Cross,  it  will,  nevertheless,  be  hard  to  make  some  of  the  survivors  of 
his  regiment,  who  followed  him  safely  through  the  terrible  "  slaughter-pen  "  of  Fredericks, 
burg,  and  into  the  more  terrible  carnage  of  Chancellorsville,  believe  that  he  did  not  know 
his  business  as  well  as  any  colonel  that  ever  led  a  Xew  Hampshire  regiment  into  battle. 


478  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

BVT.  COL.  JOHX   F.  MARSH. 

This  brave  and  energetic  officer,  son  of  Fitch  P.  and  Mary  Jane  (Emery)  Marsh,  was 
born  in  Hudson,  February  1,  18:28.  He  is  of  the  seventh  generation  from  George  Marsh, 
who  came  from  England  with  his  family  in  1635  and  settled  in  Hingham,  Mass. 

The  son  of  a  farmer,  his  educational  advantages  were  of  the  district  school  and  village 
academy. 

Failing  to  obtain  an  expected  appointment  as  cadet  at  West  Point,  young  Marsh 
shouldered  a  musket  in  the  spring  of  1847,  and,  in  the  Ninth  United  States  Infantry, 
joined  the  army  under  Scott  to  serve  during  the  war  with  Mexico.  The  battles  of  Con- 
treras,  Churubusco,  Molino  del  Key,  Chapultepec,  The  Garitas,  and  city  of  Mexico,  in  most 
or  all  of  which  he  participated  with  his  regiment,  gave  him  a  practical  military  training, 
which  proved  of  great  use  to  him  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion. 

The  discovery  of  gold  in  California  next  attracted  his  attention,  and  he  sailed  from 
New  York  in  January,  1849,  for  Galveston,  Tex.,  where  he  organized  a  company,  of  which 
he  was  captain,  and  conducted  it  across  the  mountains  and  desert  wastes  of  northern 
Mexico,  enlivened  by  an  occasional  skirmish  with  hostile  Indians,  to  the  "  New  El 
Dorado,"  where  he  first  encamped  in  June  of  the  same  year. 

In  1855- '56  he  was  special  agent  in  the  post-office  department,  New  York  to  San  Fran 
cisco,  in  the  last  year  settling  in  Hastings,  Minn.,  where  he  was  postmaster  five  years  and 
also  mayor  of  the  city. 

Colonel  Marsh  entered  the  military  service  again  June  17,  1861,  as  first  lieutenant  hi 
the  Sixth  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  afterwards  a  part  of  the  famous  "  Iron  Brigade,"  and  was 
soon  promoted  to  a  captaincy.  Wounded  in  leg  at  the  battle  of  Gainesville,  August  28, 
1862.  and  while  at  his  home,  then  in  New  Hampshire,  was  appointed  lieutenant-colonel  of 
the  Twelfth  Regiment. 

In  battles  of  Fredericksburg*  and  Chancellorsville,*  and  severely  wounded  at  Chancel- 
lorsville,  and  never  in  active  service  in  the  field  afterwards.  He  did  most  or  all  of  the 
drilling  of  the  regiment  from  the  time  it  went  into  camp  at  Concord  until  he  left  it,  and 
brought  the  regiment,  for  the  short  time  he  had,  to  military  discipline  before  it  faced  the 
enemy  at  Fredericksburg.  While  in  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  (see  roster)  he  acted  for 
a  time  on  General  Casey's  board  to  examine  candidates  for  commissions  to  command 
colored  troops,  and  performed  special  duty  in  the  inspector-general's  department,  visiting 
and  reporting  upon  the  condition  of  the  military  prisons  for  Confederate  prisoners  of  war 
in  the  West.  He  was  commissioned  colonel  of  the  Twenty-fourth  United  States  Colored 
Infantry,  but  doubting  the  expediency  of  employing  the  freed  slaves  as  soldiers,  declined 
to  accept  the  position.  March  13,  1865,  he  was  brevetted  colonel  "for  gallant  and 
meritorious  conduct  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  Va.,"  and  resigned  August  16,  1865. 
After  the  war  he  was  appointed  United  States  pension  agent  for  New  Hampshire,  and 
for  the  last  twenty  years  or  more  has  been  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  surface-coated 
paper,  and  is  one  of  the  most  successful  business  men  of  Springfield,  Mass.,  where  he  now 
resides. 

December  22,  1818,  he  married  Harriet  L.  Warren,  of  Hudson,  and  his  second  wife 
was  Ida  M.  Phillips,  of  Springfield,  Mass.,  whom  lie  married  August  1,  1878. 

Although  of  a  fiery  and  impulsive  temperament,  which  in  the  enforcement  of  that 
strict  discipline  which  he  at  all  times  exacted,  would  sometimes  require  of  him  such 
severity  in  reprimanding  some  of  the  line  officers  for  their  carelessness  or  stupidity  in  their 
line  of  duty  as  to  provoke  their  ill  feelings,  yet  they  soon  learned  that  his  heart  was  as 
tender  as  his  temper  was  quick,  and  that  he  was  as  watchful  of  their  rights  and  wants  as 
he  was  of  their  wrongful  acts  and  blunders. 

Having  native  elements  of  success  in  himself,  as  his  record  shows,  lie  was  quick  to 
recognize  them  in  others,  and  he  believed  in  making  colonels  of  corporals,  regardless  of 
intermediate  ranks,  if  the  latter  were  the  better  fitted  and  more  deserving. 

*  See  pages  49-50  and  73-74. 


JVeiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  479 

CHAPLAIN    THOMAS    L.  AMBROSE. 

Chaplain  Ambrose  of  the  Twelfth  Xe\v  Hampshire  Volunteers,  son  of  Nathaniel  and 
Hannah  (Roberts)  Ambrose,  was  born  in  Ossipee,  June  10,  1829.  From  early  youth  he 
evinced  a  kind  and  forgiving  disposition,  which  won  the  respect  and  good  will  of  his  asso 
ciates,  and  gave  promise  of  the  noble  character  of  the  man.  It  was  this,  probably,  together 
with  his  early  menial  development,  that  made  the  remark  common  in  the  neighborhood 
that  "he  was  born  to  be  a  minister";  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  he  entered  Bovvdoin 
College  with  this  intention  and  graduated  with  distinction  in  the  class  of  1856.  After  two 
years  of  theological  study  at  New  York  and  Andover,  Mass.,  he  was  ordained  in  his  native 
town  a.s  a  minister  of  the  gospel  on  the  twenty -first  day  of  July,  1858,. and  in  August  fol 
lowing  he  sailed  from  Boston,  under  the  auspices  of  the  American  Board  of  Foreign 
Missions,  as  a  missionary  to  Persia,  where  for  nearly  three  years  he  labored  with  great  zeal 
and  success.  While  there,  on  one  of  his  tours  through  the  mountains,  he  had  a  providen 
tial  escape  from  a  band  of  Koardish  robbers,  who  were  lying  in  ambush  to  waylay  him. 

In  18(51,  his  health  becoming  greatly  impaired  from  the  effects  of  a  severe  sickness,  he 
was  reluctantly  persuaded  to  return  home  for  a  while  and  recruit.  Again  on  his  native 
hills,  he  soon  recovered,  but  his  intention  of  returning  soon  changed  into  a  strong  desire  to 
enter  the  service  of  his  own  beloved  but  now  imperilled  country ;  and  when  the  Twelfth 
Regiment  was  raised,  he  gladly  accepted  the  position  of  its  chaplaincy  offered  him  by 
Governor  Berry,  being  commissioned  as  such  September  17,  1862,  and  immediately  went 
into  camp  with  the  regiment  at  Concord.  From  this  time  until  struck  down  by  the  fatal 
bullet  from  a  rebel  sharpshooter  in  front  of  Petersburg  on  the  twenty-fourth  of  July,  1864, 
while  on  his  way  from  the  regiment  in  the  trenches  to  a  field  hospital  in  the  rear  —  where 
for  some  time,  in  addition  to  his  other  duties,  he  had  been  laboring  —  lie  was  scarcely 
absent  a  single  day  from  his  post  of  duty.  He  was  taken  prisoner  with  Colonel  Potter  at 
Chancellorsville,  where  for  many  days  after  the  battle  he  proved  a  ministering  angel  to  our 
wounded  and  dying  left  upon  the  field. 

At  Gettysburg  and  Cold  Harbor  his  care  and  labor  for  suffering  humanity  were 
sleepless  and  unremitting.  When  wounded  he  was  at  once  sent  to  Chesapeake  General 
Hospital,  Fortress  Monroe,  where  after  a  careful  examination  and  dressing  of  his  wound 
he  seemed  so  strong  and  cheerful  that  hopes  were  entertained  of  his  recovery.  But  no 
more  that  greeting  smile  was  to  cheer  and  gladden  the  few  war-worn  veterans  of  his  regi 
ment  that  were  still  left,  and  who  had  learned  to  love  him  so  well. 

Secondary  hemorrhage  necessitated  an  operation  to  take  up  the  severed  artery  in  the 
groin,  but  his  weakened  condition  from  the  effects  of  the  wound  and  loss  of  blood  was  not 
sufficient  to  withstand  the  shock,  and  on  the  nineteenth  of  August,  1SG1,  with  an  angel's 
smile  upon  his  countenance,  he  broke  the  seal  of  life  and  passed  beyond  the  veil. 

He  was  eminently  a  man  of  deeds,  rather  than  words  ;  yet  his  sermons,  like  himself, 
were  solid  in  sense  and  full  of  love  and  goodness.  The  purity  of  the  source  more  than  the 
force  of  the  current  tended  to  cleanse  the  hearts  of  his  hearers,  and  hence  his  preaching 
\vas  most  effective  to  those  who  knew  him  best.  His  every-day  life  was  an  eloquent 
sermon,  for  his  every  act  was  a  Christian  pattern.  An  intimate  friend,  who,  perhaps  as 
much  as  any  other  member  of  the  regiment,  shared  his  love  and  confidence,  says:  "I 
never  knew  of  a  sermon  from  him  while  in  the  service  that  did  not  bear  fruits  of  repent 
ance,  and  many  men  were  radically  changed  and  hopefully  converted." 

His  last  Sabbath  on  earth  found  him  still  laboring  for  the  great  cause  of  his  heart  and 
life,  preaching  his  last  farewell  sermon  to  the  patients  and  attendants  around  him,  while 
lying  prostrate  on  '•  the  waiting  couch  of  death." 

Wherever  lives  a  veteran  survivor  of  the  Twelfth,  there  can  be  found  one  who,  in  some 
way,  has  been  the  recipient  of  his  kindness  and  care,  and  many  will  remember  him  with 
tears  of  gratitude,  as  they  read  this  poor  tribute  to  his  memory.  And  could  the  silent  lips 
of  tl'-  lamented  dead,  whose  last  lingering  gaze  rested  upon  him  but  sp°ak,  what  a  grand 
acclamation  of  commingled  praise  and  blessing  would  rise  to  consecrate  and  immortalize 
his  name!  The  regiment  was  his  home,  and  all  the  boys,  as  he  used  to  call  them,  respected 


480  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

and  loved  him  as  a  father.  With  and  for  them  he  liked  to  be  and  labor,  and  it  gladdened 
his  great  and  oftentimes  sorrow-laden  heart  to  know  that  his  paternal  care  and  love  were 
felt  and  reciprocated.  As  said  of  him  by  Captain  Heath,  who  has  since  joined  him  on 
the  other  shore,  "  A  braver  man  never  lived,  a  truer  man  never  wore  the  garb  of 
Christianity." 

Bright  burns  his  light  in  memory's  hall, 

Sweet  in  our  hearts  his  treasured  name ; 
With  smile  of  Christian  love  for  all, 

He  lived  for  Heaven,  and  died  the  same. 


LIEUT.  COL.  GEORGE   1).  SAVAGE. 

» 
This  highly  respected  officer  was  the  oldest  of  the  eleven  children  of  Capt.  Benjamin 

and  Lois  (Davis)  Savage,  and  was  born  in  New  Durham,  March  7,  1818.  Married  Hannah 
H.,  daughter  of  Reuben  Lang,  of  Brookfield,  December  22,  1842.  Children,"  Mary  L., 
Jennie  E.,  George  F.,  Charles  R.,  Henrietta,  and  Jessie. 

In  Fredericksburg,  and  wounded  so  severely  by  musket  ball  in  lower  jaw  at  Chan- 
cellorsville  that  he  was  never  with  the  regiment,  except  a  short  time  at  Point  Lookout, 
afterward. 

He  moved  from  his  native  town,  where  he  had  spent  the  years  of  his  early  manhood 
in  cultivating  the  soil,  to  Alton  in  1849,  and  soon  after  opened  a  hotel  there,  which  he  con 
tinued  the  proprietor  of  until  his  death. 

He  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  prominent  men  in  his  town 
and  county,  representing  his  town  for  two  years  in  the  legislature,  holding  the  office  of 
railroad  commissioner  for  the  same  time,  and  being  deputy  sheriff  for  fifteen  years  or 
more. 

He  had  in  early  life  taken  considerable  interest  in  military  affairs,  and  was  a  major  in 
the  old  state  militia  years  before  he  was  appointed  to  the  same  rank  as  a  volunteer  officer 
of  the  Twelfth  Regiment,  and  "  Major  Savage  "  was  the  name  and  rank  by  which  he  was 
so  well  known,  regardless  of  his  promotion,  so  long  as  he  lived. 

Major  Savage  —  for  we  must  still  call  him  so  —  as  an  officer  honored  his  rank,  and  as 
a  man  deserves  great  praise.  Beneath  a  rough  exterior  there  beat  in  him  a  great  and 
tender  heart.  Though  towering  head  and  shoulders  above  many  of  his  fellow  men,  for  he 
was  six  feet  and  two  inches  tall,  he  never  forgot  that  he  stood  upon  the  same  ground  level 
with  them  all,  nor  failed,  while  in  the  army  or  out.  to  recognize  the  fact,  so  often  ignored 
in  the  army,  that 

"The  rank  is  but  the  guinea's  stamp, 
The  man 's  the  gowd  for  a'  that." 

Though  his  manly  altitude  was  such  that  he  could  look  down  with  indignant  contempt 
upon  any  officer,  whatever  hia  rank,  who  was  unmindful  of  the  wants  and  rights  of  his 
men,  yet  he  was  never  too  high  to  stoop  and  listen  to  the  grievances  of  the  poorest  and 
simplest  private  of  his  regiment,  and  be  his  advocate,  if  his  cause  was  worthy  of  defense. 

Once,  when  one  of  his  brother  field  officers  was  speaking  harshly  of  the  conduct  of 
some  of  the  musket-bearers,  he  was  heard  by  the  writer  to  administer  this  truthful  and 
well  deserved  rebuke  :  "  Tut,  tut,  my  friend  !  do  n't  be  too  severe.  Remember  we  have 
the  honor  of  commanding  scores  of  men  in  this  regiment,  without  as  much  as  a  corporal's 
stripe  upon  their  arms,  who  are  better  men  than  you  or  I  dare  be." 

It  was  this  feeling  of  kindness  toward,  and  appreciation  of  his  men,  acted  as  well  as 
expressed  whenever  occasion  required,  that  endeared  him  to  the  rank  and  file,  even  in  the 
short  time  he  was  with  them,  and  that  makes  his  memory  cherished  in  the  heart  of  every 
survivor  to-day. 

Elder  Capt.  J.  M.  Durgin,  in  compliance  with  his  request,  preached  his  funeral 
sermon,  delivering  an  eloquent  eulogy  upon  him  as  a  citizen  and  a  soldier,  and  his  old  war 
horse  followed  him  to  the  grave.* 

*  See  page  369. 


Neiu  Hampshire   Volunteers.  481 

QUARTERMASTER   ISAIAH   WINCH. 

This  officer,  whose  record  was  as  good  as  it  is  here,  for  want  of  data,  short,  was  born 
in  Newton,  Mass.,  in  1820. 

He  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Farley,  died  in  Laconia 
about  1854,  and  left  one  son,  Charles  F.  Winch,  who  engaged  in  business  in  the  city  of 
New  York.  Lieutenant  Winch  (see  roster)  moved  to  Meredith  in  185G,  and  went  into 
trade  there  with  Col.  E.  Stevens  and  E.  Winch,  a  brother  of  his.  In  April,  1857,  he 
married  Livonia  1).  Watson,  a  niece  of  Doctor  Mason,  of  Moultonborough,  by  whom  he 
had  one  daughter,  Anna  Mason,  who  married  a  Mr.  Lawrence,  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  she 
and  her  mother  now  reside.  A  son  died  in  infancy. 

After  the  war  he  moved  to  Fernandina,  Fla.,  and  engaged  in  trade  there  with  J.  H. 
Prescott,  his  former  quartermaster  sergeant  in  the  army,  and  remained  there  until  his 
death  (see  roster). 

He  deserves  much  praise  for  the  faithfulness,  efficiency,  and  honesty  in  which  he  per 
formed  his  important  part  of  supplying  the  men  with  quartermaster  stores,  and  properly 
accounting  for  everything  that  came  into  his  hands. 

He  seemed  to  be  the  right  man  in  the  right  place,  a  man  who  did  his  work  so  quietly 
and  silently  that  it  seemed  to  run  itself  with  little  or  no  friction.  lie  appeared  to  have  no 
military  ambition  except  to  do  his  whole  duty,  and  that  he  did  without  show  of  authority 
or  ostentation.  He  was  a  good  man  and  officer. 


SURG.  HADLEY  B.  FOWLER, 

Whose  death  occurred  at  Bristol,  in  this  state,  January  11,  1893,  was  the  son  of  Captain 
Blake  and  Ruth  (Sleeper)  Fowler,  and  was  born  in  Bridgewater,  March  22,  1825. 

Receiving  a  high  school  education  he  studied  medicine  and  graduated  at  Dart 
mouth  Medical  College  in  1850.  He  practiced  his  profession  in  Alexandria  and  Bristol 
until  he  entered  the  service  of  his  country  and  was  commissioned  as  surgeon  of  the  Twelfth 
New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  being  the  first  officer  to  receive  a  commission  in  this  regiment. 
His  father  and  son  went  with  him  to  the  front;  the  former  as  captain  of  Company  C 
though  nearly  three  score  years  of  age,  and  the  latter  as  his  father's  private  orderly  though 
scarcely  in  his  teens.  Moreover  his  grandfather,  David  Fowler,  who  was  a  soldier  of  the 
Revolution,  hired  a  substitute  to  take  the  place  that  he  himself  was  too  old  to  fill  in  the 
ranks  of  the  same  regiment,  thereby  making  four  generations  present  in  person  or  by  rep 
resentative  in  one  single  regiment  of  the  Union  army. 

He  helped  his  father  in  recruiting  and  organizing  Company  C,  and  was  the  first  to 
receive  a  commission,  so  he  could  examine,  as  he  did,  all  the  companies  but  one  as  they 
came  into  camp  at  Concord.  His  father,  himself,  and  son  (see  sketch)  were  all  taken 
prisoners  near  Warrington  while  marching  to  Falmouth,  Va.,  where  he  rejoined  his  regi 
ment  by  exchange  in  February  following. 

He  was  present,  as  believed,  and  acted  as  surgeon  in  every  battle  of  the  regiment  except 
Fredericksburg,  when  he  was  a  prisoner  of  war.  At  Chancellorsville  he  had  charge  of 
brigade  field  hospital,  and  at  Gettysburg  was  operating  surgeon  of  Second  Brigade,  Second 
Division,  Third  Corps,  where  he  was  the  hero  of  the  amputation  table,  few,  if  any,  severing 
more  limbs  and  saving  more  lives  by  his  courage,  alertness,  and  skill.  After  this  he  was 
always  recognized  as  a  leader  in  his  profession,  and  he  was  placed  in  many  positions  of 
honor  and  great  responsibility.  At  Drury's  Bluff  he  was  made  chief  operator  of  the 
Eighteenth  Corps,  and  on  the  day  of  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor  was  ordered  to  take  charge 
of  the  Eighteenth  Army  Corps  Hospital,  which  position  he  held  until  he  was  sent  west  by 
the  War  Department,  as  one  of  a  board  of  examiners,  to  inspect  the  sick  and  wounded 
soldiers  of  Ohio  in  the  Fall  of  1864.  On  his  return,  two  months  later,  he  was  ordered  by 
Major-General  B.  F.  Butler  to  build  a  hospital  for  the  Army  of  the  James  at  Point  of 
Rocks,  Va.  When  completed,  Doctor  Fowler  was  put  in  charge  and  also  given  command  of 
the  post,  which  position  he  held  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In  this  position  Doctor  Fowler's 
executive  capacity  was  heavily  taxed,  as  the  reader  may  better  see  by  the  following  words 
and  figures  : 

31 


482  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Number  of  beds  for  patients,  3,500 ;  for  officers  and  attendants,  nearly  500 ;  34  sur 
geons,  3  chaplains,  a  quartermaster  and  commissary,  5  stewards,  31  ward  masters,  25 
matrons,  300  nurses,  75  cooks,  with  85  men  and  officers  constantly  on  guard,  and  all  the 
necessary  paraphernalia  to  arrange  for  and  look  after. 

In  May,  1805,  he  received  an  appointment  by  the  War  Department  to  remain  in  the 
Freedman's  Bureau  under  Major-General  Howard,  but  owing  to  impaired  health  and 
solicitations  of  relatives  and  friends,  he  returned  home  with  his  regiment. 

Thus  very  briefly  is  sketched  his  army  record,  for  a  small  volume  would  be  necessary 
to  give  it  in  detail,  and  from  some  pens  would  be  interesting  reading.  A  few  characteristic 
anecdotes  will  be  found  related  of  him  elsewhere  in  this  history  and  many  more  might  be 
told  all  indicative  of  the  man.  He  was  not  one  of  those  who  was  "  all  things  unto  all 
men,"  but  his  likes  and  dislikes  for  friend  and  foe  were  too  strongly  marked  and  well 
defined  to  be  easily  misunderstood.  His  intimate  friends  were  few  though  respected  by  all, 
and  those  few  were  near  and  dear  to  him.  Yet,  such  at  times  were  his  strange  odd  ways 
and  moods  that  they  surprised  even  those  who  knew  him  best.  But  he  has  left  us  at  the 
command  of  Him  who  made  him  such,  and  he  will  long  be  remembered  for  his  noble 
record  for  his  country,  and  for  his  many  good  and  rare  qualities  of  head  and  heart.  He 
was  first  married,  November  25,  1847,  to  Caroline  L.  Smith,  of  Nashua,  and  had  by  her 
three  children,  George  H.  (see  sketch),  Charles  E.,  and  Edgar  O.  Mother  and  children 
all  dead  but  George.  February  19,  1884,  he  was  again  married  to  Sarah,  daughter  of  Orrin 
Lock,  of  Bristol,  who  now  lives  there  with  her  mother. 

ASST.  SURG.  CHARLES  W.  HUNT 

Was  a  son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Julia  A.  (  Blaisdell )  Hunt,  a  grandson  of  the  late  Rev.  William 
Blaisdell,  and  great  grandson  of  Enoch  Hunt,  who  fought  on  many  of  the  battle-fields  of 
the  Revolution.  He  was  born  in  Gilford,  December  8,  1832,  and  died  of  typhoid  fever  at 
Point  Lookout,  Md.,  August  24,  1863. 

Receiving  a  liberal  education  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine,  and  graduated  as 
a  physician  at  Hanover,  in  1856.  He  practiced  his  profession  in  his  native  town  until  he 
enlisted.  As  a  soldier  and  physician  he  was  brave  and  faithful.  I  think  it  may  be  truth 
fully  said  of  him,  that  no  soldier  ever  suffered  because  of  his  indifference  or  neglect.  "  If 
needs  be  I  am  willing  to  die  for  my  country,"  he  said,  and  his  words  were  verified  by  his 
fearless  devotion  on  the  field  of  Chancellorsville,  where,  regardless  of  the  shot  and  shell  of 
the  advancing  foe,  he  stood  manfully  at  his  post  of  duty ;  and  when  the  crumbling  walls 
and  kindling  flames  of  the  Chancellor  House  —  then  crowded  with  suffering  humanity  — 
added  new  terror  and  agony  to  the  scene,  his  heroic  efforts  to  rescue  and  save  his  wounded 
comrades,  even  after  he  was  taken  prisoner,  deserved  and  received  the  highest  praise  of  his 
commander,  Colonel  Potter,  who  lay  a  helpless  eye-witness  to  his  brave  and  noble  deeds. 

In  a  letter,  written  home  soon  after  the  battle,  he  says  :  "  But  soon  the  alarm  was 
given  that  the  house  was  on  fire.  Then  I  made  up  my  mind  to  meet  death  for  I  could  see 
no  possible  way  to  avoid  it.  Still. I  was  calm.  I  thought  of  my  quiet  home,  my  dear 
friends,  and  the  last  letter  I  wrote  before  leaving  camp  in  which  I  asked  my  dear  mother 
to  remember  me  in  her  prayers  in  the  coming  struggle." 

After  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  when  he  again  was  on  the  field  of  death,  he  remained 
two  or  three  weeks  laboring  in  the  field  hospital,  where,  following  his  exhausted  condition 
from  the  days  and  nights  on  the  field,  he  contracted,  it  is  thought,  the  disease  of  which  he 
soon  after  died,  lamented  by  all  who  knew  him. 


ASST.  SURG.  JOHN  II.  SANBORN. 

This,  the  only  survivor  of  the  original  three  surgeons,  appointed  to  look  after  the  physi 
cal  welfare  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment,  was  born  in  Meredith,  September  23,  1830,  and  is  the 
son  of  Dr.  John  and  Susan  (  Hubbard  )  Sanborn. 

With  well-earned  academic  honors,  but  neither  enlarged  nor  embellished  by  a  regular 
college  course,  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with  his  father,  in  Meredith,  and 
afterward  studied  with  his  brother,  Dr.  J.  A.  Sanborn,  of  Plymouth,  and  Prof.  B.  R. 


J\  C-M  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


483 


B.   B.   L.   6-O. 
SURG.    HADLEY    B.   FOWLER. 


DB.    B.   L.   6-O. 
ASST.    SURG.   CHARLES    W.    HUNT. 


B.   B.    L.   5- 
ASST.   SURG.  JOHN    II.   SANBORN. 


II.   DB.    L.   6-li. 
ASST.   SURG.   SAMUEL    P.   CARBEE. 


484  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Palmer,  of  the  Vermont  Medical  College,  Woodstock,  Vt.  He  graduated  at  the  Berkshire 
Medical  Institute,  at  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  November  23,  1852.  He  practiced  his  profession  in 
Alstead  until  December,  1855,  and  in  Meredith  until  his  enlistment.  (See  roster.) 

Married  to  Elizabeth  H.,  daughter  of  Rev.  Giles  Leach,  and  sister  of  Levi  Leach  (see 
sketch),  May  16,  1854.  Children,  Giles  L.,  Harriet  L.,  Susan  L.,  and  Bettie  F.,  all  of 
whom  are  dead,  but  Harriet  L.,  who  married  Edgar  A.  Jones,  and  lives  with  her  father. 
His  grandfather,  Jeremiah  Sanborn,  and  his  great-grandfather,  John  Sanborn,  were  both 
in  the  Revolution,  the  latter  being  an  officer.  Dr.  Sanborn  (see  sketch)  was  present  at  the 
battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Gettysburg,  Drury's  Bluff,  Siege  of  Petersburg,  and  Cold  Har 
bor,  but  was  on  detached  service  from  January  1  to  July  14,  1863,  at  Brigade  Hospital  at 
Falmouth,  Va. 

After  the  war  he  resumed  his  practice  at  Meredith  for  some  years,  and  then 
removed  to  Franklin,  where  he  soon  established  an  enviable  reputation,  and  is  well  known 
as  one  of  the  best-read  physicians  of  the  old  school  and  one  of  her  most  prominent  citizens. 
He  has  been  a  member  of  the  State  Medical  Society,  president  of  the  Central  District  Medi 
cal  Society,  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education,  of  the  city  of  Franklin.  Having  by 
nature  a  good  memory  to  assist,  and  a  large  fund  of  wit  from  which  to  draw,  lie  was  always 
a  welcome  visitor  around  the  camp-fire  in  the  army,  as  he  has  been  in  the  social  circle  at 
home,  and  will  be,  I  trust,  when  he  goes  to  join  the  vast  army  of  comrades  that  are  now 
•'  marching  on." 


ASST.  SURG.  SAMUEL  P.  CARBEE. 

This,  the  youngest  son,  among  the  ten  children,  of  John  II.  and  Anna  (Powers)  Car- 
bee,  was  born  in  Bath,  June  14,  1836.  His  grandfather,  Joel  Carbee,  was  of  Scotch-Irish 
descent,  and  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  His  brother,  William,  a  captain  of  Company 
H,  Twenty-fourth  Iowa  Volunteers,  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills,  Miss.,  May 
22,  1863. 

Dr.  Carbee,  when  an  awkward,  overgrown  farmer's  boy,  loved  reading  books  better  than 
picking  rocks,  and  stored  his  mind,  while  his  body  grew,  with  common  English,  and  an 
academic  sprinkle  of  the  classics,  until  he  became  a  teacher  himself.  Deciding  to  be  a  dis 
ciple  of  /Esculapius,  he  commenced  and  continued  the  study  of  medicine  under  the  instruc 
tion  of  the  famous  Crosby  family  until  he  left  his  chosen  path  of  peace  to  join  the  rugged 
ranks  of  war.  For  the  first  year  or  more  of  his  army  life  he  served  on  detached  duty  as 
clerk  in  the  commissary  and  medical  departments,  acting  a  while  as  hospital  steward.  After 
receiving  his  commission  as  assistant  surgeon  (see  roster)  he  was  all  the  time  with  the 
regiment,  except  from  May  to  December,  1864,  when  he  was  detailed  for  service  at  Point 
of  Rocks  Hospital,  Va.,  acting  as  chief  executive  officer  there  for  most  of  that  time.  He 
was  present  at  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Wapping  Heights,  Swift  Creek, 
Relay  House,  Drury's  Bluff,  Cold  Harbor,  Siege  of  Petersburg,  and  Capture  of  Richmond, 
and  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  Union  surgeon  to  enter  the  city  at  that  time ;  also,  as 
believed,  at  the  battle  of  Fort  Harrison. 

After  the  war  he  attended  lectures  at  Dartmouth  Medical  College,  receiving  his 
diploma  there  in  November,  1865,  and  commencing  practice  in  Ilaverhill,  where,  for  nearly 
thirty  years,  he  has  so  faithfully  and  successfully  performed  the  duties  of  his  calling  as  to 
establish  an  enviable  reputation  as  a  physician,  and  win  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the 
community.  But  most  of  all  to  his  credit  and  praise  it  may  be  said  that  his  best  skill  and 
energies  have  always  been  at  the  command  of  the  poor  as  well  as  the  rich,  and  many  can 
bear  testimony  that  he  has  oftener  refused  than  demanded  his  pay.  He  is  and  has  been 
prominently  connected  with  medical  societies,  now  being  president  of  the  New  Hampshire 
Medical  Society ;  was  fourteen  years  on  a  pension  board  of  examiners  for  his  county, 
and  has  often  received  the  political  preferment  of  his  party  in  local  matters,  being,  in  1884, 
one  of  the  nominees,  as  county  commissioner,  to  lead  the  Republican  party  of  Grafton 
County  to  victory  for  the  first  time  for  nearly  twenty  years. 

Married,  September  30,  1885,  to  N.  Delia,  daughter  of  Lyman  Buck,  of  Ilaverhill. 
(  No  children.)  He  is  tall  and  of  prepossessing  exterior,  and  was,  when  in  the  army,  the 
largest  commissioned  officer  of  which  the  regiment  could  boast,  excepting  Major  Savage. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers.  •  485 


COMPANY   A. 

This  company  was  raised  principally  in  the  towns  of  Alton  and  New 
Durham,  these  two  towns  furnishing  eighty  men,  of  which  the  former 
contributed  fifty-nine  and  the  latter  twenty-one,  nearly  all  of  whom  were 
enlisted  by  George  D.  Savage,  who  was  soon  afterward  commissioned 
major  of  the  regiment.  The  rest  of  the  men  came  from  the  towns  of 
Wentworth,  Bartlett,  Thornton,  Allenstown,  Dover,  Lincoln,  Exeter, 
Plymouth,  and  Loudon,  of  which  seven,  or  nearly  half,  were  residents  of 
Wentworth,  or  were  counted  on  her  quota. 

The  company,  before  going  into  camp  at  Concord,  rendezvoused  at 
Alton  Corner  when  necessary  to  meet  for  drill  or  otherwise,  and  it  was 
there  that  it  first  met  and  organized  by  the  election  of  its  officers,  includ 
ing  sergeants  and  corporals.  Moses  H.  Savage,  of  Alton,  was  elected 
captain,  and  James  M.  York  and  Nathan  Chesley,  of  Alton,  were  chosen 
as  first  and  second  lieutenants,  and  afterward  commissioned  as  such  ;  and 
Hiram  Moone}^  selected  as  first  or  orderly  sergeant.  The  other  sergeants 
were  Frank  F.  Frohock,  John  Colomy,  James  Sleeper,  and  Samuel  G. 
Colbath.  The  corporals  were  Moses  Twombly,  George  P.  Miller, 
William  P.  Watson,  Leroy  A.  Clough,  Charles  M.  Evans,  William  B. 
Stott,  Ivory  Stillings,  and  George  F.  Davis.  Charles  H.  Canney  and 
Ira  M.  Rollins  produced  music  for  the  company  from  the  fife  and  drum, 
as  it  marched  into  the  state  house  yard  at  Concord  on  the  fifth  of  Septem 
ber,  1862,  to  be  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  as  the  first 
company  to  be  sworn  in  as  such  of  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire 
Volunteers. 


486  History  of  the  Tvvclfth  Regiment 

LIEUT.  MAHEW  C.  BATCHELDER. 

Gladly  and  proudly  the  pen  traces  out  the  record  of  a  soldier  so  worthy  a  name  in  his 
tory  as  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  That  he  enlisted  as  a  private  and  served  in  the  ranks 
nearly  half  of  the  time  he  was  in  the  service  makes  him  all  the  more  deserving  of  praise. 

Son  of  Ira  and  Sally  (  Robinson)  Batchelder,  and  born  in  Windham,  Me.,  September  1, 
1836.  Married  Angeline  Oilman,  sister  of  Charles  M.  Oilman  (see  sketch),  April  10,  1855, 
and  his  only  children,  Charles  W.  and  Albert  M.,  are  both  living.  A  strong  constitution 
and  rare  good  luck,  with  a  manly  determination  to  stand  in  the  front  line  of  duty  so  long 
as  able,  permitted  him  to  be  present  for  duty  with  his  regiment  all  the  time  from  muster-in 
to  muster-out,  except  when  disabled  by  a  wound  in  the  side  from  a  shell  in  front  of  Peters 
burg.  And  nothing  can  show  better  this  officer's  conscientious  devotion  to  duty  than  the 
fact  that  though  a  piece  of  the  shell  struck  him  hard  enough  to  cut  through  his  sword-belt, 
chafe-pad,  coat,  vest,  pants,  and  under-clothing,  and  make  such  a  serious  contusion  on  his 
left  side  that  he  never  fully  recovered  from  the  effects  upon  his  spleen  and  kidneys  until 
his  death,  which  it  was  largely  the  cause  of ;  yet  in  only  twenty  days  he  left  the  hospital 
and  reported  to  the  regiment  for  duty. 

Two  brothers,  Henry  A.  and  Frank  A.,  fought  for  the  Union  in  the  Tenth  and 
Twelfth  Maine  Regiments ;  the  former  serving  for  three  years,  and  losing  an  eye  at  the 
battle  of  Cedar  Mountain. 

He  worked  in  the  powder  mill  at  New  Durham,  before  enlistment,  and  at  shoemaking 
and  in  box-mill  most  of  the  time  after  discharge.  Quiet  and  unpretentious,  he  was 
the  last  to  proclaim  any  of  the  real  prowess  that  he,  by  nature,  possessed.  He  was  always 
patient  in  well  doing,  and  seemed  only  ambitious  to  do  his  whole  duty,  and  content  with 
nothing  less. 

Place  the  flag,  indeed,  each  year  upon  his  grave,  for  of  such  men  were  they  who 
resecured  and  extended  its  privilege  to  proudly  wave  — 

"  O'er  the  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  hrave." 


CHARLES  H.  CANNEY. 

Here  he  is  with  the  musician's  stripes  upon  his  coat,  and  with  his  fife  to  his  lips,  just 
as  he  looked  when  marching  in  front  of  the  line  at  "dress  parade." 

Son  of  William  and  Paulina  (  Edgerly)  Canney ;  born  at  Tuftonborough,  May  13, 1837, 
and  died  at  Farmington,  May  2,  1892,  and  buried  at  Ayer,  Mass.,  where  he  formerly  lived. 
Married,  in  1856,  to  Julia  Ann  Boynton  (deceased),  and  had  by  her  four  children,  Oeorge  W., 
Grin  W.  (died  in  infancy),  Harry  E.,  and  Cora  P.  Married  again,  in  1881,  to  Jane 
W.  Nixon. 

At  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Cold  Harbor,  Siege  of  Petersburg, 
and  Cemetery  Hill.  He  was  leading  a  packed  mule  of  the  supply  train  that  was  overrun 
by  the  Eleventh  Corps,  when  Jackson  made  his  famous  attack  at  Chancellorsville,  and  was 
there  captured.  In  Libby  and  Belle  Isle  about  three  months,  and  then  paroled  and  sent  to 
Annapolis,  Md.,  where  he  was  sick  some  time,  and  his  wife  went  down  and  took  care  of 
him.  The  state  records  (see  roster)  do  not  do  him  full  justice,  as  it  does  not  give  reason 
for  being  "missing"  at  Chancellorsville. 


CORP.  LEROY  A.  CLOUGH. 

Among  the  few  from  the  regiment  who  unfortunately  fell  victims  of  exposure  and 
starvation  in  Southern  prisons  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch..  He  was  the  son  of  Daniel  and 
Sally  H.  (Caverly)  dough,  and  was  born  in  Alton,  March  6,  1838. 

Married  about  two  years  before  enlisting  to  Emily  Thurston,  of  Alton  ;  no  children. 

In  most  of  the  regular  battles  of  the  regiment,  except  perhaps  Gettysburg,  when  he 
was  disabled  from  duty  on  account  of  being  wounded  in  the  wrist  at  Chancellorsville,  where 
he  fought  on  the  color  guard.  After  capture  (see  roster)  he  was  sent  first  to  Libby  Prison, 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


487 


B.    15.    L.   5- 
LIEUT.    MAIIEW    C.    BATCHELDER. 


D.   D.    D.   5-7 
CHARLES    II.    CANNEY. 


DB.    1)1?.    D.   5-9. 
COUP.   LEIK)Y    A.   CLOUGH. 


G.   BK.   D.   5-1  I. 
THOMAS    N.   DAVIS. 


History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

and  from  there  to  Salisbury,  X.  C.,  where  he  died  of  typhoid  fever.  His  testament  and 
pocket-book  were  brought  home  by  Ira  L.  Stockbridge,  of  the  First  New  England  Cavalry, 
who  was  a  prisoner  with  him  when  he  died,  but  his  body  was  never  sent  home. 

J.  B.  Iliggins.  of  his  company,  afterwards  chaplain,  in  a  letter  of  condolence  to  his 
parents,  says  :  "  He  won  the  respect  of  all  who  knew  him  by  his  Christian  integrity  and 
upright  character.  He  enlisted  as  a  soldier  of  the  cross  in  1859,  and  joined  the  Freewill 
Baptist  Church  at  Gilmanton  Iron  Works  in  August,  1862,  about  the  time  of  his  enlist 
ment  into  the  army  of  the  Union.  His  record  is  bright,  and  he  died  a  martyr  to  freedom. 
His  comrades  speak  of  him  in  the  highest  terms  as  equaled  by  few  among  the  best." 


THOMAS  N.  DAVIS. 

Son  of  Noah  and  Sarah  (  Noble)  Davis ;  born  in  Lee,  September  25,  1812. 

Brother,  Arthur  W.,  in  New  Hampshire  Heavy  Artillery;  father  in  War  of  1812;  and 
grandfather,  Thomas  Noble,  enlisted  under  Stark  in  the  Revolution,  and  died  on  the 
march  to  Bennington.  In  Fredericksburg  and  at  Chancellorsville ;  was  wounded  in  right 
temple  by  musket  ball,  and  in  right  shoulder  by  shell.  Rejoined  regiment  at  Point  Lookout, 
but  sent  to  hospital  at  Williamsburg,  Va.,  and  never  was  with  regiment  afterward.  Con 
sidering  his  age  when  he  enlisted,  and  his  patriotic  lineage,  he  left  a  name  and  record  in 
history  worthy  of  preservation. 


CORP.  GEORGE   F.  DAVIS. 

Son  of  Thomas  N.  Davis  (see  sketch)  and  Elizabeth  Canney  (Seawood). 

In  most  of  the  battles  of  the  regiment,  as  believed,  except  Chancellorsville  and  Cold 
Harbor,  he  being  on  picket  when  the  regiment  charged  the  rebel  works  in  the  last  named 
battle. 

Married  Mary  J.  Alexander,  October  14,  1879.     Children,  Melissa  F.  and  Mary  E. 

Farmer  and  shoemaker  before  enlistment,  and  now  a  farmer  in  the  new  state  of  Wash 
ington.  Post-office  address,  Ellensburg,  Wash. 

He  was  one  of  the  "  best  shots  "  in  his  company,  and  was  detailed  for  some  time  as  a 
sharpshooter.  He  was  also  an  excellent  forager,  and  never  would  go  hungry  "for  con 
science  sake  "  when  in  the  enemv's  country. 


SERGT.  JULIUS   A.  DAVIS. 

Son  of  Daniel  E.  and  Sally  P.  (Place)  Davis,  and  grandson  of  Asa  Davis  and  Jacob 
Place,  both  in  the  War  of  1812,  the  latter  in  the  battle  of  Lundy's  Lane.  Born  in  Alton, 
August  30,  1835.  Removed  to  Pittsfield  a  few  years  after  the  war,  where  he  now  resides. 
By  occupation  a  farmer.  Married  Lydia  Jane  Sleeper,  sister  of  Eben  G.,  of  the  same  com 
pany,  of  Alton,  July  7,  1856,  and  Allen  M.  is  their  only  child.  In  all  the  battles  of  the 
regiment,  except  Cold  Harbor,  Cemetery  Hill,  and  part  of  Siege  of  Petersburg. 

The  fact  that  he  faced  the  enemy  in  so  many  battles  shows  that  he  was  no  "conee- 
cooler,"  nor  troubled  much  with  ''shell-sickness."  lie  had  an  eye  open  for  the  apprehen 
sion  of  deserters,  and  was  chiefly  instrumental  in  bringing  Joseph  Sharp,  of  his  own 
company,  to  justice.* 

ORLANDO    F.  DAVIS. 

The  picture  of  this  soldier  was  taken  in  the  winter  of  1864,  when  stationed  in  the 
provost  marshal's  office,  Albany,  N.  Y.  (For  family  record  see  sketch  of  his  brother, 
Julius  A.)  Like  so  many  others,  his  service  in  the  regiment  ended  at  Chancellorsville, 
where  he  was  wounded  in  head  by  musket  ball  and  left  for  dead  upon  the  field.  Promoted 
to  sergeant  when  in  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,f  and  had  command  of  a  company  at  Wash 
ington  at  the  time  of  Early's  raid.  He  was  there,  also,  when  Lincoln  was  assassinated,  and 
had  charge,  part  of  the  time,  of  the  guard  over  the  conspirators  at  the  old  arsenal  prison. 

*  See  page  261,  et  seq.          t  See  incident,  page  454. 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


489 


B,    B.    D.    =5-7. 
CORP.    GEORGK    F.    DAVIS. 


B.    B.   I..   5-10. 
SERGT.  JULH'S    A.    DAVIS. 


B.    B.   L.   5-7. 
ORLANDO    F.    DAVIS. 


B.    D.    D.    ^-IO.V 
DAVID    ELLIS. 


490  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Married  January  13,  1857,  to  Lorinda  F.,  daughter  of  Elisha  Sleeper,  of  Alton,  and  sister 
of  Eben  G.  (see  .sketch).  Married  again  January  22,  1870,  to  Harriet  M.  Buxton,  sister 
of  George  W.  Dearborn  (see  sketch).  Children,  both  by  first  wife,  Oscar  E.  and  Egbert  W. 

Farmer  before  and  after  the  war  until  obliged  to  work  indoors  on  account  of  his 
wound;  since  which  has  worked  at  different  trades  and  places,  being  for  fourteen  years 
shipping  clerk  for  a  wholesale  firm  at  Boston,  Mass. 

"  A  good  man  and  soldier,"  says  one  of  his  comrades  of  him,  and  if  this  were  not  true 
he  would  not  now  be,  as  he  is,  president  of  the  regimental  association. 


DAVID   ELLIS. 

This  stout  and  sterling  member  of  Company  A  was  born,  lived  (except  when  in  the 
army),  and  died  close  under  the  shadow  of  Mount  Belknap,  in  the  town  of  Alton,  lie  was 
not  ambitious  to  climb  the  heights  of  fame,  but  never  flinched  from  duty. 

In  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  and  so  severely  wounded  by  musket  ball  in 
left  elbow  in  last  named  battle  that  his  arm  was  amputated  a  month  later  at  Mt.  Pleasant 
Hospital,  Washington,  at  which  place  he  was  discharged.  He  had  two  brothers  in  the 
Union  army,  John  S.  and  Jonathan.  His  grandfather,  Jacob  Ellis,  was  in  War  of  1812. 

Married  in  1815  to  Mary  Jane  Ellis,  of  Alton. 

His  standing  as  a  soldier  was  firm  and  unwavering,  and  his  record,  though  brief,  was 
good,  and  such  as  make  it  much  regretted  that  more  is  not  known  of  his  family  relation 
ship,  especially  of  his  children. 


CHARLES   E.  F1FIELD. 

Son  of  Charles  X.  and  Betsey  II.  (Nutter)  Fifield,  and  was  born  in  Dover,  December  6, 
1812.  Married  September  29,  1867,  to  Clara  J.,  daughter  of  Isaac  L.  Stockbridge,  of 
Alton,  where  they  now  reside,  near  the  Alton  Bay  shore  of  our  beautiful,  mountain-hemmed 
lake. 

Though  fortunate  enough  to  escape,  except  on  the  "  mud  inarch,"  service  in  the  ranks, 
yet  he  was  present  for  duty  most  of  the  time  until  the  end.  He  was  for  some  time  on 
detached  service  in  brigade  quartermaster's  department,  and  acted  for  a  while  as  forage 
master. 

His  grandfather  was  in  War  of  1812,  and  his  great-grandfather,  Benjamin  Webster, 
in  the  Revolution. 

By  occupation  a  shoemaker,  and  a  well  known  and  respected  member  of  M.  H.  Savage 
Post,  Xo.  49,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  of  which  he  is  a  Past  Commander. 


JOHX   H.  FIFIELD, 

A  younger  brother  of  the  last  and  a  native  of  the  same  town,  was,  like  him,  lucky  enough 
to  escape  the  harder  part  of  a  soldier's  life,  acting  most  of  the  time  as  waiter  or  orderly 
for  Major  Savage  and  supernumerary  assistant  when  or  wherever  needed,  being  in  this 
way  almost  as  necessary  to  the  service  as  if  he  carried  a  gun  in  the  ranks.  Being  young, 
bright,  and  jovial,  and  good  hearted  with  all,  no  one  seemed  to  envy  him  his  easy  lot,  and 
no  one  thought  of  finding  fault  with  "Johnny  Fifield."  But  the  reader  must  not  think 
from  what  is  written  that  he  never  smelt  gunpowder  or  heard  the  sound  of  shot  or  shell. 
At  Chancellorsville  he  had  a  narrow  escape  from  rebel  hands,  and  was  exposed  to  their  fire 
in  other  battles. 

Since  the  war  he  has  been  interested  in  the  turf,  owning  several  fast  horses,  one  of 
which,  named  "  Screw  Driver,"  has  won  him  a  good  deal  of  money. 

Married  soon  after  the  war  to  Clara  J.,  daughter  of  Joel  Young,  and  their  children  are 
George  H.  and  Charles  L.  He  has  for  several  years  been  the  proprietor  of  the  "  Fifield 
House,"  and  is  one  of  Alton's  most  enterprising  citizens. 


Jfciu  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


491 


B.   I..    L.   5-6. 
CHARLES    E.   FIFIELD. 


B.   L.   L.   5-5. 
JOIIX    II.   FIFIELD. 


15.    I).    I).   5-IO. 
SEKGT.   FRANK    F.   FROIIOCK. 


o.  i).  L.  5-8. 

CHAKI.KS    M.   OILMAN. 


492  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

SERGT.  FRANK   F.  FROHOCK. 

This  soldier  was  born  in  Gilford,  April  2,  1826,  and  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Point 
Lookout,  Md.,  October  9,  1863,  while  enlisted  in  the  service  of  his  country.  He  was  in  the 
battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg,  and  was  wounded  slightly  in 
arm  at  Chancellorsville  and  severely  at  Gettysburg. 

He  was  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Esther  (Leavitt)  Frohock,  and  his  grandfather,  Thomas 
Frohock,  was  in  the  Revolution,  and  helped  throw  up  and  defend  the  redoubt  on  Bunker's 
Hill. 

He  was  a  good  soldier,  and  instead  of  being  buried  in  an  unknown  grave,  like  so  many 
killed  on  the  field,  his  ashes  mingle  with  the  soil  of  his  native  town. 


CHARLES   M.  OILMAN. 

This  soldier,  the  youngest  of  the  seven  children  of  Moses  and  Abigail  (Hurd)  Gilman, 
was  born  in  Alton,  and  was  nineteen  years  old  when  he  enlisted.  His  father  was  a  promi 
nent  man  in  Alton  for  many  years,  and  his  great-grandfather,  Moses  Gilman,  served  for 
some  time  in  the  Revolution. 

He  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  by  a  bullet  through  the  head  while  the 
regiment  was  lying  in  line  of  support  before  advancing  into  the  woods.* 

His  paternal  ancestors  came  from  England  and  settled  in  Exeter,  and  their  names 
prominently  appear  in  the  early  history  of  that  town.  Though  he  enlisted  and  died  a 
private,  he  is  spoken  of  by  his  comrades  as  calm  and  capable,  and  but  for  his  untimely 
death  would  have  probably  arose  to  the  rank  of  command  before  the  end  of  the  war. 


GEORGE   W.  HAM. 

One  of  the  eleven  children  of  Samuel  and  Jane  (Jenness)  Ham,  who  was  born  in 
Alton,  September  8,  1843,  and  died  of  black  measles  December  13,  1862.  while  his  regiment 
was  under  fire  at  Fredericksburg.  Charles  H.  Pickering,  of  Company  B,  died  the  same 
day,  and  was  buried  in  the  same  grave  at  Falmouth,  Va. 

This  soldier  was  of  Scotch  descent,  his  great-grandfather,  John,  who  is  believed  to 
have  been  in.  the  Revolution,  being  one  of  three  brothers  who  came  to  this  country  and 
settled  in  Portsmouth.  His  grandfather,  Thomas,  was  in  the  War  of  1812.  His  brothers, 
Moses  and  William  P.,  served  in  the  Eighth  and  Fifth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers 
respectively. 


CHAPLAIN  JOSIAH   B.  IIIGG1NS. 

This  true  hearted  soldier  of  the  regiment  first  joined  the  ranks  of  the  living  at  Liver- 
more,  Me.,  January  19,  1830,  and  was  discharged  by  death  at  Canterbury,  May  16,  1878. 
He  was  married  May  1,  1852,  to  Eliza  M.  Cobb,  and  had  two  children,  Josiah  B.,  Jr.,  and 
Phebe  E.,  who  died  young.  His  wife  survived  him  a  few  years,  dying  in  1895,  and  leaving 
only  one  survivor  of  the  family.  He  had  one  brother,  Franklin  M.,  in  the  army,  who  served 
in  Company  B,  Fifth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  and  was  mortally  wounded  at  Freder 
icksburg,  Va. 

The  following  sketch  was  sent  to  the  author  by  his  son  : 

Chaplain  Higgins  was  converted  in  1850,  and  baptised  the  next  year  at  Biddeford,  Me., 
by  Rev.  J.  L.  Sinclair.  He  became  deeply  interested  in  Christianity  and  the  Sabbath 
school  work  at  Bartlett.  He  was  ordained  in  February,  1865,  at  Alton,  by  a  special  council 
called  for  that  purpose,  and  was  soon  after  appointed  chaplain  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment,  in 
place  of  the  lamented  Ambrose. 

*  See  page  79. 


fezv  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


493 


G.   D.    D.    =5-5. 
GEORGE    W.   HAM. 


II.    D.    I..   5-8. 
CHAP.  JOSIAII    B.   HIGGINS. 


G.   L.   L.   5-7. 
JAMES    M.  JONES. 


494  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

After  the  war  he  preached  at  Barnstead  and  Wolfeborough,  ar.d  moved  to  Canterbury 
in  1867  and  became  the  minister  of  the  Free  Baptist  Church  there  for  three  years.  The 
rest  of  his  ministerial  labors  were  at  Canterbury  Centre,  and  preaching  to  the  scattered 
brethren  at  Xorthfield  at  the  same  time.  He  spent  much  of  his  later  life  with  feeble  and 
destitute  churches,  getting  nor  asking  but  a  small  salary,  and  ofttimes  without  any  at  all. 

As  a  man  he  was  cool  and  deliberate,  persistent  in  what  he  thought  was  right,  and 
useful,  industrious,  and  prudent  in  all  his  efforts  and  habits.  He  maintained  himself  and 
family  chiefly  by  manual  labor.  He  was  a  kind  husband,  indulgent  father,  and  was 
patriotic  and  highly  esteemed  by  his  fellow  citizens.  As  a  Christian  he  was  sincere  and 
devout.  He  cherished  personal  piety  and  practiced  personal  effort  in  his  Christian  work. 
His  emotional  manifestations  were  of  a  subdued,  tearful  character  rather  than  noisy  and 
ephemeral.  Like  Thomas,  he  wanted  the  proof ;  then  he  would  say,  "  My  Lord  and  my 
God."  As  a  minister  he  excelled  in  finding  fields  of  destitution  and  want,  where  he 
bestowed  the  best  efforts  of  his  life.  He  was  a  reliable  minister ;  his  preaching  was  expos 
itory,  thorough,  spiritual,  and  was  not  in  vain. 

Extracts  from  his  diary  while  in  the  war  are  now  being  printed  by  his  son  in  the 
Laconia  Democrat. 


JAMES   M.  JONES. 

Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Rollins)  Jones,  who  lived  and  died  in  Alton,  raised  a  family 
of  eight  children,  and  three  of  the  six  boys  served  in  the  Union  army.  Two  of  these  were 
members  of  the  Twelfth,  while  the  other,  Samuel  E.,  enlisted  in  the  Eighteenth  New 
Hampshire  Regiment. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  the  oldest  of  the  family,  was  born  in  Alton,  January  18, 
1836  ;  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  but  had  worked  several  years  before  enlisting  at  shoeinak- 
ing.  He  safely  faced  the  shells  of  Fredericksburg,  but  was  killed  by  one  on  the  battle-line 
at  Chancellorsville.  He  lived  and  remained  standing  long  enough  after  he  was  hit  to  take 
from  his  pocket  his  wallet  and  testament,  but  fell  dead  with  them  in  his  extended  hand 
while  in  the  act  of  giving  them  to  Sergeant  Sleeper,  who  stood  near  by. 

He  married  Maria  S.  Perkins,  of  Alton,  March  25, 1855,  and  their  children  are  Simeon, 
Charles  H.  W.,  Mary  L.,  and  James  M. ;  a  twin  sister  of  James,  born  while  their  father 
was  in  the  army,  died  soon  after.  He  told  some  of  his  comrades  that  he  knew  he  should 
be  killed  in  that  battle,  and  when  a  bullet  struck  between  him  and  O.  F.  Davis,  next  to 
him,  eluded  him  for  speaking  lightly  of  it  when  lying,  as  it  seemed  to  him,  already  in  the 
shadow  of  death. 


CHARLES  H.  JONES, 

Brother  of  the  foregoing,  and  still  among  the  living,  is  he  whose  picture  appears  here. 

Born  in  Alton,  June  6,  1840,  and  was  the  third  child.  Married  to  Ann  E.,  daughter  of 
Ezekiel  Flanders,  of  Alton,  May  20,  1860;  children,  Charles  A.  (deceased)  and  Ida  M. 
Married,  second  time,  to  Julia  A.,  daughter  of  Dudley  Lougee,  of  Gilmanton,  and  all  his 
children  by  this  wife,  viz.,  Lizzie  A.,  Delia  M.,  George  H.,  Flora  B.,  Fannie  E.,  Maud  N., 
and  Mabie,  are  still  living,  except  George  H.,  who  was  killed  on  the  railroad  July  30,  1890. 

He,  like  many  others  in  the  regiment,  was  taken  sick  on  the  inarch  to  Falmouth,  Va., 
and  discharged  for  disability  soon  after  reaching  there.  He  is  a  shoemaker  by  trade 
and  a  good  neighbor  and  citizen.  The  picture  from  which  the  engraving  was  made  was 
taken  a  year  or  two  after  the  war. 


T6'  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


495 


G.    B.    D.   5-6. 
CHARLKS    II.  JONES. 


.mm 

G.    L.    L.   5-9. 
ALBERT    D.  JOXES. 


B.   D.   L.   6-O. 
CHRISTOPHER    C.  JOY. 


B.    B.    L.   5-8. 
SERGT.   THOMAS    E.   LAWLER. 


496  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

ALBERT   U.  JOXES. 

This  soldier,  a  cousin  to  the  last  two,  was  the  sou  of  Xathaniel  W.  and  Mary  (Watson) 
Jones,  and  was  born  in  Alton,  May  10,  1841. 

One  of  his  three  brothers,  George  W.,  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Fourth  New  Hampshire 
Volunteers,  and  died  of  small  pox  on  Morris  Island,  S.  C. 

Went  through  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville  safely,  but  breathed 
his  last  about  midnight  on  the  field  of  Gettysburg.  Darius  Garland  claims  that  he  was 
wounded  in  side,  laying  open  his  bowels,  and  that  he  helped  him  back  a  piece  but  was 
obliged  to  leave  him.  But  Sergeant  Lawler,  who  had  a  better  chance  of  knowing,*  writes: 

"  I  found  Dana  Jones  on  the  field  (referring  to  his  moonlight  search  over  the  same). 
He  was  shot,  as  near  as  I  can  remember,  with  a  rifle  ball  in  the  left  breast.  He  knew 
he  was  to  die.  He  knew  me,  and  was  more  than  glad  to  see  me.  He  did  not  seem  to 
have  much  pain.  He  prayed,  and  seemed  reconciled  to  die.  He  said  nothing  about  his 
family  or  friends,  and  I  said  nothing  to  him  about  them.  He  died  about  12  o'clock,  as 
quietly  as  if  falling  asleep." 

He  was  one  of  the  brave  and  stalwart  members  of  Company  A,  and  the  evidence  of  one 
of  his  officers  is,  that  '•  he  was  a  most  excellent  soldier."  He  belongs  to  the  roll  of  honor. 


CHRISTOPHER   C.  JOY. 

Born  in  New  Durham,  September  2,  1830.  Son  of  Samuel  and  Watey  (Pettigrew)  Joy 
Wounded  at  Gettysburg  by  ball  in  chest,  and  lived  until  2  o'clock  the  next  morning.f 
"  When  it  was  daylight,"  says  Sergeant  Lawler,  "  I  took  his  watch  and  afterward  sent  it 
to  his  wife  by  John  Colorny.  He  seemed  to  be  suffering  much  from  pain  when  I  found 
him.  I  got  him  some  water,  placed  him  on  a  blanket,  and  did  what  I  could  to  help  and 
comfort  him.  He  died  at  last,  like  Jones,  who  lay  dead  near  by,  so  easily  that  I  thought 
lie  was  going  to  sleep." 

He  belonged  to  a  family  that  are  direct  descendants  from  one  of  English  distinction 
and  entitled,  as  it  is  said,  to  a  "coat  of  arms."  Married  Maria  A.  Trask,  of  Brookfield, 
December  27,  1860,  but  left  no  children.  His  brother,  Rev.  Joseph  F.  Joy,  now  living  in 
Farmington,  was  a  member  of  the  United  States  Sanitary  Commission  during  the  war. 

In  battles,  as  believed,  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville.  Lieutenant  Batchelder 
said  of  him  :  "  A  good  man  and  soldier,  and  his  fall  was  lamented  by  all  the  company  that 
survived  him." 


SERGT.  THOMAS  E.  LAWLER. 

The  pen  moves  gladly  to  record  the  merits  of  this  brave  soldier,  who  was  born  in 
Queens  county,  Ireland,  April  26.  1842,  and  was  the  fourth  child  of  Joseph  and  Charlotte 
Lawler,  who  had  two  sons  and  three  daughters.  He  came,  to  this  country  in  May,  1861. 
A  year  and  three  months  later,  prompted  by  that  love  of  freedom  which  pervades  the  heart 
of  every  true  blooded  Irishman,  he  had  enlisted  in  the  Eleventh  Regiment;  but  not  being 
accepted  because  he  was  not  a  citizen  until  too  late  to  go  in  that  regiment,  "  I  knocked  at 
the  Twelfth,"  to  use  his  own  words,  "and  was  taken  in  by  Captain  Savage,  of  Company  A." 

From  that  time  to  the  end  of  the  war  there  was  no  better  soldier  or  more  desirable 
tent-mate  in  his  company,  or  any  other,  than  he. 

"In  all  the  battles  and  skirmishes  of  the  regiment,"  he  writes,  "but  never  in  ambulance 
or  hospital  and  never  excused  from  duty,  but  I  lost  forty  pounds  of  flesh  on  the  Gettysburg 
march  from  Falrnouth  to  Point  Lookout."  And  what  makes  his  words  more  remarkable 
is  the  fact  that  he  was  wounded  three  or  four  times,  and  once  or  twice  severe  enough  to 
have  passed  him  to  the  rear  and  into  the  hospital,  if  inclined  like  some  to  go  in  that 
direction. 

*  See  page  416  and  the  following  sketch.          t  See  page  416. 


Hampshire  Volunteers.  497 

A  long  and  interesting  account  of  his  experience  on  the  battle-fields  of  the  regiment 
we  are  obliged  to  condense  as  follows  :  At  Chancellorsville  his  clothes  and  blanket  were 
bullet-holed  in  many  places,  and  he  had  a  close  encounter  with,  and  a  narrow  escape  from, 
the  enemy  ;  a  thrilling  experience  in  and  after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  ;  at  Drury's  Bluff 
wounded  bv  shell ;  wounded  by  musket  ball  and  blanket-roll  shot  off  at  Cold  Harbor,  and 
wounded  again  by  musket  ball  in  front  of  Petersburg. 

To  the  honor  of  the  vocation  be  it  known  that  this  hero  of  the  battle-field  is  by  trade 
a  brick  maker. 

Married  October  3,  1870,  to  Matilda  A.  Ferguson,  of  New  York  city.  Children,  Edwin 
,L.  Charlotte  M.,  and  John  J.,  the  oldest  only  living.  His  two  sisters  came  to  this  country 
and  became  the  wives  of  John  A.  Lewis,  of  Suncook,  and  William  Giles,  of  Concord. 

••  When  I  enlisted,"  he  says,  "  no  one  knew  me,  and  I  knew  no  one  in  the  regiment " ; 
but  when  he  was  mustered  out,  few,  if  any,  of  the  survivors  were  better  known  or  more 
highly  respected. 

Speaking  of  Gettysburg,  he  says :  "  The  night  of  July  2,  after  the  battle,  I  spent  on 
the  field,  doing  what  I  could  for  the  wounded  and  dying."*  *»»»««  The  very 
thought  of  that  night  thrills  me  now.  What  historian  can  tell  the  tale  of  what  I  saw  and 
heard  on  that  field  of  agony  and  death,  that  bright  moonlight  night,  to  make  it  touch  such 
a  tender  chord  ?  "  And  thus  we  learn  it  true,  that  "  the  tender  heart  is  often  the  bravest." 

He  was  ahvays  pleasant  and  cheerful,  and  no  clash  of  battle  could  blanch  his  cheek 
or  even  drive  the  smile  from  his  countenance.  However  others  might  change  or  betray, 
he  was  always  the  same  brave,  faithful,  and  noble  hearted  soldier  and  friend. 

See  anecdotes  of  him  on  pages  404  and  450,  the  former  being  erroneously  credited,  as 
will  be  seen,  to  Davidson,  of  Company  G. 


MOSES   J.  Lt'CAS. 

This  soldier,  the  oldest  of  three  children  and  the  only  son  of  Benjamin  F.  and  Mary 
W.  (Willey)  Lucas,  was  born  in  New  Durham,  February  21,  1841,  and  died  of  chronic 
diarrh(ea  at  his  father's  home  in  Alton  while  on  a  sick  furlough,  November  2,  1863.  He 
was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  but  occupied  his  spare  moments  in  the  improvement  of  his 
mind  ;  and  by  this  means,  being  an  excellent  scholar,  and  several  terms'  attendance  at  the 
high  school  at  Wolfeborough,  paying  his  own  tuition  and  board,  he  had  acquired  a  good 
education,  which,  founded  upon  his  good  habits  and  backed  by  his  perseverance,  would, 
had  he  lived,  won  for  him  an  honorable  position  among  his  fellow  men. 

He  was  of  Irish  descent,  and  his  great-grandfather,  William,  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  Wolfeborough. 

In  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  and  Wapping  Heights. 
Wounded  severely  in  knee  at  Chancellorsville.  Never  married.  Buried  in  Alton. 

"  A  bright  day-star  obscured  ere  it  reached  scarcely  beyond  the  morning  mists." 


SERGT.  GEORGE    P.  MILLER 

Came  into  this  world  at  Alton,  March  5,  1842,  as  the  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Mehitable 
(Gilmau)  Miller,  who  had  eight  children,  four  boys  and  four  girls.  He  became  the  hus 
band  of  Melissa  A.,  daughter  of  John  Lang,  of  Alton,  June  15,  1867.  No  children. 

Upon  the  organization  of  the  company  he  was  appointed  second  corporal  and  afterward 
promoted  (see  roster).  In  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Port  Walthall. 
Injured  by  shell  concussion  at  Chancellorsville. 

Mark  C.,  a  brother  of  this  soldier,  was  in  Company  E,  Eighth  New  Hampshire  Volun 
teers  and  died  in  the  service ;  and  another  brother,  John  M.,  in  Company  I  of  the  same 
regiment,  was  wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  and  died  soon  after  his  discharge  in  January,  1865. 

32  *  See  page  41C. 


498  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

He  is  still  a  resident  of  his  native  town,  where  he  is  a  respected  citizen. 

While  correcting  the  "proof"  of  this  soldier's  sketch,  the  author  is  reminded  by  letter 
from  him  of  the  following  incident :  When  the  regiment  was  inarching  through  Manches 
ter,  Va.,  on  its  way  home  in  June,  1865,  a  young  lady  of  that  place  presented  and  decorated 
with  her  own  hands  the  colors  with  a  beautiful  wreath  of  roses.  With  cheers  and  tears 
the  old  veterans  gladly  greeted  the  fair  donor,  and  then  sadly  bid  her  farewell  forever 
Her  name  was  Miss  Sarah  S.  Witworth,  and  should  not  be  soon  forgotten  in  history. 


SERGT.  HIRAM   MOONEY. 

This  soldier  was  made  first  sergeant  of  the  company  and  left  the  state  as  such  when 
the  regiment  went  to  the  front ;  but  he  was  soon  discharged  (see  roster)  because  of  dis 
ability  (lung  and  chronic  trouble),  and  saw  little  of  "savage  war." 

He  was  born  in  Alton,  August  30,  1817,  where  he  lived  and  worked  upon  a  farm  until 
after  his  discharge,  when  he  moved  to  Wilton,  Iowa,  and  ten  years  later  to  Parsons,  Kan., 
where  he  died  November  28,  1886.  During  most  of  his  time  in  the  West  he  was  a  hotel 
keeper. 

He  was  married  before  enlistment  to  Lucretia  B.,  daughter  of  William  Tredick,  of 
Farmington,  but  never  had  any  children.  His  widow  still  lives  to  cherish  his  memory. 
Her  address  is  14  Peirce  street,  Dover. 


CORP.  HORACE  B.  PERSON. 

Born  in  New  Chester  (now  Hill),  April  27,  1830.  Parents,  Willard  J.  and  Harriet 
(Avery).  His  grandfather,  John  Person,  was  an  old  Revolutionary  veteran,  who  lived  to 
relate  his  seven  years'  experience  in  the  continental  army.  He  was  one  of  a  party  of 
scouts  who,  taking  advantage  of  the  darkness,  surprised  and  captured  a  party  of  British  on 
that  memorable  nineteenth  of  May,  1780. 

Taken  sick  with  fever  at  Arlington  Heights,  Va.,  and  sent  to  Washington,  where, 
after  recovery,  he  was  head  nurse  in  hospital  for  nearly  two  years,  rejoining  the  regiment 
at  Bermuda  Front,  Va.,  in  October,  1864,  and  continuing  in  the  ranks  to  the  end  of  the  war. 

Married  to  Lovey  J.  Gray,  of  Alexandria,  July,  1852.  Children,  Loren  A.,  Hiram  W., 
Horace  L.,  Frank  X.,  Nettie  L.,  and  Edwin  L. 

Though  never  in  battle,  there  is  no  spot  or  blemish  in  his  record,  so  far  as  known. 


HENRY   W.  PERKINS. 

Sixty  years  ago  the  twentieth  day  of  June,  1890,  this  son  of  John  Perkins  was  born  in 
the  town  of  Alton,  where,  except  when  in  the  army,  he  has  ever  since  been  an  inhabitant. 
His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Sally  Libbey,  whose  father,  Benjamin,  was  a  soldier  of 
the  Revolution. 

October  7,  1855,  Adaline  Gilmore  accepted  his  hand  in  marriage,  and  has  borne  him 
two  sons,  Albert  E.  and  Herman  A. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  where  he  fought  in  the  ranks 
and  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  latter.  After  this  he  was  assistant  in  the  hospital  depart 
ment,  and  was  present,  assisting  Doctor  Fowler  and  others  in  caring  for  the  wounded,  at 
Gettysburg,  Cold  Harbor,  and  other  engagements.  He  says  he  remembers  well  that  there 
were  only  three  men  in  his  company  for  two  or  three  days  after  Chancellorsville  battle, 
viz.,  the  brave  and  faithful  Colomy,  Kingman,  killed  at  Gettysburg,  and  himself. 

Many  have  faced  more  and  greater  dangers  on  the  battle-field,  but  few  have  seen  more 
of  its  horrors  or  done  more  to  relieve  its  suffering  victims.  He  says :  "I  stood  Elder  Durgin 
on  his  feet  after  he  was  wounded  (see  sketch)  and  tried  to  help  him  along,  but  had  to  leave 
him."  *  *  *  *  "I  and  Freeman  Frohock  (see  sketch)  helped  carry  Captain  Savage 
off  the  field.  He  was  struck  by  a  minie  ball  over  the  left  eye." 

Since  the  above  was  written  the  subject  of  this  sketch  has  gone  to  join  his  comrades 
and  one  or  both  of  his  children  on  the  other  shore.  He  died  July  28,  1892.  He  was  a  good 
man  and  soldier. 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


499 


B.   B.   L.   5-8. 
MOSES    J.    LUCAS. 


Bk.   Bk.   I).    5-6. 
SERGT.   GEORGE    P.   MILLER. 


B.   D.   L.   5-9. 
SERGT.   HIRAM    MOOXEV 


H.   D.    D.   5-9. 
CORP.    HORACE    B.    PERSON. 


500  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

CORP.  JOHN   L.  PETTEXGILL. 

A  native  of  Franklin,  and  claims  a  residence  on  earth  since  May  28.  1835.  Son  of  John 
and  Mahaley  (Kimball)  Pettengill  and  the  brother  of  Amos,  of  Company  G,  Fifth  Regi 
ment,  and  of  Franklin  B.,  Company  E,  Ninth  Regiment. 

Married  to  Betsey  Wallingford,  of  Alton,  April  23,  1857  (deceased),  and  to  Deborah 
Ricker,  of  Alton,  October  27,  1861.  Children,  by  second  wife,  are  Annie  M.,  Fannie  B., 
Lilla  M.,  and  Johnnie  F. 

In  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville.  Wounded  in  arm  and  taken  prisoner  at 
Chancellorsville,  and  '•  boarded  at  '  Libby  Hotel '  in  Richmond,  Va. ;  while  there  they 
took  us  to  a  pleasure  trip  to  Belle  Isle,"  as  he  says  in  his  diary.  Rejoined  regiment  at 
Point  Lookout  in  December,  1863,  and  was  in  all  battles  after  that  except  Cold  Harbor, 
where  he  was  detailed,  on  the  morning  of  the  charge,  as  blacksmith  at  division  head 
quarters,  and  served  as  such  faithfully  until  end  of  war.  "  I  never  went  to  surgeon's  call 
and  never  lost  a  minute's  time  on  account  of  sickness."  Something  that  few  can  say,  and 
shows  he  was  not  one  of  the  "  shell-sick  "  kind. 


DANIEL   J.  PINKHAM. 

'Son  of  Clement  and  Eliza  G.  (Johnson)  Pinkham  and  born  in  Alton,  August  21,  1831. 
Killed  at  Cold  Harbor,  and  was  in  all  battles,  as  believed,  previous  to  this.  He  was 
wounded  in  the  left  arm  at  Gettysburg  by  musket  ball  going  in  at  the  elbow  and  coming 
out  at  the  wrist. 

Few  braver  or  better  soldiers  fell  in  that  terrible  battle.  Though  his  dust  mingles 
with  the  soil  of  the  South  where  he  fell,  he  died  for  the  wThole  country  and  will  long  be 
revered  as  one  of  her  honored  martyrs. 


BVT.  LIEUT.  CHARLES  A.  PLACE. 

This  fourth  child,  and  the  third  and  youngest  son  but  one,  of  Joseph  and  Lydia  (Hurd) 
Place,  was  born  in  Alton,  May  8,  1842.  An  older  brother,  Jonas  M.,  served  in  the  Forty- 
fifth  Massachusetts. 

Occupation  before  enlistment,  farming ;  since  discharge,  a  traveling  salesman  most  of 
the  time.  He  is  seen  here  as  he  looked  years  after  the  war. 

In  all  the  battles  of  the  regiment,  except  Fredericksburg  and  Gettysburg,  but  never 
wounded.  (See  error  in  roster.)  Taken  prisoner  at  Chancellorsville,  and  entered  Libby 
Prison  on  his  twenty-first  birthday.  Seventeen  days'  experience  there  and  at  Belle  Isle 
wras  sufficient  to  cause  him  to  take  narrow  chances  with  rebel  bullets  next  year  on  the 
Bermuda  picket  line,  rather  than  fall  again  into  rebel  hands.  He  was,  as  he  says,  the  only 
one  of  the  last  to  advance  in  that  battle  who  escaped  alive.* 

Of  Chancellorsville,  he  says  :  "  While  in  this  position  (lying  by  the  brook)  my  cousin, 
Charles  M.  Gilman  (see  sketch),  was  instantly  killed  by  my  side."  *  *  *  *  "I  fired 
nearly  sixty  rounds  of  cartridges  before  retreating,  and  my  gun  became  so  foul  that  I 
could  not  drive  a  charge  home,  so  I  forced  the  end  of  the  rammer  against  a  small  tree  close 
by.  As  we  fell  back  to  avoid  capture  by  one  line  of  the  enemy  we  found  ourselves  in  the 
rear  of  another,  and  could  do  nothing  else  but  surrender." 

Married  April  14,  I860,  to  Abbie  S.,  daughter  of  Eleasor  Gate,  of  Alton,  and  sister  of 
Charles  E.  Gate,  of  the  same  company,  and  their  children  are  Mamie  A.,  Charles  F.,  and 
Inez  L. 

This  brave  soldier's  motto  seems  to  be  :  "  Act  well  your  part,  there  all  the  honor  lies  "  ; 
and  when  life's  journey  with  him  shall  near  its  end  may  the  "  well  done  "  plaudit  be  his  to 
feel  if  not  to  hear. 

*  See  page  248  et  seq. 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


B.  L.  L.  5-7 . 

HEXRV    W.    PERKIXS. 


LB.   B.   L.   5-6. 
CORP.  JOHN    L.    PETTEXGILL 


B.   I..    L.   6-O. 
DANIEL   J.    PINKIIAM. 


D.   Bk.   D.   5-9. 
BVT.    LIEUT.    CHARLES    A.    PLACE. 


502  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

PERLEY   P.  PRESCOTT. 

A  native  of  Alton  and  was  born  September  21,  1840.  Son  of  Joseph  and  Harriet  N. 
(Place)  Prescott.  Both  his  grandfathers,  Samuel  Prescott  and  Jacob  Place,  were  in  the 
War  of  1812. 

Taken  sick  before  the  regiment  left  camp  at  Concord,  and  never  rejoined  it. 

Married  January  1,  1860,  to  Ann  Maria  Dudley,  of  Barn  stead,  and  Nettie  F.  is  their 
only  child.  Occupation,  shoemaker  and  farmer.  A  good  citizen. 


JOHN   F.  RANDALL. 

"  Killed  at  Chancellorsville,"  reads  the  official  record,  but  it  seems,  from  best  informa 
tion,  that  he  was  not  killed  instantly,  but  lived  for  several  hours. 

Lieutenant  Towle,  of  his  company,  says :  "  He  might  have  lived,"  meaning  that 
his  chances  to  live  were  seemingly  in  his  favor  until  the  surgeons  commenced  to  probe  and 
cut  for  the  "buck-shot,"  as  Towle  calls  it,  that  struck  him  in  the  leg,  ending  in  amputation 
and  death.  Name  of  father,  Peter  ;  of  mother,  Betsey  (Willey).  Born  September  6, 1843. 
His  brother,  Samuel  L.,  the  oldest  of  five  children,  served  in  the  Fifteenth  Regiment,  and 
his  grandfather,  Robert  Willey,  was  a  soldier  of  1812. 

He  was  buried  on  the  field,  and  his  body  was  never  recovered.  His  aged  mother  still 
lives  to  mourn  the  loss  of  a  brave  and  patriotic  son. 


ELISHA   E.  ROLLINS. 

Here  he  is  as  he  looked  enjoying  his  "  camp-fire  comfort "  in  the  war.    (See  A.  D.  Jones.) 
Son  of  Jeremiah  A.  Rollins,  of  Alton,  and  was  born  in  that  town,  February  18,  1838. 
He  was  married  to  Mary  A.  Chase,  and  had  by  her  two  children,  Carrie  and  Eri.     She  is 
now  the  wife  of  Frank  W.  Hicks,  of  South  Wolfeborough. 

He  was  severely  wounded  in  leg  at  Chancellorsville,  and  had  it  amputated  soon  after 
the  battle.  "Killed  by  the  doctors,"  is  the  short,  sad,  but  probably  truthful  story  of 
Lieutenant  Towle  about  this  brave  soldier,  and  there  is  too  much  of  truth  in  these  four 
words  as  said  of  many  who  "  died  of  wounds,"  as  reported,  but  ought  to  have  recovered 
and  lived  many  years  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  and  blessings  of  home.  He  was  always 
joyous  and  full  of  fun,  and  is  said  to  have  been  a  good  man  and  soldier. 


IRA   M.  ROLLINS. 

This  soldier,  who  went  out  as  drummer  of  the  company,  was  born  in  Alton,  August 
18,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  Stephen  and  Abigail  (Severance)  Rollins. 

Married  Frances  A.  Sampson,  November  11,  1848.  Children,  Stephen  E.,  Amaziah  C., 
Albert  N.,  Ichabod,  and  Ida  B. 

He  played  the  base  drum  from  the  time  it  was  given  the  drum  corps  at  Falmouth,  Va.,* 
till  the  close  of  the  war,  and  still  plays  the  same  drum  at  almost  every  annual  reunion. 
This  drum  was  stolen  from  its  keeper  in  the  war  and  afterwards  found  and  reclaimed  by 
the  drum  corps. 

A  shoemaker  before  enlistment  and  a  farmer  since  discharge. 


CAPT.  MOSES   H.  SAVAGE. 

This  long-lamented  officer  of  Company  A  was  born  in  New  Durham,  January  15,  1828, 
being  the  son  of  Capt.  Benjamin  and  Louis  (Davis)  Savage,  and  was  killed  (see  roster) 
May  3,  1863,  by  musket  ball  wound  over  left  eye. 

He  was  married  to  Betsy  T.,  daughter  of  James  Woodhouse,  May  1,  1855. 

Captain  Savage,  as  a  man,  had  few  equals  and  no  superiors.  Enlisting  solely  from  a 
clear  sense  of  duty  to  his  country  and  his  God,  leaving  a  home  so  pleasant  and  happy  that 
he  said  that  he  had  rather  face  the  cannon  than  bid  his  wife  and  child  good-by  for  the 

*  See  page  63. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


503 


G.   D.   D.   5-IO. 
PER  LEY    P.   PRESCOTT. 


G.    P.    I).   5—0. 
JOHN    F.    RANDALL 


D.   D.    D.   5-4. 
EI.ISHA    E.   ROLLINS. 


G.   D.    L.   5-7. 
IRA    M.    ROLLINS. 


504  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

front,  he  served  long  enough  to  win  among  his  comrades  what  he  had  long  held  as  a  citizen 
at  home  —  the  love  and  respect  of  all  that  knew  him  ;  and  sealing  his  patriotism  with  his 
life's  blood,  went  early  to  his  reward. 

Chaplain  Ambrose,  writing  to  his  widow  soon  after  his  death,  says  :  "  The  more  I 
became  acquainted  with  him  and  the  better  I  knew  him,  the  more  his  sterling  qualities  as 
a  man  appeared.  Kindness  beamed  always  from  his  countenance.  I  never  remember  of 
hearing  him  use  a  harsh  expression.  He  seemed  to  be  free  from  that  selfish,  ambitious 
spirit  so  often  manifested." 

The  farewell  injunction  to  his  wife  to  try,  should  he  never  return,  to  have  his  son, 
then  but  three  or  four  years  old,  well  educated,  has  been  bravely  and  nobly  obeyed,  though 
in  the  face  of  obstacles  that  would  have  disheartened  anyone  less  energetic  and  determined. 
But  under  a  sacred  obligation  of  love  and  duty  to  the  living  and  the  dead,  she  persevered, 
and  now  her  son,  Henry  W.  Savage,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  is  a  college  graduate  and  one  of  the 
most  promising  young  business  men  of  the  city.  May  he  ever  prove  himself  worthy  of 
his  name. 

"  His  life  was  gentle,  and  the  elements  so  mixed  in  him  that  Nature  might  stand  up 
and  say  to  all  the  world,  This  is  a  man  !  " 


SERGT.  JAMES   SLEEPER. 

This  soldier,  who  went  out  as  the  fourth  sergeant  of  his  company,  was  born  October 
13,  1820,  and  died  at  East  Concord,  where  he  resided,  January  20,  1895.  He  was  the  son 
of  Joseph  and  Susan  (Lougee)  Sleeper  and  the  grandson  of  Benjamin  Sleeper,  who  was 
in  the  Revolution.  He  was  a  brother  of  William  H.,  of  Company  B,  who  died  at 
Alexandria,  Va. 

He  was  in  Eredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville  and  wounded  in  last  battle  by  musket 
ball  through  upper  jaw,  and  never  with  the  regiment  afterwards. 

Married  Susan,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Lougee,  of  Alton,  September  18,  1851.  Children, 
Frank  E.,  Ella  A.,  Lizzie  C.,  and  Edmund  L. 

Though  nearly  exempt  by  law  when  he  enlisted,  yet  he  proved  one  of  the  best  of  sol 
diers  ;  and  when  obliged  to  accept  a  discharge  because  of  his  wound,  the  regiment  lost  a 
brave  soldier,  and  by  his  late  death  the  community  where  he  lived  has  lost  an  honest 
and  respected  citizen. 


EDWARD   S.  SMITH 

Was  born  in  Wentworth  in  1821  or  1822,  and  was  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Esther  Smith 
(maiden  name  unknown). 

Married  to  Lavina  Putney,  of  Wentworth,  many  years  before  enlistment,  by  whom  he 
had  ten  children,  viz.  :  Albert,  Esther  B.,  Granville  J.,  Helen  F.,  Electa  B.,  Charlotte, 
Charles  E.,  Carrie  L.,  Georgia,  India  A.,  one  unnamed  (died  in  infancy),  and  Josephine  B. 
Albert,  who  first  enlisted  in  the  First  Vermont  Infantry,  was  a  member  and  reenlisted 
veteran  of  the  Sixth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  and  was  severely  wounded  in  the  battle 
of  Antietam.  Charles  E.  enlisted  into  the  service,  but  was  not  mustered  on  account  of 
disability. 

This  soldier  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Falmouth,  Va.,  March  17,  1863.  His  grandfather, 
Joseph,  was  in  War  of  1812. 


CORP.  CHARLES   H.  STOCKBRIDGE. 

Time  and  place  of  birth,  February  22,  1843,  Alton.  Parents,  Abednego  and  Maria 
(Clough)  Stockbridge,  and  his  mother  was  an  aunt  of  Leroy  Clough  (see  sketch).  His 
father  lived  at  or  near  "  Stockbridge  Corner."  He  was  an  only  son,  who  had  two  sisters. 

From  all  that  can  be  learned  he  was  in  most  of  the  battles  of  the  regiment,  but  never 
severely  wounded.  He  is  remembered  as  a  good  fellow  and  soldier,  and  from  the  last 
heard  of  him  he  lived  in  Hayden,  Col. 


Hampshire  Volunteers, 


505 


B.   S.    L.    6-O. 
CAPT.   MOSES    H.    SAVAGE. 


B.    B.    I..   5-54. 
SERGT.  JAMES    SLEEPER, 


B.    D.    D.    =J-IO. 
EDWARD    S.   SMITH. 


B.    L.    L.   5-6. 
CORP.   CHARLES    H.   STOCKBR1UGE. 


506  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

ASA   T.  THOMPSON. 

Born  in  Gilmanton  in  the  year  1829. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  and  soon  after  taken  sick  and 
sent  to  hospital  and  discharged  (see  roster). 

Pie  was  at  one  time  in  the  meat  business  before  enlistment,  and  station  agent  for  a 
time  since  discharge  at  Alton  or  New  Durham.  But  little  is  known  of  his  history,  but  is 
believed  to  have  died  several  years  ago. 


LIEUT.    CHARLES   F.  TOWLE. 

This  brave  and  faithful  officer,  the  oldest  of  ten  children,  of  whom  six  were  boys,  was 
born  in  Wolfeborough,  January  6,  1827,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Ruth  L.  Towle. 
His  great-grandfather  was  in  several  battles  of  the  Revolution,  and  returning  uninjured, 
lost  a  hand  by  the  bursting  of  a  gun  he  was  firing  in  honor  of  the  occasion. 

In  every  engagement  of  the  regiment  except  Gettysburg,  when  he  was  sick  from  wound 
in  right  thigh  at  Chancellorsville.  Taken  prisoner  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  November  17, 
1864,  and  for  forty-two  days  of  the  three  months  he  was  in  Libby  Prison,  he  and  five  others 
were  confined  as  hostages. 

Married  August  27,  1870,  to  Emma  F.,  daughter  of  Jerome  B.  Witham,  of  New 
Durham.  Children,  George  L.,  Clara  M.,  and  Charles  F.,  Jr. 

Enlisted  and  acted  as  private  until  after  Fredericksburg,  and  this,  with  his  solid 
common  sense  and  good  will  for  all,  made  him  one  of  the  best  liked  and  most  reliable  of 
the  line  commanders. 

By  occupation  a  shoemaker  most  of  his  life  and  a  brave  and  true  soldier  from  1862  to 
the  end  of  the  war.  The  name  of  few  soldiers  should  be  more  revered  or  more  grate 
fully  remembered  than  his. 


CORP.  WILLIAM   P.  WTATSON. 

This  is  the  only  one  of  the  original  Twelfth  whose  place  and  date  of  birth  is  not 
known  and  of  whose  death  the  exact  day  and  place  equally  uncertain.  He  worked  for  sev 
eral  years  before  enlistment  for  Major  Savage  in  Alton,  where  he  enlisted,  and  from  best 
information  was  never  married.  But  little  more  than  this  is  known  of  his  history  save  as 
a  soldier.  He  was  a  constant  follower  of  the  flag  and  a  true  and  brave  fighter  beneath  its 
folds  from  Fredericksburg  to  Cold  Harbor,  after  which  there  is  no  well  authenticated 
record  of  him.  Two  or  three  different  stories  are  told  by  as  many  members,  all  claiming, 
and  for  good  reasons,  to  know  the  facts  concerning  his  last  appearance  and  condition. 
But  from  the  Revised  Records  of  the  state  and  other  information  from  comrades  there  is 
little  doubt  but  that  he  received  his  death  wound  at  Cold  Harbor  and  lived  but  a  short  time. 

John  Fifield  (see  sketch)  says  :  "  The  last  I  ever  saw  him  was  in  the  field  hospital  at 
Cold  Harbor,  shot  through  thi'ee  times.  I  think  I  was  the  last  one  who  knew  him  who  ever 
saw  him  alive." 


LIEUT.  JAMES   M.  YORK. 

Born  in  Lee  in  1818  and  died  in  Farmington,  where  he  had  long  resided.  He  was  a 
son  of  David  and  Betsey  (Langley)  York  and  grandson  of  Eliphalet  York,  of  the  WTar  of 
1812,  and  relative,  as  believed,  of  him  of  the  same  name  who  served  in  the  Revolution. 

Upon  the  organization  of  Company  A  he  was  chosen  first  lieutenant,  serving  as  such 
until  disabled  by  exposure  in  Fredericksburg  campaign.  Before  the  war  he  had  belonged 
to  the  "  Strafford  Guards,"  and  was  an  ensign  in  the  old  state  militia.  For  this  reason  he 
was  selected  by  Captain  Savage  to  drill  the  company,  and  it  received  its  first  lessons  at 
Concord  and  Falmouth,  Va.,  from  him. 

Married,  first,  to  Catherine  Dockham,  and  second,  to  Lucy  A.  Willey,  of  Durham, 
October  2,  1845,  by  whom  he  had  four  children,  Ella  F.,  Emma  F.,  Roger  S.,  and  Albert  Q., 
of  whom  the  two  last  are  living. 

One  worthy  of  the  "  Old  Twelfth,"  though  his  record  is  short. 


Hampshire  Volunteers. 


507 


B.   D.   L.   6-1. 
ASA    T.   THOMPSON. 


B.    L.    L.   5-8. 
LIEUT.   CHARLES    F.   TOWLE. 


B.   DB.   D.   5-8. 
CORP.   WILLIAM    P.   WATSON. 


G.   D.    D.    t^-IO. 
LIEUT.  JAMES    M.   YORK. 


508  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


COMPANY   B. 

This  is  said  to  be  the  first  company  to  arrive  in  camp  at  Concord, 
though  both  A  and  B  reached  there  and  were  mustered  into  the  govern 
ment  service  the  same  day,  August  i,  1862,  instead  of  September  5,  as 
stated  of  Company  A.*  The  company  was  raised  almost  entirely  in  the 
towns  of  Gilmanton  and  Barnstead,  only  five  or  six  living  in  other  towns. 
Nearly  one  half  the  company  enlisted  from  Gilmanton. 

The  meeting  for  the  election  of  officers  and  organization  of  the  com 
pany  was  held  at  Gilmanton  "Iron  Works"  (so  called)  a  few  days 
before  the  company  left  town  for  Concord,  when  Thomas  E.  Barker,  of 
Gilmanton,  was  unanimously  chosen  captain,  and  John  M.  Durgin  and 
Charles  E.  Marsh,  both  of  the  same  town,  were  elected  as  first  and 
second  lieutenants  ;  and  all  were  afterwards  commissioned  by  Governor 
Berry  to  fill  these  respective  positions,  which  they  did  until  the  shot  of 
the  enemy  disabled  them  at  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville. 

Horace  Edgerly  was  elected  as  first  or  orderly  sergeant.  The  other 
four  sergeants  were  elected  and  received  their  warrants  in  the  order  here 

O 

named:  Jonathan  Tasker,  Sylvester  J.  Gale,  Horace  B.  Carr,  and  Rufus 

E.  Gale.     The    corporals    were  John    L.    Piper,    William    T.    Knight, 
George  P.  Buswell,  Oliver  H.  P.  Young,  John  P.  Eaton,  Baron  F.   S. 
Burpee,  Joseph  E.  Dockham,  and  William  H.  Berry. 

George  W.  Aikins  and  James  E.  Randlett  were  mustered  in  as 
musicians,  though  the  latter  never  acted  as  such,  his  place  being  filled 
by  George  W.  Pitman. 

The  first  man  to  enlist  in  this  company  was  Sylvester  J.  Gale,  of 
Gilmanton.  This  was  at  a  town  meeting,  holden  at  the  "Corner"  (so 
called),  August  9,  1862,  to  see  if  the  town  would  pay  a  bounty  for  vol 
unteers,  or  stand  a  draft.  Patriotic  speeches  were  made  by  Thomas 
Cogswell,  Jonathan  T.  Coffin,  John  M.  Durgin,  and  others,  and  the 
town  voted  to  pay  each  volunteer  the  sum  of  two  hundred  dollars. 

George  E.  Place,  Ira  Flanders,  and  John  C.  Baker  enlisted  the  same 
day,  expecting  then  to  go  in  the  Eleventh  Regiment.  Two  days  later  a 
similar  meeting  was  holden  at  Barnstead  Centre,  at  which  a  bounty  of 
three  hundred  dollars  was  voted  for  volunteers,  enlisting  and  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  before  September  i,  1862. 

Melvin  J.  Jenkins,  Horace  Edgerly,  Henry  H.   Emerson,   Benjamin 

F.  Chesley,  and  David  Sackett  enlisted  at  the  same  meeting  as  the  first 
in  Company  B  to  enlist  for  the  regiment. 

Samuel  G.  Berry,  William  A.  Jenkins,  Thomas  J.  Proctor,  Hazen 
Wheeler,  Horace  N.  Colbath,  and  Joel  and  Abram  Clark  were  some  of 
the  prominent  citizens  that  were  present  at  the  meeting. 

*  See  page  485. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  509 

GEORGE   W.  AIKINS. 

This  high-minded  patriot  was  "  tall  and  straight  as  an  Indian,"  and  from  his  high 
cheek  bones,  straight,  black  hair,  and  dark  complexion,  one  would  be  led  to  think  that 
some  of  that  blood  flowed  in  his  veins.  At  any  rate  it  was  good  blood,  and  his  qualities  of 
head  and  heart  were  far  beyond  the  average.  He  was  the  son  of  Nathaniel  E.  and  Nancy 
(Foss)  Aikins,  and  was  born  in  Barnstead,  March  24,  1841. 

His  grandfather,  John  Aikins,  Jr.,  was  a  soldier  of  1812,  and  his  great-grandfather,  of 
the  same  name,  was  a  Revolutionary  pensioner.  He  was  at  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg 
and  Chancellorsville. 

A  day  or  two  before  he  died  he  said  to  his  father :  "  I  always  thought  it  was  my  duty 
to  go  and  help  put  down  this  rebellion,  and  I  went ;  and  it  is  all  right."  He  enlisted  to  go 
in  the  Eighth  Regiment,  but  being  under  age  he  yielded  to  his  father's  wishes  and  waited. 

He  was  naturally  sober-minded,  and  said  little  but  thought  much,  especially  upon 
moral  questions,  always  favoring  justice  and  humanity.* 


BVT.  COL.  THOMAS   E.  BARKER. 

This  brave  officer,  who  has  the  honor  of  commanding  the  regiment  longer  than  any 
other,  was  born  in  Canterbury,  March  13,  18:39.  His  father,  Gardner  T.,  was  a  soldier  of 
1812;  and  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Martha  W.  Huntoon,  was  a  lineal  descend- 
ent  of  soldiers  distinguished  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution.  They  had  five  children  of 
whom  Thomas  E.  is  the  youngest. 

First  enlisted  May  13,  1861,  in  Company  B,  Second  New  Hampshire  Volunteers.  His 
company  was  armed  with  Sharp's  rifles  and  was  known  as  "The  Goodwin  Rifles,"  and  was 
drilled  as  skirmishers  by  Capt.,  afterwards  Maj.  Gen.,  S.  G.  Griffin.  They  led  Heath's 
division  at  First  Bull  Run,  where  Barker  and  about  fifty  others  were  taken  prisoners.  He 
was  confined  in  Libby,  Old  Parish,  and  Salisbury  prisons  for  two,  five,  and  three  months, 
respectively.  After  his  exchange  he  enlisted  again  in  the  Twelfth  Regiment  and  was 
chosen  captain  of  Company  B,  that  he  had  mainly  recruited,  enlisting  over  eighty  men. 
He  was  with  the  regiment  all  the  time,  except  for  two  months  while  recovering  from 
wound  in  leg  at  Chancellorsville,  and  in  all  its  engagements  but  Gettysburg,  rejoining  and 
taking  command  of  it  there  on  the  morning  of  the  4th.  From  this  time,  except  at  Point 
Lookout,  until  the  end  the  regiment  was  most  of  the  time  under  his  command,  leading  it 
against  the  foe  in  every  battle,  except  at  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg. 

lie  was  married  June  18,  1863,  while  at  home  on  furlough  recovering  from  his  wound, 
to  E.  Florence  Whittredge,  of  Lynnfield,  Mass.  Their  children  are,  William  E.,  Florence  M., 
and  Blanche  M.  His  wife  was  the  first  National  President  of  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps, 
and  has  always  been  an  active  worker  therein.  Her  brother,  Myron,  was  in  Fiftieth 
Massachusetts. 

Since  the  war  he  has  been  engaged  most  of  the  time  in  the  wholesale  grocery  business 
in  Boston,  Mass.,  being  for  many  years  connected  with  the  firm  of  Wradley,  Jones  &  Co.,  and 
their  successors,  he  being  one  of  them  under  the  firm  name  of  Andrews,  Barker  &  Bunton. 

Among  the  many  positions  of  honor  and  trust  that  he  has  held  since  the  war  are  the 
following :  Representative  of  the  city  of  Maiden,  Mass.,  for  two  years,  being  member  and 
chairman  of  several  important  committees  ;  trustee  and  treasurer  of  Soldiers'  Home  for 
the  State,  holding  the  latter  office  still ;  a  member  of  the  Boston  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
and  of  several  orders,  clubs,  and  lodges,  among  which  is  that  of  the  Loyal  Legion. 

Starting  as  he  did  as  a  poor  farmer's  boy,  with  only  a  common  school  education  to  assist 
him.  he  has  made  for  himself  a  record  that  he  can  review  with  self-congratulation,  and  of 
which  his  children  and  posterity  will  read  about  and  listen  to  with  commingled  feeling 
of  pleasure  and  pride. 

He  commanded  a  brigade  a  while  in  the  fall  of  '04,  and  one  of  the  regiments  under  his 
command  was  the  Second  New  Hampshire,  in  whose  ranks  he  had  once  marched  as  cor 
poral.  While  at  Old  Parish  prison,  New  Orleans,  he  was  held  for  some  time  as  hostage 
for  seventeen  privateers  held  by  our  government  for  execution. 

*  See  incident,  page  371. 


510  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Since  the  above  was  written,  Colonel  Barker  has  been  mustered  into  the  service  of  a 
higher  life  where  all  take  rank  by  merit  and  none  by  title. 

He  died,  after  months  of  illness,  at  his  residence  in  Maiden,  Mass.,  December  17,  1896, 
and  none  of  the  few  who  still  remain  of  the  "  grand,  old  Twelfth  "  will  learn  the  sad 
intelligence  but  with  deepest  feelings  of  sorrow  and  regret.  Few  knew  him  better,  as  a 
soldier  and  a  man,  than  the  writer  of  this  sketch,  and  he  can  truthfully  say  that  those 
loved  him  most  who  knew  him  best,  for  it  was  only  those  who  got  a  glimpse  behind  the 
screen  of  his  native  modesty  and  saw  the  true  nobility  of  the  man  as  he  appeared  on  the 
higher  plane  of  moral  excellence,  that  could  fully  appreciate  him.  But  none  less  than  he 
would  want  ought  said  of  himself  that  would  lead  the  reader  to  believe  that  he  was,  or 
ever  had  a  thought  that  he  was  any  better,  or  even  quite  as  good  as  many  of  the  men 
whom  he  had  the  honor  to  command.  And  in  nothing  more  than  this  did  he  show  his 
real  worth  as  a  soldier  and  a  man. 

"  But  from  high  joys  he  ever  bent  an  ear 
The  bugles  of  a  higher  cause  to  hear ; 
And  with  unstinted  measure  all  he  gave 
The  Union  and  the  Flag  he  loved  to  save. 
Sweet  Freedom  claimed  him  as  her  own,  and  now 
She  lays  her  crown  upon  his  sleeping  brow." 


JOHN  BLAKE. 

Here  is  the  fifer  by  transfer  of  Company  F,  though  an  enlisted  member  of  Company  B, 
as  he  looked  nearly  forty  years  ago.  The  fifth  of  the  ten  children,  equally  divided,  of  Timothy 
and  Sally  (Emerson)  Blake,  and  born  in  Epsom,  February  8,  1822.  His  father  was  in  the 
War  of  1812,  and  his  grandfather,  Christopher,  was  in  the  Revolution.  Married  Mary  J., 
daughter  of  Aaron  Buz/ell,  of  Gilford,  February  3,  1845,  and  had  by  her  George  F.,  Mar 
garet  R.,  and  Mary  E. 

He  was  one  of  the  best  fifers  in  the  army.  In  a  company  of  many  players,  high  and 
clear  above  them  all  could  be  heard  the  inspiring  notes  of  his  fife.  When  others  had  to 
give  out  as  "  winded,"  he  was  nearly  as  fresh  as  when  he  first  began,  without  once  taking 
the  fife  from  his  lips. 

He  was  naturally  kind  and  free  hearted  and  from  this  fatherly  kindness,  as  well  as  from 
the  fact  that  he  was  older  than  most  of  his  comrades,  he  gained  among  them  the  honored 
name  of  "  Uncle  John."  He  was  present  as  musician  at  several  battles  and  always  ready 
to  do  whatever  duty  was  required  of  him,  though  shells  and  bullets  were  making  music 
instead  of  his  fife.  He  is  still  living  with  his  good  wife  in  Barnstead  where  he  has  resided 
for  many  years.  Occupation,  a  farmer. 


NEWELL  A.  BROWN. 

Son  of  Jonathan  and  Mary  Ann  (Clough)  Brown,  born  in  Gilmanton,  June  12,  1844 ; 
and  died  of  lung  fever  at  Potomac  Creek,  Va.,  December  23,  1802. 

His  brother,  Henry  C.  (another  of  a  family  of  ten  children),  was  a  sergeant  in  Company 
G,  New  Hampshire  Heavy  Artillery;  his  father  a  captain  in  the  State  Militia,  command 
ing  for  years  the  noted  First  Light  Infantry  Company  that  was  often  called  out  as  a 
special  attraction  on  public  occasions ;  while  both  of  his  great-grandfathers,  Jonathan 
Brown  .and  Capt.  Jeremiah  Clough,  were  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  the  former  dying  in 
the  army  about  1778,  and  the  latter  (who  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Canterbury, 
keeper  of  the  Garrison  House  and  leader  of  scouting  expeditions  against  the  Indians)  at 
the  age  of  sixty-five  commanded  a  company  in  Colonel  Poor's  regiment  to  protect  the  State 
coast  againt  the  landing  of  the  enemy. 

He  was  also  a  direct  descendent  of  Nathaniel  and  Mary  Wait,  parents  of  Meshech 
Weare,  and  in  the  collateral  lines,  distinctly  traced  to  common  ancestors,  are  found  a  long 
list  of  statesmen,  patriots,  and  poets  including  Josiah  Bartlett,  General  Prescott,  Webster, 
Cass,  Morrill,  Emerson,  Lowell,  Whittier,  and  many  others. 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


G.   Bk.   D.   6-O. 
GEORGE  W.   AIK1.NS. 


DB.    B.   L.   5-1  I. 
BVT.   COL.   THOMAS     K.    BARKER. 


B.    B.    L.   6— O. 
JOHN     BLAKE. 


B.    L.   L.   5-9. 
NEWELL    A.    BROWN. 


512  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

He  manifested  an  enterprising  ambition  and  ardent  desire  for  knowledge,  unusual 
musical  talent,  and  a  very  genial  and  social  disposition  ;  and  his  untimely  death  cut  short 
a  promising  life  of  usefulness.  Captain  Barker  wrote  of  him  :  "  Newell  was  ever  faithful 
to  God  and  his  country."  Lieutenant  Durgin  wrote  :  "  He  was  a  good  boy  and  soldier,  and 
has  fallen  in  the  morning  of  life  to  the  defence  of  his  country." 


JOSEPH  N.  BUNKER. 

This  brave  soldier  lived  through  many  battles  to  fall  at  last  in  the  dreadful  charge  of 
Cold  Harbor.  He  thought  he  should  be  killed  in  that  battle,  and  so  expressed  himself  to 
John  Watson  just  before  he  made  his  last  advance  against  the  enemy,  and  gave  to  him  his 
watch  to  be  sent  home. 

He  was  born  in  Barnstead,  October  27,  1826,  and  was  the  son  of  John  E.  and  Eliza 
(Nutter)  Bunker.  In  most  of  the  battles,  as  believed,  until  his  death.  Sick  and  in  the 
hospital  a  while,  it  seems,  after  the  Gettysburg  campaign,  and  was  with  George  Aikins 
and  took  care  of  him  when  he  died. 

He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  when  he  enlisted,  and  a  brother  is  now  living  on  the 
old  homestead. 


CORP.  BARON  F.  S.  BURPEE. 

Son  of  Joseph  and  Zilphig  (Flanders)  Burpee,  being  the  youngest  but  one  of  twelve 
children,  and  was  born  in  Boscawen,  August  5,  1836. 

His  grandfather,  Nathaniel  Burpee,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  and  was  present 
when  Washington  took  command  under  the  historic  oak  that  is  still  standing  at  Cam 
bridge,  Mass.  He  lived  to  the  age  of  ninety-two,  and  his  son,  father  of  Baron,  lived  to  be 
ninety-three  ;  and  it  may  be  stated  here,  to  show  that  this  soldier  has  not  only  good  but 
lasting  blood  in  his  veins,  that  his  grandfather,  Aaron  Flanders,  came  within  four  of  having 
had  one  hundred  birthdays.  Yet  of  nine  sisters,  seven  of  whom  lived  to  adult  age,  only 
one  is  now  living,  but  his  two  brothers  still  survive. 

In  Fredericksburg,  and  severely  wounded  in  right  knee  and  captured  at  Chancellors- 
ville,  where  he  remained  ten  days  upon  the  field  before  he  was  paroled  and  sent  across  the 
river  into  our  lines ;  he  rejoined  the  regiment  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  the  next  fall. 

Married  Jenette  E.,  daughter  of  Amos  Eastman,  of  Roxbury,  Vt.,  in  1866.  Children, 
Inez,  Leon,  and  another,  Eugene,  who  died  in  infancy.  He  first  enlisted  in  the  Sixth 
Massachusetts  ;  but,  after  remaining  in  camp  a  while,  was  ordered  home.  Occupation,  a 
machinist,  and  worked  in  shop  most  of  the  time  since  the  war.  Moved  to  Florida  in  1877, 
his  wife  dying  about  two  years  later.  He  deserves  praise  as  man  and  soldier. 


SOLOMON   CLARK. 

This  soldier  is  the  third  of  the  six  children  (  all  boys  )  of  Solomon  and  Sarah  (  Daniels  ) 
Clark,  and  was  born  in  Barnstead,  May  2,  1817.  He  left  the  regiment,  because  of  sickness, 
at  Warrington,  Va.,  November  17,  1862,  and  was  never  with  it  afterward.  He  was  sent 
first  to  Georgetown,  Va.,  where  he  had  the  typhoid  fever,  thence  to  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and 
while  on  his  way  from  there  to  Convalescent  Camp,  Alexandria,  Va.,  he  was  so  severely 
injured  by  a  railroad  accident  that  he  was  soon  discharged  from  the  service,  and  has  been 
an  invalid  ever  since. 

Married  his  first  wife,  Louisa  P.,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Jones,  of  Barnstead,  April 
1841.  Children,  John  A.,  Ellen  E.,  Victoria,  Maria  P.,  Eliza  A.,  Calvin  D.,  Miles  H. 
(deceased),  Cyrus  F.,  Lura  D.,  and  Emily  L. 

Married  second  wife,  Anna  Jones,  June  6,  1888.  Though  his  service  was  short,  yet, 
but  for  his  ill  fortune,  he  would  doubtless  have  proved  himself  the  worthy  grandson  of  the 
Revolutionary  hero,  John  Clark,  who  served  through  the  whole  seven  years'  struggle  for 
our  independence. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers, 


513 


B.   L.   L.   5-9!. 
JOSEPH    X.   BUNKER. 


B.   LB.   L.   5-8. 
CORP.   BARON    F.   S.   BURPEE. 


SOLOMON    CLARK. 


33 


514  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

ERI  COOK. 

This  soldier,  the  youngest  of  the  four  children  (all  boys)  of  James  and  Mercy 
(  Wentworth  )  Cook,  was  born  in  Milton,  June  21,  1823.  His  wife,  with  whom  he  is  still 
living,  was  married  to  him  December  27,  1846  ;  and  of  their  three  children,  Martha  Jane, 
Herman,  and  Lorenzo  D.,  the  oldest  and  youngest  are  dead.  His  wife,  Lavina,  is  daughter 
of  Ezra  Hill,  of  Alton. 

He  had  ancestors  in  the  Revolution  and  had  brothers  in  the  Union  Army.  Discharged 
early  in  the  service  for  disease  contracted  at  Arlington  Heights,  Va.,  *  and  which  has  more 
or  less  disabled  him,  in  his  occupation  as  a  farmer,  ever  since,  rendering  him  nearly  help 
less  for  many  years. 


JOSEPH   T.  COTTON. 

March  8,  1836,  this  soldier  first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light  in  the  town  of  Gilmanton. 
He  was  the  son  of  John  and  Betsy  (Smith)  Cotton,  and  his  early  days  were  spent  upon  a 
farm,  where  he  worked,  when  able,  until  his  death,  August  24,  1878. 

He  was  married  to  Sarah,  daughter  of  Charles  Varney,  of  Gilmanton,  by  whom  he  had 
one  son,  whose  name,  as  the  author  is  informed,  is  Fred  or  Frederick,  and  who  lives  with 
his  mother  on  the  homestead  place  in  Gilmanton. 

He  was,  as  believed,  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  and  was  wounded  severely  in  left 
leg  at  Chancellorsville.  After  this  he  was  in  hospital  thirteen  months,  and  then  discharged. 

A  good,  brave  soldier,  a  kind  neighbor,  and  a  true-hearted  man. 


BVT.  LIEUT.  DAVID   S.  DOCKHAM. 

Son  of  David  E.  and  Louisa  G.  (  Allen  )  Dockham  ;  born  October  16,  1834.  Brother  of 
Joseph  E.  (see  sketch),  and  also  of  Orren  S.,  of  the  Eighth  Regiment,  and  New  Hampshire 
Cavalry.  On  detached  duty  at  brigade  commissary  department  until  after  Gettysburg, 
hence  with  the  regiment,  through  all  to  the  end.  He  was  with  the  team  that  hauled 
rations  to  the  regiment  one  night,  on  the  battle-field  of  Fredericksburg  and  exposed  to  the 
enemy's  shells,  f  Never  seriously  wounded,  but  was  hit  by  a  spent  bullet  on  the  arm  at 
siege  of  Petersburg,  and  a  minie  ball  pierced  his  foot  at  Cold  Harbor. 

Married  April  14,  1874,  to  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Hon.  George  M.  Herring,  of  Farm- 
ington  ;  and  Grace  M.,  George  H.,  Allyn  K.,  and  Mary  E.,  are  living  blessings  of  a  happy 
union,  who  have  reason  to  be  proud  of  their  parentage. 

After  his  marriage,  he  was  clerk  for  his  father-in-law,  who  was  United  States  Inter 
nal  Revenue  Assessor,  by  Lincoln's  appointment,  until  the  office  was  discontinued  and  then 
was  in  company  with  him  in  the  mercantile  business  until  Mr.  Herring's  death.  For  some 
years  he  has  been  an  overseer  in  one  of  the  cotton  mills,  in  Manchester,  where  he  now 
resides.  The  picture  of  him  here  seen  was  taken  soon  after  enlistment. 

Of  the  incidents  that  happened  to  him,  or  came  under  his  observation,  he  relates  the 
following : 

He  had  but  just  left  his  tent,  to  go  to  the  "sink  "  one  night,  in  front  of  Petersburg, 
when  a  shell  struck  and  demolished  it.  One  day,  during  the  siege,  he  saw  one  of  four 
euchre  players  jump  and  throw  a  fuse  shell,  that  had  struck  close  by  them,  over  the 
breastworks  before  it  exploded.  At  another  time  a  tree,  that  Colonel  Barker  had  been 
leaning  against,  became  the  target  of  a  rebel  bullet,  that  could  not  have  found  its  way  there, 
a  few  seconds  before,  except  through  the  colonel's  body.  But  more  strange  and  sadly 
tragic  was  the  death  of  a  drummer  boy,  who  was  killed  and  buried  by  a  coehorn  rnortar 
shell  falling  directly  into  a  "  gopher-hole  "  that  he  had  just  dug,  and  got  into,  to  protect 
himself  from  minie  bullets.  Little  did  he  think,  when  excavating  it,  that  he  was  digging 
his  own  grave. 

*  See  page  27.  t  See  page  46. 


N'eiv  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


515 


G.  K.  S.  5-11. 
ERI  COOK. 


B.  D.  L.  5-9. 
JOSEPH  T.  COTTON. 


B.  B.  D.  5-8. 
BVT.  LIEUT.  DAVID  S.  DOCKHAM. 


516  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

CORP.  JOSEPH  E.  DOCKHAM. 

O,  cruel  and  relentless  death !     For  love  and  mercy  plead  in  vain  for  thy  forbearance. 

Hearts  as  well  as  pictures  had  been  exchanged,  when  this  fair  youth,  just  stepping 
upon  the  stage  of  manhood,  bade  adieu  to  his  betrothed,  and,  listening  to  the  call  of  duty, 
enlisted  in  his  country's  cause.  You  see  him  pictured  here  just  as  he  looked  after  having 
donned  his  new  uniform  in  Concord,  and  his  countenance,  so  sadly  thoughtful,  reminds 
one  that  the  fate  that  awaited  him  might  even  then  have  been  casting  its  shadow  over 
his  mind. 

Born  in  Gilmanton,  August  24,  1841,  and  a  brother  of  David  S.  (  see  sketch).  In 
battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  receiving  his  death  wound  in  the  latter. 
He  lived  several  days  (see  roster). 


CHARLES  W.  DOW. 

Short  was  the  military  career  of  this  young  man,  who  had  legally  been  such  for  little 
more  than  a  year,  when  disease,  more  to  be  feared,  even  in  war,  than  the  shots  of  the 
enemy,  early  claimed  him  as  her  victim,  and  he  died,  like  so  many  of  his  comrades,  a 
martyr  to  the  cause  that  he  volunteered  to  defend. 

Son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Swain)  Dow,  and  was  born  in  Gilmanton,  July  12,  1840, 
being  the  youngest  of  three  children.  According  to  the  family  record,  he  died  of  typhoid 
fever,  December  19,  —  18th  by  the  army  record  —  1862.  Though  not  permitted  to  serve 
his  country  on  the  battle-field,  he  none  the  less  gave  his  life  for  her  perpetuity. 


CAPT.  JOHN  M.  DURGIN. 

This  brave  and  patriotic  officer  and  citizen  was  born  in  Thornton,  February  11,  1812, 
and  died  in  Haverhill,  Mass.,  June  26,  1887.  He  was  the  son  of  Capt.  Francis  and  Maria 
Grace  (  Ayer  )  Durgin. 

Receiving  an  academic  education  he  early  entered  the  ministry,  being  ordained  as  a 
Free  Will  Baptist  preacher,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  and  continued  to  labor  as  such,  except 
when  in  the  army,  until  within  a  few  years  of  his  death. 

He  married  Harriet  R.  Thayer,  of  Gray,  Me.,  who  died  April  13, 1868.  Their  children, 
Maria  A.,  Harriet  T.,  Mary  L.,  John  M.,  and  DeWit  C.,  are  now  all  living,  except  John  M., 
who  was  a  member  of  Company  F,  Seventh  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  and  mortally 
wounded  in  the  attack  upon  Fort  Wagner.  His  second  wife,  Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Coffin,  of  Gil 
manton,  died  soon  after  her  husband.  From  Concord  to  Chancellorsville,  Va.,  he  carried  a 
sword  as  first  lieutenant  of  Company  B.  In  this  battle  he  was  very  severely  and,  as 
supposed,  mortally  wounded,  and  left  for  dead  upon  the  field,  where,  but  for  the  Masonic  sign 
of  distress  to  a  Confederate  officer,  his  body  would  soon  have  been  buried  beneath  the  soil. 
That  sign  brought  water,  and,  as  he  always  claimed,  saved  his  life.  A  minie  ball  had 
passed  directly  through  him,  between  the  lower  lobe  of  the  left  lung  and  the  diaphragm, 
which,  but  for  an  empty  stomach,  it  must  have  perforated.  Within  six  months  after  he  was 
reported  dead,  he  reported  himself  for  duty,  and  rejoined  the  regiment  at  Point  Lookout. 
Being  still  unfit  for  camp  or  field,  he  was  sent  back  to  Concord  on  recruiting  service  ;  and 
afterward  transferred  to  the  Invalid  Corps,  where  he  served  to  the  end  of  the  war.  He  was 
a  man  of  strong,  positive  traits  of  character,  which,  backed  by  the  untiring  energy  of  a 
bilious,  nervous  temperament,  made  him  more  or  less  distinguished  in  whatever  place  he 
was  called  to  act ;  and  he  had'  been  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  Massa 
chusetts  and  of  the  general  court  of  New  Hampshire  before  the  war. 

But  it  was  in  the  pulpit  or  on  the  rostrum  that  he  was  best  known  and  appreciated ; 
for  nature  had  moulded  him  for  an  orator.  He  had  been  a  zealous  advocate  of  the 
cause  of  freedom  against  the  encroachments  of  slavery  ;  and  when  the  war  broke  out,  ex 
changed  the  shepard's  crook  for  the  sword,  because  he  believed  he  could  serve  God  best,  by 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


517 


Bk.    Bk.   I..   5-7. 
CORP.  JOSEPH    E.   DOCKHAM. 


G.   B.    L.   5-7. 
CHARLES    W.    DOW 


CAPT.  JOHN    M.   DURGIN. 


518  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

serving  his  country  first.  He  was  emotional  and  enthusiastic  ;  and  with  a  stump  or  stone 
for  a  pulpit,  he  would  frequently,  when  the  occasion  allowed,  deliver  short,  impromptu 
sermons  to  the  "  boys,  "  by  whom  he  was  called  "  the  fighting  parson.  "  Brave,  open- 
hearted,  and  generous,  his  friends  increased  with  his  years  ;  and  few  have  fallen  from  the 
ranks  of  the  Twelfth  whose  loss  has  been  more  deeply  felt.  Christian  patriot,  rest  in 
peace,  for  thou  hast  thy  reward. 


LIEUT.  HORACE  EDGERLY. 

The  only  son  of  Reuben  and  Sabrina  (  McDaniels  )  Edgerly  was  born  in  Barnstead, 
November  19,  1832.  He  has  two  sisters  living,  one  older  and  one  younger  than  himself. 

He  worked  upon  a  farm  before  enlistment  ;  and  since  discharge,  no  steady  employment, 
but  worked  some  at  farming  and  carpentering.  Residence  at  "  Iron  Works." 

Married,  January  12,  1871,  Julia  A.  Leighton,  daughter  of  John  and  Rebecca  Lougee,  of 
Barnstead,  and  the  former  wife  of  James  C.  Leighton  (see  sketch). 

In  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  severely  wounded  in  right  leg  by  grape 
shot,  which  disabled  him  from  further  active  service.  He  was  taken  prisoner  because  of 
wound,  at  Chancellorsville,  and  remained  twelve  days  on  the  field,  when  he  was  paroled, 
and  taken  under  flag  of  truce,  across  the  river,  into  our  lines.  Returning,  as  soon  as  able, 
from  a  furlough  home,  he  rejoined  the  regiment  in  October,  1864,  and  in  February  next  was 
sent  to  Concord  on  recruiting  service,  and  remained  there  until  discharged.  True  to  his 
duty,  he  was  a  brave  soldier,  and  is  an  esteemed  veteran. 


AS  AH  EL   G.   FLANDERS. 

Here  he  is ;  look  at  him,  for  he  is  the  youngest  original  member  of  the  regiment,  so  far 
as  the  author  has  been  able  to  ascertain. 

He  is  one  of  the  four  children  of  Ruf us  L.  and  Mary  J.  (  Haskell )  Flanders,  and  the 
family  Bible  shows  him  to  have  been  born  in  Gilmanton,  February  28,  1847,  making  him 
fifteen  years,  five  months,  and  fourteen  days  of  age  when  he  enlisted.  His  only  brother, 
John  P.,  served  three  years  in  a  Maine  Regiment,  and  then  for  some  time  in  the  regular 
army.  In  all  the  battles  until  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was  wounded  in  finger,  on  the  day 
before  the  charge.  He  was  wounded  slightly,  picking  the  bullet  from  his  leg  himself,  and 
his  overcoat  pierced  with  bullets  at  Chancellorsville.  He  helped  tear  down  and  restretch 
the  telegraph  wire  at  Drury's  Bluff.  * 

Married  Lizzie  E.,  daughter  of  Andrew  Riggs,  of  Gloucester,  Mass.,  February  6,  1809. 
Children,  Jennie  M.  and  Ruf  us  L. 

His  business,  except  when  fighting  the  "  rebs,"  has  been  to  till  the  soil  of  his  native 
town,  where  he  still  resides. 


LIEUT.  RUFUS  E.  GALE. 

Light  first  dawned  upon  this  officer  in  the  town  of  Gilmanton,  May  1,  1832,  where  he 
grew  into  robust  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  and  continued  to  till  the  same  until  his 
enlistment.  The  names  of  his  parents  were  Stephen  and  Betsey  S.  (  Dudley  )  Gale. 

In  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Swift  Creek,  Relay  House,  Drury's  Bluff, 
Bermuda  Hundred,  and  capture  of  Richmond.  Wounded  at  Chancellorsville,  in  elbow 
and  side,  but  returned  to  regiment  at  Point  Lookout,  October,  1863.  Sick,  from  the  effects 
of  sunstroke,  sometime  after  the  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff,  and  then  on  court-martial  duty 
until  the  next  November,  when  he  rejoined  his  regiment  and  remained  with  it  till  the  end 
of  the  war,  coming  home  with  it  as  adjutant  (see  roster  ).  He  was  stabbed  in  left  arm 
by  one  of  the  "subs,  "  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.f 

Since  the  war,  and  for  many  years,  he  has  been  engaged,  in  company  with  his  brother, 
in  the  hardware  trade  at  Penacook. 

He  was  married,  February  14,  18f>6,  to  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  John  F.  Nelson,  of  Gil- 
man  ton,  and  sister  of  Edwin  Nelson  (  see  sketch  ). 

*  See  page  182.  t  See  page  157. 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


519 


G.    B.    I..   5-II. 
LIEUT.    HORACE    EDGERLY. 


B.    B.   L.   5-61. 
ASAHEL    G.   FLANDERS. 


B.   B.   L.   6-O. 
LIEUT.   RUFUS    E.   GALE. 


520  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

SERGT.   SYLVESTER   J.    GALE. 

Here  is  a  good  picture,  taken  several  years  after  the  war,  of  the  first  man  from  Gilman- 
ton,  as  believed,  to  enlist  under  the  call  for  300,000  more  for  three  years,  or  the  war. 

Born  in  Gilmanton,  February  10,  1832,  and  the  oldest  son  of  the  two  children  of 
Thomas  J.  and  Hannah  (  Sanborn  )  Gale. 

Married  November  29,  1857,  to  Harriet  S.,  daughter  of  William  R.  Gilman,  of  Gilman 
ton.  Children,  Cora  B.  and  Arthur  E. 

In  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  and  wounded  in  last  named  battle,  by  minie 
ball  through  right  leg.  Reported  for  duty  at  Point  Lookout,  October  9,  1863,  but  not 
having  fully  recovered  from  wound,  was  sent  on  recruiting  service  to  Concord,  N.  H.,  and 
remained  there  and  at  Galloup's  Island,  Boston  Harbor,  until  discharged. 

A  blacksmith  by  trade  and  occupation,  and  a  man  who  has  an  opinion  of  his  own,  and 
is  not  afraid  or  unable  to  express  it,  either  with  tongue  or  pen. 


ALVIX  D.  HALL. 

Son  of  William  and  Jehosheba  (Hussey)  Hall,  and  born  in  Barnstead,  March  4,  1833. 
His  great-grandfather,  on  his  mother's  side,  Edward  McGoon,  and  his  four  brothers  were 
in  the  War  of  the  Revolution. 

In  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville.  Wounded  in  last  battle  by  musket  ball 
through  right  arm,  below  the  elbow  ;  and  returned  to  duty  in  September  following,  soon 
after  which,  was  sent  to  Concord,  with  Lieutenant  Edgerly,  on  recruiting  service. 

Married  Junia  Bodge,  of  Barnstead,  December  24,  1871,  and  died  in  said  town, 
November  15,  1875,  of  pneumonia,  having  never  been  in  good  health  after  his  discharge. 

His  wife  died,  June  11,  1873,  leaving  two  children,  Bertha  M.  and  Bertrand  M.  (twins), 
who  are  now  living.  He  possessed  the  elements  of  true  manhood  and  was  a  good  and 
brave  soldier. 


CHARLES   T.   JACOBS. 

Born  in  Gilmanton,  and  was  the  oldest  son  of  the  six  children  (two  boys),  of  Alfred  C. 
and  Ann  E.  (  Sawyer  )  Jacobs. 

He  was  not,  as  believed,  able  to  be  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  being  taken  sick 
some  time  before. 

Alas!  like  too  many,  oh,  how  many,  he  in  the  prime  of  youth's  vigor,  lost  strength 
and  hope,  and  died,  martyr  to  the  cause  of  humanity.  And  he  was  but  one  of  the  many 
thousands  who  died  while  the  army  lay  at  Falmouth,  Va.,  during  the  winter  of  1862-3.  * 
It  makes  tears  of  sorrow,  even  now,  and  dims  the  fading  vision  of  the  old  veteran,  as  he 
remembers  those  terrible  days  of  sickness  and  death. 


EVERETT  JENKINS. 

This  is  the  oldest  son,  but  one,  of  the  eight  children  (  six  boys  )  of  Joseph  and  Lydia 
(  Merrill  )  Jenkins,  of  Barnstead,  where  he  was  born,  September  29,  1836. 

He  married  AddieN.,  daughter  of  Wyatt  Knowles,  of  Pittsfield,  where  they  now  reside. 

He  was  severely  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  and,  from  want  of  proper 
medical  attention,  has.  been  a  cripple  and  constant  sufferer  ever  since  ;  although  by  reason  of  a 
strong  constitution  he  still  survives  as  a  living  illustration  of  the  cruel  and  barbarous 
practice  of  war.  He  is  a  victim  of  one  of  the  shells  thrown  at  the  regiment  before  it 
crossed  the  river  ;f  a  piece  of  it  striking  his  gun  barrel  with  sufficient  force  as  to  bend  it 
almost  like  a  hoop  over  his  shoulder,  and  shatter  his  right  arm.  He  has  suffered  more  how 
ever  with  his  right  leg,  upon  which,  from  the  effects  of  blood  poisoning,  he  has  had  several 
operations,  and  lost  a  large  part  of  the  bone,  although  it  was  not  injured  at  all  by  the  shell 
at  the  time  he  was  wounded. 

*  See  page  56,  et  seq.  t  See  page  41. 


Netv  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


B.   Bk.   D.   5-9^. 
SERGT.    SYLVESTER   J.   GALE. 


ii.  L.  L.  s 

ALVIX    I>.    IIALI. 


CHARLES  T.  JACOBS. 


B.  L.  L.  5-IO. 
EVERETT  JENKINS. 


522  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

One  of  his  four  half-brothers,  William  A.  Jenkins,  went  out  and  cared  for  him  for  two 
months  or  more  until  he  was  able  to  go  home.  Much  of  this  time  he  seemed  balancing 
between  life  and  death,  and  but  for  the  brotherly  attention  and  assistance  he  received  then 
would  not  now  probably  be  among  the  living.  Although  an  invalid  all  the  time,  he,  with 
the  assistance  of  his  wife,  was  enabled  to  hold  the  position  of  postmaster,  in  Pittsfield,  for 
about  twenty  years,  and  is  to-day  one  of  its  most  respected  citizens. 


SERGT.   LEWIS  JENKINS.* 

This  brother  of  the  last  named  soldier  was  born  in  Barnstead,  February  2,  1838. 

He  was  married  September  14,  1862,  to  Carrie  S.  Palmer,  of  Barnstead,  and  has  three 
children,  Walter  L.,  Ellen,  and  Annie  M.  All  of  the  family  are  now  living. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  capture  of  Richmond, 
and  wounded  in  foot  by  niinie  ball  at  Chancellorsville.  He  was  on  detached  service  at 
prisoner's  camp,  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  for  some  months,  and  in  the  Post  Commissary 
Department,  at  Richmond,  Va.,  from  April  3  to  end  of  the  war. 


MELVIN  J.  JENKINS* 

The  youngest  of  three  brothers,  this  and  two  last  mentioned  (see  sketch),  whose 
names  all  appear  upon  the  muster  rolls  of  Company  B  of  this  regiment. 

lie  was  born  in  Barnstead,  December  8,  1843.  He  grew  to  early  manhood  working 
upon  his  father's  farm  on  Beauty  Hill  in  his  native  town. 

He  was  for  sometime  an  efficient  member  of  the  police  force  in  Manchester,  was  six  or 
eight  years  one  of  the  best  city  marshals  of  that  place,  and  is  at  present  employed  as 
watch mau  there  in  one  of  its  large  cotton  manufactories. 

After  the  war,  January  2,  1868,  he  married  Mary  A.  Parker,  of  London,  by  whom  he 
has  two  children,  Everett  P.  and  Ethel. 


CHARLES  H.  JONES. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  only  son  of  the  four  children  of  John  and  Lydia 
M.  (Drew)  Jones,  who  was  born  in  Great  Falls,  September  1,  1837.  He  died  of  black 
measles  at  Potomac  Creek,  Va..  December  11,  1862. 

He  was  the  first  of  the  regiment  to  die  of  that  disease,  and  one  of  the  many  who  died 
that  winter  while  the  regiment  was  encamped  at  Falmouth,  Va.  He  was  a  Christian  by 
profession,  and  a  good  man  by  nature.  A  farmer,  and  was  never  married. 


JOHN  C.  LEIGHTON. 

Son  of  James  and  Lavina  (Kimball)  Leighton,  and  born  in  Gilmanton,  August 
14,  1838.  Married  Julia  Ann  Lougee,  of  Gilmanton,  June  14,  1861  ;  no  children. 

In  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  and  from  exposure,  probably,  in  that  short  but  severe 
campaign  contracted  the  cold  which  resulted  in  his  death  from  typhoid  fever  a  few  weeks 
later.  (See  roster.) 

lie  was  a  young  man  of  rare  moral  excellence,  and  possessed  what  he  professed,  the 
true  brotherly  love  and  kindness  of  a  Christian's  heart;  and  this  together  with  his 
naturally  kind  and  attractive  disposition  made  every  acquaintance  a  friend,  and  his  com 
rades  to  love  him  as  a  brother.  Honor  to  his  memory  and  sorrow  for  his  untimely  end,  is 
the  sentiment  of  all  who  still  remember  him. 

*See  end  of  this  company. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


523 


B.   B.   L.   5-9. 
SERGT.    LEWIS   JENKINS. 


B.    B.    L.   5-10. 
MELVIN    J.  JENKINS. 


B.    B.    L.   5-5^. 
CHARLES    H.  JONES. 


B.    B.   L.   6-O. 
JOHN    C.   LEIGHTON. 


524  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

ANDREW  D.  LOCKE. 

Fifty-five  years  ago  this  7th  day  of  September,  1891,  this  son  of  Reuben  and  Eliza 
(Shaw)  Locke  was  born  in  the  town  of  Loudon,  where  lie  now  resides.  Married  Amanda 
M.  Sanborn,  of  Loudon,  January  1,  1856.  Children,  Charles  A.,  Flora  E.  and  Clara  E. 
(twins),  George  A.,  Ida  B.,  Jennie  M.,  Henry  P.,  and  Mamie  E. 

In  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Cemetery  Hill,  Siege  of  Petersburg,  and  Bermuda 
Hundred.  Wounded  and  captured  at  Chancellorsville,  and  captured  again  at  Bermuda 
Hundred.  In  Libby  prison  twice,  about  three  weeks  each,  and  two  months  or  more  in 
rebel  prison  at  Salisbury.  A  printer  by  trade. 


LIEUT.  CHARLES  E.  MARSH. 

An  honorable  ancestry  and  a  good  record  belongs  to  the  name  and  claim  of  this  comrade 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  who  left  his  blood  on  two  great  battle-fields  of  the 
war,  being  wounded  in  left  arm  by  shell  at  Fredericksburg,*  and  by  musket  ball  in  left 
groin  at  Gettysburg,  and  so  far  disabled  as  to  unfit  him  for  further  field  service. 

Son  of  Amos  and  Susan  (Gilman)  Marsh  and  grandson  of  Joseph  Marsh  who  was  a 
soldier  of  the  Revolution.  Born  in  Gilmanton,  April  4,  1836 ;  academic  education  ;  and 
worked  before  enlistment  in  a  plow  manufactory.  He  was  married  June  16,  1864,  to 
Laura  A.  Griffin,  of  Lowell,  Mass.  Children,  Myrtle  M.,  Lilly  M.,  and  Frederick  C. 

After  the  war  he  worked  at  the  printing  business  a  while  in  Gilmanton,  and  then  moved 
to  Greenville  where  he  has  resided  ever  since,  and  has  held  several  local  and  town  offices 
including  postmaster,  cashier  of  bank,  and  town  representative,  beside  others  of  trust  and 
responsibility. 


THOMAS  MOORE. 

Here  is  another  one  of  the  "  Old  Guard  "  as  he  looked,  with  his  whiskers  cropped,  in  his 
dress-coat  suit  of  uniform. 

Parents,  Jonathan  and  Charlotte  (McCrillis)  Moore ;  place  and  date  of  birth,  Dover, 
October  12,  1826.  Married  July  25,  1857,  to  Mary  Phebe,  daughter  of  William  Green, 
of  Pittsfield,  whose  sons,  Cotton  W.  and  George  F.,  served  in  the  New  Hampshire 
Heavy  Artillery.  Children,  Hattie  C.  and  Frank  L.,  both  lived  to  grow  up  but  now 
deceased.  In  all  the  principal  battles  of  the  regiment  from  Fredericksburg  to  Cold 
Harbor  inclusive. 

Wounded  in  right  thigh  at  Gettysburg,  and  in  left  thigh  at  Cold  Harbor,  the  last  while 
on  the  advance  picket  line  June  7,  1864,  instead  of  the  third  as  stated  in  the  roster.  As 
soon  as  able,  after  Gettysburg,  he  was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Brattleboro,  Vt.,  and 
remained  there  until  January  14, 1864,  when  he  rejoined  the  regiment  at  Point  Lookout,  Md. 
After  Cold  Harbor,  he  was  in  Washington  Street  Hospital,  Alexandria,  until  near  the  close 
of  the  war,  when  he  was  sent  to  Auger  Hospital,  Washington,  where  he  was  discharged. 
Occupation,  a  farmer  like  his  father  before  him,  who  was  in  the  War  of  1812.  A  man  of 
few  words,  but  brave,  honest,  and  reliable  not  only  as  a  soldier  but  in  every  position  and 
relation  of  life. 


HORACE  T.  MUNSEY. 

Son  of  Joseph  and  Sally  C.  (Twombly)  Munsey,  and  born  in  Chelsea,  Mass.,  April  14, 
1836.  Married  April  17,  1860,  to  Sophia  C.  Munsey,  of  Barnstead.  In  Fredericksburg, 
and,  as  believed,  fought  at  Chancellorsville.  He  was  a  worthy  man  and  brave  soldier. 
Died  of  fever. 

His  brother,  George  F.,  died  of  wounds  received  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  instead  of 
disease.  (See  roster.)  He  too  was  a  brave  soldier,  and  his  name  appears,  as  it  should,  on 
the  roll  of  honor.  He  was  married  and  left  one  daughter. 

*See  page  41. 


JVczv  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


525 


G.   DK.    D.    ^-. 
ANDREW    D.    LOCKE. 


B.   S.   S.   5-II. 
LIEUT.   CHARLES    E.   MARSH. 


m 


I?.    H.   L.   5~7^. 
THOMAS    MOORE. 


G.   B.    L.   5-6. 
HORACE    T.    MUNSEY. 


526  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

EDWIN  S.  NELSOX. 

Born  on  the  old  homestead  farm  in  Gilinanton,  which  has  ever  since  been  his  home, 
May  18,  1842.  Son  of  John  F.  and  Huldah  (Kimball)  Nelson,  and  was  the  fourth  of  five 
children,  two  of  whom  were  boys.  In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville, 
and  severely  wounded  in  last  in  right  leg,  disabling  him  from  all  further  service.  He  lay 
on  the  field  where  he  fell  for  several  days  in  the  enemy's  lines  before  he  was  paroled. 

He  was  married  soon  after  the  war  to  Margaret,  daughter  of  Capt.  Jonathan  Picker 
ing,  of  Barnstead,  and  Minnie  Ethel  is  their  only  child.  Though  his  war  record  was  short 
yet  he  fought  and  bled  on  one  of  the  most  sanguine  battle-fields  of  the  war. 


ALBERT  M.  NEWELL. 

William  H.  Newell  married  Olive  Dennett  and  had  by  her  thirteen  children,  four  of 
whom  fought  for  the  Union,  viz.,  William  J.,  of  the  Fifth  New  Hampshire,  Albert  M. 
and  Arthur  C.,  of  the  Twelfth,  and  Samuel  A.,  who  served  in  a  western  regiment. 
William  J.  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch  were  both  twin  children,  though  of  different 
ages  by  several  years. 

Married  to  Amelia  J.  Fisk  in  1854,  and  their  children  are  Albert,  Frank,  and  John  P. 

In  Fredericksburg,  Gettysburg,  and  Wapping  Heights  battles  but  never  wounded.  At 
the  battle  of  Gettysburg  when  the  tide  turned,  and  it  was  his  turn  to  catch  fish,  lie  "  bagged  " 
eight  Johnnies  though  not  exactly  at  one  "  haul,"  and  had  them  all  upon  one  "  string  " 
within  our  lines.  They  were  all  found  on  dangerous  shoals,  and  quite  willing  to  be  taken.* 

He  was  selected  as  cook  at  regimental  headquarters  at  Point  Lookout,  and  acted  as 
such  and  company  cook  to  the  end  of  the  war.f  While  carrying  rations  to  the  men  while 
in  front  of  Petersburg  he  came  very  near  being  killed  by  a  rebel  sharpshooter. 

His  twin  brother,  Lafayette,  was  a  photographer  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  for  some 
months  while  the  regiment  was  encamped  there,  and  many  pictures  that  appear  in  this 
history  are  engraved  from  photo-copies  of  the  living  original  as  taken  by  him  at  time  and 
place. 


BVT.  LIEUT.  HARLAN  PAIGE 

Is  a  native  of  Gilinanton  where  he  now  resides,  and  his  parents,  Asa  and  Eliza  F. 
(Edgerly)  Paige,  welcomed-  his  advent  there,  August  5,  1838.  He  is  the  oldest  but  one  of 
eight  children,  four  boys  and  four  girls.  He  was  with  regiment  through  all  its  battles 
except  Chancellorsville  and  Gettysburg,  and  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  head  at  Drury's 
Bluff  and  in  leg  at  Cold  Harbor. 

His  brothers,  Albert  T.  and  Asa  F.,  served  for  four  years  in  Fourth  New  Hampshire 
Regiment,  the  latter  serving  three  years  more  in  the  regular  army.  He  and  a  comrade  had 
a  perilous  experience  within  the  enemy's  lines  in  the  fall  of  1862,  but  fortunately  escaped 
capture.:}: 

January  2, 1860,  he  married  Lydia  E.,  daughter  of  Joseph  Sleeper,  of  Gilmanton,  who 
had  two  sons  in  the  same  regiment — James,  who  was  severely  wounded  at  Chancellorsville, 
and  William  H.,  who  died  in  the  service.  (See  roster.)  Lieutenant  Paige  has  three  chil 
dren  named  Agnes  L.,  Alice  J.,  and  Fannie  B.  He  is  a  shoemaker  by  occupation,  working 
as  such  both  before  and  since  the  war.  He  is  of  English  descent,  but  America  is  now 
proud  to  claim  him  as  one  of  her  most  reliant  defenders. 


HORACE  M.  PARSHLEY. 

Born  in  Barnstead  where  he  now  resides,  May  11,  1830,  with  Abby  Bickford  whom  he 
chose  as  his  life  partner  March  7,  1862,  and  by  whom  he  has  been  blessed  with  seven  chil 
dren,  Frank  L.,  Bettie  A.,  Eli,  Euphemia  D.,  Mary  V.,  Bertha  P.,  Inez  E.,  all  living.  He 
is  the  son  of  Joshua  and  Patience  (Keniston)  Parshley. 

*  See  page  126.  t  See  page  418.  t  See  narrative  page  400,  also  anecdote  425. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


527 


B.   B.   L.   5-IO. 
EDWIN    S.   NELSON, 


Bk.   D.   D.    ^-9. 
ALBERT    M.    NEWELL. 


G.   DB.   D.   5~5f. 
BVT.    LIEUT.   IIARLAN    PAIGE. 


B.   D.    D.   5-. 
HORACE    M.    PARSHLEV. 


528  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

In  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Drury's  Bluff,  and  Cold  Harbor.  He  says:  "I 
was  the  last  to  come  out  of  Cold  Harbor  alive.  The  ground  fairly  crawled  beneath  my 
feet."  Though  sick  and  in  hospital  much  of  the  time,  he  was  in  some  of  the  hardest 
fights  of  the  regiment,  and  came  home  with  the  few  who  lived  to  see  the  end.  He  is 
living  in  his  native  town  to-day. 


CORP.  PELEG  D.  PERKIXS. 

Born  in  Fairhaven,  Mass.,  in  1830,  the  son  of  William  and  Adda  (Perkins)  Perkins, 
and  the  brother  of  William  H.,  who  was  in  the  same  company  and  mortally  wounded  at 
Chancellorsville.  Married  November  30,  1863,  while  at  home  on  furlough,  to  Sarah  E. 
Dow,  sister  of  Charles  W.  (see  sketch),  and  his  only  child,  who  was  not  born  until  after 
his  death,  was  named  Clara  Ella  and  is  now  the  wife  of  Clarence  S.  Jenkins,  of  Pittsfield. 

In  most  or  all  the  battles  of  the  regiment,  being  wounded  at  Chancellorsville,  until  the 
last  and  fatal  one  of  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  lost  both  legs  and  from  the  effects  of  which 
he  soon  after  died.  (See  roster.)  Little  is  known  of  the  family  record  of  this  man,  but 
he  is  remembered  by  his  comrades  as  one  of  the  bravest  and  best. 


THOMAS   J.  PIERCE. 

We  give  here  a  good  picture  of  this  soldier  who  was  born  in  Barnstead,  December  19, 
1838.  His  father,  Henry  H.  Pierce,  was  a  carpenter  and  worked  for  many  years  for  the 
Pittsfield  cotton  mill,  and  was  an  upright  man.  His  mother,  also  lately  deceased,  was 
Abigail  N.  M.  Caswell.  He  was  the  second  son. 

He  was  wounded  in  right  arm  at  Chancellorsville,  causing  amputation  at  elbow,  and 
about  a  month  later  his  death.  (See  roster.)  When  lying  in  hospital  after  losing  his  arm 
he  continually  complained  of  its  hurting  him,  saying  it  was  doubled  up  some  way  and 
pained  him.  Upon  digging  it  up,  it  was  found  to  be  lying  in  a  cramped  position  and  was 
changed.  He  did  not  complain  of  it  afterward,  although  he  did  not  know  that  it  had 
been  moved. 

Married  to  Mary,  daughter  of  John  Chesley,  of  Barnstead,  in  September,  1862;  no 
children.  A  shoemaker  by  trade,  and  of  good  disposition  and  habits.  His  grandfather 
was  a  veteran  of  the  War  of  1812. 


SERGT.  JOHN  L.  PIPER. 

Here  is  a  good  picture  of  a  good  soldier  and  good  man.  Like  many  others  of  the 
company,  too  much  cannot  be  said  in  his  praise.  Born  in  Gilmanton,  March  16,  1836. 
Parents,  Stephen  and  Mary  (Glidden)  Piper.  Married  November  25,  1856,  to  Mary  E., 
daughter  of  William  Dudley,  of  Barnstead,  and  their  children  are  Frank  H.  and  Harriet 
M. ;  another,  the  first  born,  died  in  infancy. 

A  brother,  Dudley  L.,  served  in  New  Hampshire  Heavy  Artillery. 

In  every  engagement  with  his  regiment  until  Cold  Harbor,  where  his  left  leg  was 
penetrated  by  a  grape  shot,  that  he  still  keeps,  disabling  him  from  further  service  during 
the  war.  During  the  winter  of  1863-64,  he  was  on  detached  service  at  Concord,  gathering 
up  and  taking  recruits  to  the  front. 

Over  six  feet  tall  and  well  proportioned,  he  is  one  of  the  very  few,  out  of  the  many 
large  men,  who  enlisted  in  the  regiment,  who  were  present  in  the  ranks  after  the  first  year; 
and  almost  the  only  one  who  was  so  long  at  the  front.  At  Chancellorsville,  when  told  by 
Captain  Barker,  when  wounded,  that  he  would  have  to  take  'command  of  the  company  as 
he  was  the  ranking  officer  left,  he  replied,  as  he  vigorously  rammed  another  cartridge  down 
his  gun  barrel :  "  Well,  I'll  do  the  best  I  can ;"  and  he  kept  his  word  not  only  through 
that  battle,  but  until  the  end  of  his  service.  Had  all  as  earnestly  resolved  and  faithfully 
performed  as  he,  there  would  be  many  less  to  feel  ashamed  that  they  are  alive  to-day. 

Several  years  after  the  war  he  was  providentially  saved  from  violent  death  while 
working  in  a  saw  mill.  He  was  caught  by  and  carried  around  a  swift  revolving  shaft 
where  it  seemed  impossible  for  a  man  of  his  size  to  go ;  but  he  did  and  came  out  alive.* 

*See  incidents,  pages  157  and  425. 


JVeiv  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


529 


B.    S.   S.   5-9. 
CORP.    PELEG    D.    PERKINS. 


B.   A.   L.   5-8. 
THOMAS   J.    PIERCE. 


B.    B.    I..   6-1. 
SERGT.  JOHN    L.    PIPER. 


530  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

GEORGE   W.  PITMAN. 

This  member  of  the  old  drum  corps,*  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Betsey  (Straw)  Pitman, 
and  was  born  in  Barnstead  in  1838,  on  the  same  month  and  day  as  he  from  whom  he  took 
his  world-honored  name. 

He  was  with  the  regiment,  as  musician,  in  all  its  marches  and  battles,  and  at  every 
place — except  a  short  time  in  hospital — from  the  beginning  to  the  end,  when  he  visited 
home  and  greeted  his  relatives  and  friends  for  the  first  time  after  leaving  them  nearly 
three  years  before. 

He  was  a  drummer,  and  a  good  one,  and  is  to-day  ;  and  as  brave  with  his  stretcher  on 
the  field  of  courage,  as  he  was  skilful  with  the  use  of  his  drumsticks  on  dress  parade  or 
review.  He  married  the  widow  of  George  W.  Jewett,  of  Company  H  (see  sketch),  April  2, 
1872.  Xo  children.  Nothing  can  be  said  of  this  soldier  or  his  record  that  is  not  meritorious. 


GEORGE   E.  PLACE. 

Son  of  Smith  C.  and  Nancy  J.  (Dicey)  Place,  and  born  August  8,  1837.  Jacob  Place, 
his  grandfather,  was  in  the  last  war  with  England ;  and  in  the  late  war  his  father  served 
in  the  Seventh  New  Hampshire  \rolunteers,  and  his  brother,  Josiah  S.,  died  while  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Fourth  New  Hampshire,  and  was  buried  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  where  his  dust 
still  reposes. 

Married  November  27, 1860,  to  Elsie  M.  Kendall.  Children,  Edwin  J.,  Nora  A.,  Ida  J., 
and  Gertrude  S. — the  first  and  last  living. 

In  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville,  Swift  Creek,  Port  Walthall,  and  also  Cold  Harbor, 
where  he  was  wounded  by  musket  balls  in  right  arm  and  back.  In  the  fall  of  1864  he  was 
detailed  to  serve  in  ambulance  train  of  Twenty-fourth  Corps,  remaining  there  until  the 
end  of  the  war.  Although  sickness  kept  him  from  the  field  for  several  months,  yet  he  was 
always  the  same  intelligent  and  faithful  soldier,  and  acted  well  his  part.  He  was  Com 
pany  B's  poet  in  the  army  while  at  Falmouth,  and  used  to  write  verses  for  his  comrades 
for  five  cents  each.  Since  the  war  he  has  exercised  his  literary  talent  by  frequent  contri 
butions  for  the  press.  His  personal  experience  at  Chancellorsville,  and  other  extracts  from 
his  pen  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  history.f 


JAMES   E.  RANDLETT. 

Here  is  one  of  the  youngest  of  the  regiment,  and  used  to  be  called,  as  every  one  sup 
posed  he  was,  "  the  baby  of  Company  B."  And  not  till  many  years  after  the  war,  when 
youth  had  changed  to  manhood,  and  gray  hairs  appeared  among  the  brown,  did  the  Bible 
fact  appear,  upon  careful  investigation,  that  not  only  Company  B,  but  nearly  the  whole 
regiment,  had  been  proudly  nursing  the  wrong  baby .' 

He  was  the  second  of  the  four  children  of  James  S.  and  Abby  O.  (Chase)  Randlett, 
and  was  born  in  Qniticy,  Mass.,  September  5,  1846. 

It  soon  became  evident  that  he  was  too  tall  for  his  years  to  stand  long  in  the  ranks  of 
war,  and  he  was  left  sick  at  Warrington,  Ya.,  being  reduced,  then  or  soon  after,  from  158 
to  76  pounds.  After  this  he  was  sick  for  a  long  time  and  the  keen  edge  of  his  youthful 
ambition  to  serve  his  country  was  dulled,  and  he  consented  to  act  the  invalid's  part  till  the 
bloody  drama  closed.  (See  roster.) 

Married  Georgia,  daughter  of  Solomon  Gray,  of  Concord,  December  22,  1864.  Chil 
dren,  Clarence  B.  and  Elizabeth  M. 

After  the  war  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and  worked  at  it  fifteen  years,  then  was 
mail  carrier  at  Concord  for  four  years,  and  then  appointed  keeper  of  the  State  House  for  four 
years  more ;  since  which,  engaged  in  architecture,  being  employed  in  building  Memorial 
Hall  building  at  Philadelphia  for  the  great  Exposition  of  1876.  Also  has  been  employed  • 

*  See  page  371.  t  See  pages  206  and  447. 


New  Hampshire  \rolnnteers. 


H.   Bk.   D.    =>— 7. 
GEORGE    W.    PITMAN. 


G.   B.   D.  5-71. 
GEORGE    E.   PLACE. 


Bk.   B.   D.   5-9. 
JAMES    E.   RANDLETT 


53 2  History  of  the  T2velfth  Regiment 

to  draw  plans  for  erection  of  many  public  and  private  buildings  and  blocks  of  this  State, 
among  which  is  the  State  Agricultural  building  at  Durham,  which  he  also  built.  Nothing 
is  so  commendable  in  this  sketch  as  the  following  from  his  own  pen  : 

"  I  received  my  education  mostly  from  evening  schools  after  I  had  done  my  usual 
day's  work  at  my  trade.  I  started  in  life  with  just  the  clothes  I  had  on  my  back  ;  but 
God  has  blessed  me,  and  I  think  I  have  been  very  successful." 

Thus  from  his  work  since  may  be  inferred  what  his  army  record  might  and  probably 
would  have  been  had  health  permitted. 


JOSEPH   C.  RUSSELL. 

A  native  of  Franconia,  where  he  became  the  child  of  Joseph  and  Abigail  S.  (Pink- 
ham)  Russell,  May  20,  1836.  Enlisted  as  a  teamster  and  served  as  such  to  the  end  of  the 
war,  being  wagon  master  for  some  time  in  Quartermaster  department.  He  married  Jennie 
B.,  daughter  of  John  N.  Hoyt,  of  Barnstead,  March  12,  1859,  and  their  only  child's  name 
is  Harry  H. 

A  farmer  when  he  enlisted,  but  for  many  years  after  the  war  a  grocery  merchant  in 
Boston,  Mass.,  and  now  engaged  in  the  same  business  at  Barnstead  Parade. 

The  fact  that  he  was  promoted  and  so  long  retained  in  the  line  of  service  for  which 
he  enlisted  is  sufficient  evidence  of  his  ability  and  fidelity,  for  it  proves  that  he  acted  well 
his  part. 


NOBLE  SACKETT. 

Son  of  Noble  and  Olive  (Watkins)  Sackett,  and  born  in  Westfield,  Mass.,  August  4, 
1814.  Married  Rooxbe  S.  Jacobs,  who  was  a  good  and  faithful  mother,  December  1,  1841. 
Children,  David  N.,  Hannah  M.,  Olive  J.,  Angeline  R.,  Sedelia  S.  (deceased),  Hiram  M. 
(deceased),  Priscilla  A.,  Franklin  E.,  Electa  S.,  Cyntha  A.,  Ada  M.,  and  George  A. 

In  Fredericksburg,  and  in  Chancellorsville  where  he  was  wounded  in  head,  lying  for 
some  time  senseless  on  the  field,  taken  prisoner  and  confined  in  Libby  and  Belle  Isle  until 
paroled  and  sent  to  Annapolis,  Md.,  where  his  leg  was  accidentally  broken,  and  from  which 
place  he  was  discharged. 

Re-enlisted  in  the  Eighteenth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers  and  served  therein  until  the 
end  of  the  war.  Buried  in  Barnstead  where  he  died  August  27,  1885.  (See  error  in 
roster.)  Occupation,  shoemaker  and  farmer.  He  was  a  good  man  and  soldier  and  left  an 
honorable  record.  See  father's  and  son's  pictures,  next  page. 


DAVID   N.  SACKETT. 

The  oldest  child  of  Noble  and  Rooxbe  (Jacobs)  Sackett  (see  last  sketch),  and  born  in 
Pittsfield,  January  12,  1842.  His  grandfather  Jacobs  was  in  the  War  of  1812. 

In  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  and  wounded  in  the  last  battle  in  right  hand 
and  hip,  losing  a  finger.  Calvin  D.  Pitman,  of  his  company,  was  killed  by  his  side. 

Married  Sarah  E.,  daughter  of  Aaron  G.  Young,  of  Barnstead,  March  24,  1867,  and 
Nellie  E.  is  their  only  child. 

Quiet  and  modest,  but  one  of  those  men  it  would  be  safe  to  select  to  carry  a  "  forlorn 
hope."  Now,  as  for  some  years,  a  successful  merchant  at  Barnstead  Centre,  where  he  has 
the  confidence  of  his  patrons  and  the  respect  of  all  his  townsmen. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


533 


B.    B.    I).   5-8. 
JOSEPH    C.   RUSSELL 


B.   G.   L.   5- 
NOBLE    SACKETT. 


R.    B.    L.    5-8. 
DAVID    X.   SACKETT 


534  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

WILLIAM   U.  SHAW. 

Son  of  Erastus  and  Elizabeth  (Holmes)  Underwood,  and  adopted  son  of  William 
Shaw  ;  born  in  Concord,  May  18,  1836. 

Married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Hon.  Samuel  Berry,  of  Barnstead,  February  24,  1858  ; 
and  their  children,  Florence  E.  and  Harry  T.,  are  both  living. 

In  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  and  although  his  comrades  were  wounded  and 
killed  on  both  sides  and  in  front  of  him  in  these  battles,  he  escaped  unhurt.  During  the 
fall  and  winter  of  1863-4,  he  was  sick  in  hospital  at  Washington  and  Philadelphia.  From 
the  spring  following,  to  the  end  of  the  war,  was  in  charge  of  Commissary  Department,  at 
Edward's  Island,  N.  Y. 

He  left  his  home  at  Pittsfield,  a  few  years  after  the  war,  while  engaged  as  shoe-freighter 
between  that  place  and  Lynn,  and  has  never  been  seen  or  heard  of  since.  As  no  sufficient 
reason  is  known  for  his  sudden  disappearance,  it  was  thought  by  many  that  he  was  mur 
dered.  He  was  a  good  soldier,  and  always  considered  an  honest,  kind-hearted  man. 


SERGT.  JOHN  D.  SHERBURNE. 

The  son  of  George  W.  and  Mary  J.  (Young)  Sherburne.  Born  in  Gilmanton,  May  14, 
1846,  and  married  Hannah  J.,  daughter  of  Joseph  Rollins,  of  Gilmanton,  August  30,  1866, 
and  has  one  son,  Luman  A.  Sherburne. 

This  soldier,  as  seen  by  his  birth,  was  one  of  the  very  youngest  of  the  regiment,  a  mere 
boy,  who  scarcely  weighed  a  hundred  pounds  when  he  enlisted,  but  who  to-day  tips  the 
scales  at  two  hundred  and  forty-five. 

He  joined  the  regiment  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  and  was  with  it  through  everything, 
except  the  battle  of  Cemetery  Hill,  till  the  end  of  the  war,  and  proved  himself  to  be  one  of 
its  best  soldiers.  His  brother,  George  M.,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Sixth  Regiment  and  badly 
wounded  at  Antietam,  and  his  grandfather  was  in  the  War  of  1812. 

Shoemaker  by  trade  both  before  and  since  the  war.      A  good  citizen  as  he  was  soldier. 


HORACE  H.  SMITH. 

Here  is  one  of  whom  it  can  truthfully  be  said,  God  made  him  as  a  living,  personal 
illustration  of  His  own  goodness.  Though  claiming  no  saving  grace,  yet  in  the  highest  and 
broadest  sense  his  life  was  a  pattern  of  true  Christianity,  and  his  death  a  patriotic  benediction. 

His  old  comrades  and  former  acquaintances  all  unite  in  praising  him  for  his  noble  and 
unselfish  qualities  of  heart  and  in  expressing  the  thought  that,  as  a  boy,  schoolmate,  com 
rade,  and  neighbor,  nothing  too  eulogistic  can  be  said  of  him.  In  native  goodness,  he  had 
i'ew,  if  any,  in  the  company  as  replete  as  he ;  and  Company  B  was  by  no  means  lacking  in 
this  respect. 

Sergt.  S.  J.  Gale  says  :  "  I  can  say  personally  of  him,  that  no  better  soldier  ever  shoul 
dered  a  gun.  I  stood  near  him  when  he  was  killed  at  Chancellorsville.  A  ball  struck  him 
near  his  temple  ;  he  fell  and  died  without  a  murmur  or  a  struggle,  and  his  body  was  left 
in  the  hands  of  the  enemy." 

He  was  born  in  Barnstead  in  1835,  and  his  mother's  name  was  Mezibah  Smith.  She 
survived  her  son  many  years. 


SERGT.  JOSEPH   F.   STOCKBRIDGE. 

We  introduce  here  the  youthful  picture  of  as  true  and  brave  a  soldier  as  ever  faced  an 
enemy  on  the  field  of  battle. 

Youngest  of  the  six  children  (four  boys)  of  John  D.  and  Keziah  (Evans)  Stockbridge, 
and  born  in  Alton,  October  12,  1842.  Married  January  11,  1869,  to  Emma,  daughter  of 
Richard  Ilutchinson,  of  Orange. 

In  every  battle,  skirmish,  and  march,  of  the  regiment,  except  the  march  from  Berlin, 
Md.,  to  Falmouth,  Va.,  when  he  was  sick  in  hospital,  rejoining  his  company  two  days  before 
the  battle  of  Fredericksburg.  Wounded  slightly  at  Gettysburg,  and  quite  severely  in  head 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


535 


B.    B.   I..   6-O. 
WILLIAM     U.   SHAW. 


B.    B.    L.   5-6. 
SKRGT.    JOHN'    D.   SHEKBURXE. 


B.    B.   L.   6-0. 
HORACE    H.   SMITH. 


536  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

at  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was  left  senseless  on  the  field.  At  Chancellorsville  he  had  eight 
bullet  holes  made  in  his  clothes  and  two  bullets  lodged  in  his  knapsack  while  retreating, 
the  extra  rations  of  hard-tack  therein  saving  his  life.  Taken  prisoner  at  Gettysburg, 
but  in  a  few  minutes,  favored  by  the  turning  tide  of  battle,  he  was  enabled  to  capture  hia 
captors  —  a  sergeant  and  three  men  —  and  marched  them  to  the  rear.  He  afterward  saw 
and  talked  with  them  at  Point  Lookout.  He  never  went  to  hospital,  except  as  above,  even 
when  wounded,  and  never  excused  from  duty,  except  for  one  day  in  front  of  Petersburg. 
It  is  said,  that  he  caught  up  an  unexploded  shell,  that  struck  near  him,  in  the  trenches  one 
day,  and  threw  it  over  the  breastworks  while  the  fuse  was  still  burning ;  and  this  story 
seems  to  be  a  true  one,  except  that  neither  he,  nor  those  who  saw  him,  knew  certain  that 
the  fuse  was  on  fire,  when  he  did  the  brave  act. 

Colonel  Barker,  first  captain  of  his  company,  writes  of  him  :  "  An  A  No.  1 ;  always 
clean,  tidy,  and  on  hand  ;  brave,  faithful,  and  true  ;  a,n  ideal  soldier  in  camp,  on  the  march, 
and  on  the  field  of  battle.  "  In  addition  to  his  bringing  home  the  colors,  it  should  be  said 
that  he  had  previously  carried  them  a  few  days  at  Point  Lookout. 

Quiet  and  unobtrusive,  like  most  all  truly  brave  men,  he  manifests  to  a  casual  observer 
but  little  of  that  tremendous  nerve  energy  that  lies  in  reserve,  and  that  he  has  so  often 
exhibited  when  duty  and  danger  made  urgent  demand.  As  a  citizen,  his  life  has  in  no  way 
detracted  from  his  brilliant  record  as  a  soldier,  and  he  has  long  been  recognized  among  his 
neighbors  and  townsmen  as  an  honest-hearted  and  practical-minded  man. 

Although  he  has  no  children,  to  bear  his  name,  and  is  the  last  one  living  of  his 
father's  family,  posterity  will  cherish  and  preserve  it  in  the  honored  list  of  our  country's 
noblest  defenders.* 


WILLIAM   SWEATT. 

Here  you  can  look  upon  the  ambrotypic  wrood  print  of  one  of  the  strongest  and  stoutest 
sons  of  old  Gilmanton,  a  well  developed  manhood  of  forty-one  years'  existence  upon  her 
rough  and  rugged  soil,  yet,  like  most  of  his  size,  among  the  first  to  yield  to  the  hardships 
of  the  march  and  go  down,  while  the  comparatively  weak  and  slender  struggled  on.  He 
was  one  of  a  family  of  eleven  children  of  Jeremiah  and  Sarah  (French)  Sweatt,  of  Gil- 
manton.  Maria  H.,  daughter  of  Caleb  Page,  of  the  same  town,  became  his  wife,  April  25, 
1854.  He  died  (see  roster)  at  Potomac  Creek.  Va.,  leaving  his  widow  with  two  small 
children,  Lura  M.  and  John  W.,  both  of  whom  are  still  living  to  comfort  and  assist  their 
mother  in  her  declining  years. 

While  he  died  in  the  service  of  his  country,  she  bravely  lived  on,  under  the  heavy 
burden  of  her  sorrow,  in  the  divine  service  of  a  mother's  duty.  His  was  the  sacrifice,  but 
the  larger  share  of  the  credit  and  reward  belongs  to  her. 


SERGT.   JONATHAN  M.  TASKER. 

This  brave  old  color  sergeant,  then  stalwart  and  sturdy,  was  born  in  Barnstead,  Novem 
ber  19,  1831,  and  is  the  son  of  Ira  and  Lydia  S.  (Edgerly)  Tasker. 

Married  Betsey  M.,  daughter  of  Arthur  N.  Bickford,  of  the  same  town,  October  24, 
1852,  and  their  only  child's  name  is  Frank.  His  wife's  brother,  Arthur  L.,  was  a  member 
of  the  same  company. 

He  carried  the  national  flag  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  f 
and  was  so  severely  wounded  in  the  last  battle  named,  by  a  musket  ball  penetrating  his 
right  thigh  and  inflicting  a  dangerous  wound,  as  to  unfit  him  for  any  further  service  in  the 
army.  He  rejoined  the  regiment  while  at  Point  Lookout,  Md. 

Solid  in  mind,  as  well  as  body,  now  weighing  about  350  pounds,  he  has  represented 
his  native  town  in  the  general  court,  and  has  held  several  town  offices,  being  moderator  for 
several  years  in  succession,  and  could  call  every  man  in  town  by  name  at  sight.  Worked 
at  his  trade,  shoemaking,  most  of  the  time  since  boyhood.  Moved  to  Lynn,  Mass.,  about 
twenty  years  ago,  where  he  still  resides,  respected  by  all  who  know  him  for  his  sterling 
qualities  of  head  and  heart.  He  died  since  the  above  was  written,  May  24,  1897. 
*  See  page  411.  t  See  History  of  Colors,  page  374. 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


537 


n.  B.  r>.  <5— 6. 

SERGT.  JOSEPH  F.  STOCKBKIDGE. 


H.  n.  i).  6-0. 

WIM.IAM    SXVEATT 


B.   B.    D.   6— O. 
SERGT.  JONATHAN    M.   TASKER. 


538  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

JOHN   WATSON. 

Here  we  show  the  reader  a  rather  poor  picture  of  a  very  good  soldier,  and  in  writing 
this  we  do  not  use  the  adverb  in  any  ambiguous  or  doubtful  sense,  for  he  was  good  both  in 
will  and  ability,  to  meet  most  any  "reb"  single  or  double  handed. 

Son  of  Joseph  and  Alary  (Spencer)  Watson,  and  born  in  Alton,  May  23,  1825,  and  a 
brother  of  Jonas  (see  roster).  Married  before  the  war  to  Abby  A.,  daughter  of  Simon 
Foss,  of  Alton,  who  was  a  veteran  of  1812.  Children,  Martha  J.,  Abbie  A.,  John  D.,  and 
Silvia  A. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,Gettysburg,  and  Wapping  Heights.  At 
Point  Lookout  he  was  detailed  as  company  cook,  and  acted  as  such  most  of  the  time  to  the 
end.  He  was  constantly  at  his  post  of  duty,  never  being  excused  therefrom  by  the  sur 
geon  but  once,  and  then  for  only  two  or  three  days.  Wounded  slightly  at  Chancellorsville, 
where  Horace  Smith  fell  dead  by  his  side,  and  Nickerson  (see  roster),  another  good  soldier, 
shrieked  and  hallooed  frightfully,  as  he  fell,  mortally  wounded  through  the  body.  At 
Chancellorsville  a  bullet  struck  him  directly  between  the  letters  "  U.  S.  "  on  his  belt  plate, 
with  sufficient  force  to  bed  into  and  break  the  plate,  which  saved  his  life. 


WOODBURY   P.   YORK. 

This  rather  eccentric,  but  good  man  and  soldier,  was  born  in  Gilmanton,  July  12,  1828. 
His  parents,  Jonathan  and  Betsey  Yorke,  had  eleven  children,  and  of  the  nine  boys,  five 
were  soldiers  in  the  Union  army ;  John,  in  a  Massachusetts  regiment ;  Daniel  P.,  in  Twelfth 
Maine ;  Albert,  in  a  Vermont  regiment ;  and  Wells  C.  and  Woodbury  P.,  in  Twelfth 
New  Hampshire. 

Married  Lydia  B.,  daughter  of  Ralph  Twombly,  of  Gilmanton,  April  29, 1830.  Children, 
Melissa  J.,  Fanny  J.,  Mary  L.,  Merrill  S.,  Nettie  B.,  Anna  A.,  and  Willie  H.,  of  whom  the 
first,  second,  and  sixth  are  dead. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  also  in  Gettysburg,  where, a 
minie  ball  split  the  butt  of  his  musket,  and  slightly  wounded  him  in  his  leg.  He  was  with 
the  regiment  all  the  time  at  Point  Lookout,  where  he  was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  hospital 
at  Manchester,  and  never  with  it  afterward. 

He  was  one  of  the  independent,  away-by-himself  kind,  who  never  asked  favor  nor  gave, 
for  mere  compliment  sake,  to  please  friend  or  foe,  and  woe  to  the  man  who  tried  to  "  run 
his  beat"  when  on  duty. 


CORP.  OLIVER  H.  P.  YOUXG. 

Son  of  Jonathan  and  Susan  P.  (Pitman)  Young,  and  Barnstead,  March  21,  1824,  ishis 
place  and  date  of  birth.  Emily  Jane,  daughter  of  John  J.  Tuttle,  of  Barnstead,  became  his 
wife,  May  20,  1849  ;  and  their  children  are,  Leander  J.  and  Ursula  S. 

He  carried  a  musket  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  but  was  soon  after  detailed  as 
musician  in  a  brigade  band.  He  was  present  at  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg, ' 
and  Wapping  Heights,  and  was  slightly  wounded  in  neck  at  Gettysburg  while  carrying  offthe 
wounded.  He  enlisted  in  the  hay-field. 

He  was  the  youngest  of  seven  children,  and  the  patriotic  blood  of  two  grandsires,  who 
served  in  the  War  of  1812,  runs  in  his  veins.  A  good  musician,  soldier,  and  man,  should  be 
his  epitaph,  for  though  short  and  simple,  it  is  true,  and  comprehends  all  that  is  needful  to 
his  honor.*  He  is  still  living,  though  in  feeble  health. 

*See  anecdote,  page  41 1. 


Jfew  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


539 


B.    B.    S.   6-O. 
JOHN  WATSON. 


B.    DB.   I..   5 
WOODBURY    P.  YORK. 


B.   S.   S.   5-7. 
CORP.    OLIVER    H.    P.   YOUNG. 


540  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

In  addition  to  the  sketches  of  Lewis  and  Melvin  J.  Jenkins  it  should  have  been  written 
of  the  former  that  he  is  and  has  been  quite  a  prominent  politician,  being  elected  for  two 
sessions  of  the  New  Hampshire  House  of  Representatives  as  door  keeper,  and  was  for  three 
years  sergeant-at-anns. 

He  had  previously  represented  the  town  of  Gilmanton  in  that  body  for  two  years. 

He  is  always  as  ready  to  expouse  the  action  of  his  party  as  he  was  to  defend  and  pro 
tect  his  country  on  the  field. 

Of  Melvin  J.  it  ought  to  be  mentioned  that  he  was,  when  able,  one  of  the  best  sol 
diers  in  his  regiment.  He  stood  ahead  of  all  others  at  some  of  the  regimental,  brigade, 
and  division  competitive  inspections  at  Chapin's  Farm,*  for  which  he  was  several  times 
excused  from  duty  and  given  a  thirty  days'  furlough  home. 

He  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  where  the  gun  of  his  brother,  Everett,  was 
bent  not  "  over  his  shoulder,"  but  as  it  lay  across  his  arm,  throwing  him  several  feet  into 
the  air  (see  sketch). 

After  this  he  (Melvin  J.)  was  sick  for  a  long  time,  not  rejoining  his  regiment  for 
active  service  for  many  months. 

It  is  thought  that  he  participated  in  other  battles,  but  of  this  the  author  is  not  certain. 

*See  page  258  et  seq. 


Neiv  Hampshire  Volunteers.  541 


COMPANY  C. 

This  company  was  raised  mostly  in  Alexandria  and  Bristol,  with  a 
few  from  each  of  the  towns  of  Danbury,  Hebron,  Bridgewater,  Grafton, 
and  New  Hampton. 

The  men  were  enlisted  mainly  by  Blake  Fowler,  James  T.  Smith, 
and  Hosea  C^.  Sargent,  who  were  afterwards  selected  by  the  men  to 
command  them,  ranking  as  above  named. 

The  meeting  for  the  choice  of  the  above  and  subordinate  officers  was 
holden  at  Bristol  village,  and  the  non-commissioned  were  as  follows  : 
Sergeants,  Henrie  A.  Randolph,  James  W.  Saunders,  Frank  Darling, 
Russell  Moore,  and  John  H.  Ingalls ;  corporals,  James  C.  Nelson, 
Thomas  E.  Osgood,  John  W.  Hoyt,  Timothy  Tilton,  Gustavus  Emmons, 
Aaron  Clark,  Samuel  Blaisdell,  and  Howard  Taylor.  After  the  captains 
of  the  regiment  were  all  commissioned,  they  drew  lots  to  decide  their 
order  of  rank,  and  Capt.  Blake  Fowler  thus  became  the  ranking  captain 
of  the  regiment,  and  his  company  consequently  became  the  right  of  the 
regiment  and  were  armed  with  Springfield  rifles  instead  of  the  smooth 
bore  musket  like  all  the  rest  of  the  regiment,  except  Company  F,  as 
hereafter  mentioned. 

Town  and  war  meetings  were  held  as  in  other  companies,  money  and 
men  were  raised  to  answer  the  president's  call,  and  especially  to  raise 
the  Twelfth  Regiment  within  the  time  requested  by  the  governor  as  a 
condition  of  having  its  choice  of  officers,  as  the  reader  has,  we  trust, 
read  earlier  in  this  history. 

This  company  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  and 
became  a  part  of  the  great  army  of  the  loyal  North,  September  5,  1862. 

It  narrowly  escaped  capture  at  Fredericksburg,  as  seen  in  the  history 
of  that  battle,  when  the  regiment  retreated  with  the  whole  army  across 
the  Rappahannock. 


542  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

LUIS  DE  L.  BALLOU 

This  soldier  is  a  descendant  of  Maturin  Ballon,  who  fled  from  France  on  the  revocation 
of  the  Edict  of  Nantes,  and  with  other  French  Protestants  came  to  this  country  and  joined 
Roger  Williams'  colony  in  Rhode  Island.  His  father,  Hosea,  was  a  second  cousin  of  the 
eminent  divine  of  that  name,  and  a  relative  of  President  Garfield's  wife.  His  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Cynthia  P.  Sanborn,  gave  him  birth  at  Bristol,  December  4,  1842, 
he  being  one  of  seven  children. 

Taken  sick  from  exposure  on  the  "  Mud  March,"  he  was  not  again  in  active  service  until 
after  the  Gettysburg  campaign,  rejoining  the  regiment  at  Point  Lookout,  Va.  In  the 
battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Swift  Creek,  and  Drury's  Bluff,  and  severely  wounded  in  the  last 
named,  while  shouting  and  swinging  his  hat.'  Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  in  the 
winter  1864-5,  where  he  served  to  the  end  of  the  war.  He  was  a  good  soldier  ;  and  of  his 
valor  and  patriotism,  it  is  sufficient  to  say  that  when  lying  and  dying,  as  supposed,  on  the 
field,  to  the  question  of  Sergeant  Gordon  about  sending  some  word  to  his  mother,  he  re 
plied  :  "  Tell  her  I  died  in  a  good  cause." 

He  is  a  farmer,  and  is  as  highly  honored  as  his  calling.  The  worst  thing  that 
can  be  said  against  him  is  the  solemn  fact  that  he  has  long  lived  and  will,  it  is  feared,  die 
an  "old  bach." 


CORP.  HENRY   A.  BLAXCHARD. 

Here  is  another  of  the  tall  grenadeers  of  Company  C,  and  there  were  few  as  tall  and 
none  taller  in  the  regiment.  His  father's  given  name  was  Artemus,  and  his  mother's 
maiden  name  was  Cyrena  L.  Buckman.  He  was  orderly  for  General  Whipple  at  Fal- 
mouth  and  Fredericksburg,  Va. 

In  all  battles  and  marches  to  Drury's  Bluff,  where  he  was  severely  wounded  in  left  arm 
above  the  elbow,  having  the  bone  shattered,  by  a  minie  ball,  so  that  several  pieces  came 
out  before  his  wound  healed.  He  was  brave  and  cool  in  battle.  (See  Captain  Saunders's 
sketch.) 

He  lived  in  Charlestown,  Mass.,  and  worked  for  the  Old  Colony  Railroad  for  most  of 
the  time  since  the  war,  being  yard  master  for  several  years. 

Married  in  1871,  to  Mary  Wheeler,  of  Concord ;  died  in  Charlestown,  now  Boston, 
Mass.,  in  189-,  and  buried  in  Plainfield. 

He  is  seen  here  in  the  regalia  of  one  of  the  two  or  three  orders  to  which  he  belonged. 


CAPT.  DANIEL   W.  BOHONON. 

This  namesake  of  a  great  statesman  had  something  far  above  the  average  as  a  distin 
guishing  characteristic  of  his  own  mentality. 

From  early  youth  he  manifested  a  love  for  learning  and  after  he  learned  to  read,  books 
were  his  constant  companions. 

After  his  mother's  death,  at  the  age  of  nine,  he  lived  with  his  sister,  Mrs.  Moses  A. 
Emmons,  of  Bristol,  who  was  both  a  sister  and  mother  to  him  during  the  years  of  his 
minority.  With  her  assistance  and  his  own  earnings,  he  attended  school  for  several  terms 
at  New  Hampton  academy ;  and,  when  he  enlisted,  had  a  much  larger  fund  of  information 
than  possessed  by  many  students  in  college.  Though  unassuming,  his  intellectual  merits 
could  not  long  remain  hidden  ;  and,  without  any  special  love  or  desire  for  military  honors, 
he  was  promoted  (see  roster)  until  he  more  honored  than  he  was  honored  by  a  captain's 
commission. 

As  a  soldier,  his  record  is  equalled  by  few,  being  in  every  battle  of  the  regiment  and 
wounded  by  minie  ball  through  thigh  at  Gettysburg.  When  the  regiment  was  discharged 
he  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  a  company  of  the  Second  New  Hampshire,  and  was 
again  mustered  into  the  service  of  his  country,  serving  as  captain  in  that  regiment  until 
December  19,  lb>65. 

After  the  war  he  was  appointed  a  government  revenue  officer,  at  Richmond,  Va.,  where 
he  continued  to  live  until  his  death. 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


543 


G.    LP.   L.   6-O. 
Ll'IS    DE    I..   BALLOU. 


B.    B.    L.   6-2. 
CORP.    HENRY    A.    BLAXCIIARD. 


Bk.    D.    L.   5-1  I. 
CAPT.   DANIEL    W.    BOHONON. 


544  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

With  new  opportunities  his  natural  thirst  for  knowledge  was  renewed,  and  his  time, 
not  officially  occupied,  was  employed  in  increasing  his  fund  of  information,  preparatory  to 
an  honorable  discharge  of  higher  and  more  responsible  positions  that  he  hoped  to  be  called 
upon  to  fill.  About  this  time  he  had  the  unexpected  pleasure  of  making  quite  an  extended 
trip  through  Europe,  with  little  expense  to  himself,  and  after  his  return  he  gave  a  course 
of  lectures  upon  his  travels,  whereby  he  extended  his  reputation  as  a  scholar  and  increased 
the  esteem  and  admiration  of  his  acquaintances  and  friends,  who  had  but  just  begun  to 
appreciate  his  abilities. 

His  untimely  death  was  greatly  mourned  by  all  who  knew  him,  and  his  memory  will 
long  remain  as  green  in  the  hearts  of  his  surviving  comrades  as  the  evergreen  branches  that 
some  of  them  spread  over  his  grave  in  Oakwood  cemetery,  Richmond,  Va.,  on  their  visit 
there  a  few  years  ago.* 


ALBION   W.  BRA  LEY. 

A  native  of  Danbury,  born  January  25,  1843,  and  the  third  of  seven  children  (two  sons) 
of  William  and  Clarrissa  H.  (Smith)  Braley. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  also  Chaucellorsville,  where  he  was  wounded  by 
minie  ball  in  right  leg  and,  after  being  in  hospital  and  convalescent  camp  for  several 
months,  was  discharged  on  account  of  his  wound  (see  roster). 

Married  September  25,  1864,  to  Rebecca  A.,  daughter  of  John  B.  Annis,  of  Dorchester, 
and  the  widow  of  D.  C.  Washburn,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Fifteenth  New  Hampshire 
Volunteers,  and  died  soon  after  his  discharge.  Fred  B.  is  their  only  child. 

The  picture  represents  this  brave  soldier  as  he  looked  when  he  first  went  into  camp 
at  Concord. 


CHARLES   S.  BROWN. 

Oldest  son  of  Dexter  and  Deborah  (Smith)  Brown,  born  in  Bristol,  January  22,  1825, 
and  died  in  Bristol,  March  8,  1886.  He  had  four  brothers  and  two  sisters. 

In  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg  and  severely  wounded  at  Chancellorsville,  by  reason  of 
which  he  was  disabled  from  active  service  in  the  field  and  transferred  into  the  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  and  which  finally  ended  his  life,  the  bullet  remaining  in  his  body  until 
extracted  after  his  death. 

Two  of  his  brothers  were  in  the  war — John  D.,  in  New  Hampshire  Cavalry,  and 
Squire  S.,  in  the  One  Hundred  Seventy-seventh  Ohio,  the  latter  being  promoted  to  a 
lieutenancy. 

First  Wife,  Orinda  Tilton  ;  children  by  her,  Ellen  F.  (now  wife  of  Hiram  T.  Heathe, 
Company  E)  ;  Frank  E.,  who  was  accidentlv  killed,  and  John  H.,  now  living.  Second  wife, 
Ruth  P.  Simonds,  widow  of  Morrill  Sirnoiuls,  who  died  in  the  service.  A  paper  maker  by 
occupation.  He  fought  for  and  died  for  his  country,  and  was  buried  in  his  native  town. 


CORP.  SAMUEL   BROWN. 

Killed  on  the  field  where  the  nation  had  a  "  new  birth  of  freedom,"  and  struck  down 
while  trying,  as  one  of  the  color  guard,  to  uphold  the  flag,  f  this  soldier's  name  is  an  honor 
even  to  the  ''  roll  of  honor  "  where  it  will  be  found. 

For  parentage  see  sketch  of  his  brother,  Charles  M.  Brown,  Company  D.  Born  May 
17,  1842.  Wounded  in  hip  at  Chancellorsville,  and  in  bowels  at  Gettysburg.  He  died  in 
the  evening  just  after  reaching  the  field  hospital,  and  was  breathing  his  last  when  taken 
out  of  the  ambulance. 

*  See  page  321  t  See  page  125. 


jVezu  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


545 


B.  L.   L.  5-91. 
ALBION    \V.    BRALEY. 


II.   B.   L.   5-7-1. 
CHARLES    S.   BROWX. 


B.   B.    D.      -£. 
CORP.    SAMUEL    BROWN. 


546  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

NATHANIEL   CAYES. 

Was  born  in  Shipton,  Canada,  August  17,  1834,  and  is  the  son  of  Joseph  and  O/cilla 
(Moran)  Cayes. 

From  the  blank  filled  out  by  him  it  seems  he  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg, 
Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  and  the  Siege  of  Petersburg,  but  was  never  wounded.  Was 
with  a  First  New  Jersey  Battery  for  a  while. 

He  was  married  several  years  after  the  war  to  Marcia  A.  Elkins,  of  Andover.  Chil 
dren,  Edward  N.,  Ida  M.,  Emma  M.,  Charlie  W.,  Annie  L.,  Fredie,  Lizzie,  and  Elsie. 


CHARLES   W.  CHENEY. 

Promoted  to  the  roll  of  honor,  on  the  field  of  Chancellorsville,  where  he  gave  his  life 
for  his  country.  He  was  shot  through  the  head  by  a  grape  shot,  evidently,  and  his  brains 
were  scattered  over  Captain  Fowler's  back. 

Son  of  Moses  and  Rebecca  (Colby)  Cheney,  born  in  the  town  of  Bristol,  and  the 
oldest  but  one  of  four  children,  all  boys. 

Married  Abby  Spaulding,  but  left  no  children  to  bear  his  honored  name. 

As  a  schoolmate,  neighbor,  and  friend  he  is  spoken  highly  of  by  his  old  acquaintances, 
and  as  a  soldier  he  was  among  the  foremost,  and  crowning  his  record  with  his  death  in  the 
cause  of  freedom.  History  should  perpetuate  his  name. 


CORP.  AARON   CLARK. 

Son  of  Samuel  and  Betsey  (Rollins)  Clark,  and  born  in  Dorchester,  in  1831. 

Married  September  23,  1855,  to  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  David  C.  Marston,  and  has  five 
children,  viz.,  Emma  A.,  Cynthia  A.,  Hattie  M.,  Sam  S.,  and  Jennie  M.,  all  living. 

Brother  of  George  W.,  of  Company  E.  (see  sketch),  and  also  of  Henry  W.,  who  was  a 
member  of  First  Light  Battery  and  First  Heavy  Artillery,  New  Hampshire  Volunteers, 
re-enlisting  and  serving  nearly  four  years.  This  soldier  was  taken  sick  before  crossing  the 
Potomac,  at  Berlin,  Md.,  and  soon  after  discharged. 

He  is,  and  has  been  for  many  years,  permanently  disabled,  and  almost  entirely  helpless. 
He  attributes  his  long  sickness  and  present  condition  to  a  dose  of  medicine  given  him  in 
the  army.  Though  never  taking  an  active  part  with  his  comrades  in  the  field,  he  has  the 
honor  of  having  his  name  with  them  upon  the  rolls. 


CHARLES   E.  CORLISS. 

Was  the  son  of  Jonathan  and  Unice  G.  (Laken)  Corliss,  who  had  six  children,  three 
boys  and  three  girls.  Another  son,  Horace  B.,  served  faithfully  in  this  company. 

He  \vas  born  in  Alexandria,  July  25,  1844,  and  was  drowned  while  at  hospital  at 
Harper's  Ferry,  Md.,  on  or  about  October  20,  1862,  instead  of  as  erroneously  stated  in  roster. 

He  was,  to  the  contrary,  a  kind,  noble-hearted,  and  patriotic  boy,  and  deserves  all 
praise  and  not  one  wrord  of  censure.  He  said  to  his  mother,  while  trying  to  get  her  con 
sent  to  have  him  enlist :  "  Think,  mother,  what  a  noble  thing  it  would  be,  even  if  I  should 
never  return,  to  die  for  my  country."  His  father  wanted  to  go  in  his  stead,  and  let  him 
stay  at  home,  but  he  would  not  listen  for  a  moment  to  such  a  suggestion. 

Byron  C.  Hill,  of  the  same  company,  says  :  "  He  was  taken  sick  with  fever  at  Berlin 
Md.,  and  was  out  of  his  head  most  of  the  time.  I  watched  with  him  two  or  three  nights 
myself.  One  night  he  went  out  and  never  came  back.  The  next  morning  nothing  could 
be  found  of  him.  He  was  afterward  found  in  the  canal."  This  is  undoubtedly  correct  as 
it  is  substantially  verified  by  Captain  Saunders  and  others  of  the  company.  His  mother 
still  lives  and  deeply  cherishes  his  memory ;  and  for  her  sake,  as  well  as  for  his,  the 
author  is  glad  of  this  privilege  of  doing  him  full  justice. 


Hampshire  Volunteers. 


547 


I).  B.  I).  5-6^. 
NATHANIEL  CAVES. 


B.  B.  L.  5-6. 
CHARLES  \V.  CHENEY. 


B.  B.  F.  5-7. 
COUP.  AAROX  CLARK. 


B.  B.  L.  5-8. 
CHARLES  E.  CORLISS. 


548  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

EDMUND  COPP. 

Among  the  many  who  died  in  camp  at  Falmouth,  Va.,  during  the  winter  and  spring 
of  1862-3,  was  he  whose  straight-forward  look  and  honest  countenance,  as  here  portrayed, 
plainly  bespeaks  the  soldier  and  the  man. 

His  father,  after  whom  he  was  named,  married  Dorothy  Rowan  and  of  the  six  boys 
and  six  girls  born  to  them,  four  of  each  lived  to  grow  up,  and  two  sons  and  two  daughters 
still  survive. 

His  brother,  Dr.  Jason  Copp,  was  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  his  grandfather  Copp  was 
a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  One  of  his  sisters  became  the  wife  of  William  Ladd,  of 
Company  G.  He  married  Cynthia  Ann,  daughter  of  Ira  Sanborn,  of  Meredith,  December  2, 
1858 ;  and  their  only  child,  Willis  Herbert,  now  resides  with  his  mother  in  the  same 
house  where  he  was  born  about  three  years  before  his  father's  enlistment,  and  in  the  same 
town  where  his  father  was  born  on  the  27th  day  of  October,  1834,  and  where  his  ashes  now 
repose. 

He  died  March  4,  1863,  of  fever  brought  on  from  exposure  on  picket  when  sick  and 
unable  to  be  out. 


AMOS   DAMON. 

Though  this  veteran  was  in  his  forty-ninth  year  when  he  enlisted,  yet  he  went  with 
and  came  home  with  the  regiment,  performed  duty  most  if  not  every  day  while  gone,  and 
is  living  to-day,  at  the  age  of  eighty-three,  with  a  fair  prospect  of  enjoying  a  short  journey 
into  the  nineteenth  century. 

Born  in  Maiden,  Mass.,  May  31,  1814.  His  father,  of  the  same  name,  married  Nancy 
Standish,  who  was  a  direct  descendent,  in  the  sixth  generation,  of  Miles  Standish  and 
the  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

He  was  united  in  marriage,  November  25,  1841,  to  Clarissa  Batchelder,  and  his  chil" 
dren  are,  Marinda,  Otis  S.,  Clara,  and  Laura  A.  Two  sons  older  than  Otis  died  in  infancy. 

In  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  and  Cold  Harbor.  Acted  as 
fifer  until  Chancellorsville,  after  which  he  was  employed  most  of  the  time  as  surgeon's 
assistant  on  the  field,  or  as  nurse  and  ward-master  in  hospital,  where  he  proved  to  be  one 
of  the  most  vigilant  and  faithful  in  the  service.  At  Gettysburg  for  three  days  and  nights 
with  scarcely  any  sleep  or  rest,  and  until  no  longer  able  to  stand,  he  assisted  the  surgeons 
at  the  amputation  tables,  where,  to  use  his  own  words,  "limbs  were  piled  up  like  stacks  of 
grain."  His  military  record,  like  his  life,  is  an  honorable  one,  and  without  spot  or  blemish. 


CHARLES   N.  DRAKE. 

This  special  favorite  of  the  daughters  of  Themis,  whose  thread  of  life  they  would  not 
allow  the  rebel  shot  and  shell  to  cut,  though  perforating  his  body  and  shattering  his  limbs 
on  the  field  of  Gettysburg,  was  born  in  Bristol,  September  30,  1839,  and  is  the  oldest  child 
of  Philip  S.  and  Harriet  (Locke)  Drake,  who  had  two  more  sons  and  one  daughter.  The 
family  of  Drakes,  to  which  this  veteran  belongs,  are  of  English  descent,  and  his  more  re 
cent  ancestry  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  New  Hampton. 

His  great-grandfather,  on  his  mother's  side,  Captain  Cutting  Favor,  is  said  to  have 
been  the  first  white  man  that  ever  slept  in  the  town  of  New  Chester,  now  Hill. 

In  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg.  In  the  last  battle,  a  grape  shot 
shattered  his  right  leg,  and  soon  after,  while  lying  on  the  field  between  the  lines,  a  minie 
bullet  passed  through  his  body,  piercing  his  left  lung,  very  near  the  heart.  He  was  carried 
to  the  field  hospital,  some  time  during  the  night,  and  his  leg  amputated  the  next  day  in 
the  afternoon. 

Married  September  9,  1862,  to  Harriet  A.  Rollins,  of  Bristol,  whose  father,  Samuel  II., 
was  a  colonel  in  the  state  militia.  Their  children,  Irena  M.  and  William  R.,  both  died 
young.  Well  might  Dr.  Bliss,  in  charge  of  Camden  hospital  in  Baltimore,  endorse  upon  his 
discharge  the  words :  "  His  record  is  good,"  for  they  but  faintly  express  the  heroism  and 
fortitude  of  this  brave  son  of  Mars. 


Hampshire  Volunteers, 


549 


B.    Bk.    D.    5-IO. 
EDMUXD    COPP. 


B.     B.    D.    5-5^. 
AMOS    DAMON. 


B.    B.    D.   5- 
CHARLES    N.   DRAKE. 


550  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

HARVEY   W.  DREW. 

Of  the  seven  children  of  Asa  and  Sarah  C.  (Wells)  Drew,  all  but  one  of  the  four  boys 
were  volunteers  in  the  Union  army,  enlisting  and  serving  in  the  same  company. 

Harvey  W.,  the  oldest  child,  was  born  in  Bristol,  September  2,  1834,  and  has  been 
twice  married ;  first  to  Elizabeth  L.,  daughter  of  Mitchell  H.  Page,  of  Bristol  (who  had 
five  sons  in  the  army),  by  whom  he  had  Elmer  E.,  Nellie,  Pearley  A.,  and  Dollie ;  and 
second,  to  Ruhama  W.  Alexander,  December  25,  1891. 

In  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Petersburg,  and  Bermuda  Hundred, 
serving  at  Gettysburg  in  the  Fourth  New  Jersey  Battery. 

His  occupation,  most  of  the  time  before  and  after  the  war,  a  blacksmith. 

He  died  in  Alexandria,  August  5,  1895,  and  was  buried  in  Bristol.  He  was  a  good 
soldier  and  respected  citizen. 


IRA   C.  EVANS. 

Jonathan  and  Olive  A.  (Cutting)  Evans  had  four  children  and  one  of  them,  whose  youth 
ful  face  can  be  seen  here,  was  born  in  Hill,  April  16,  1841.  He  entered  the  service  as  a  drum 
mer,  and  was  one  of  the  few  musicians  who  led  the  regiment  at  his  departure  from  and  re 
turn  to  the  city  of  Concord,  where  he  then  and  now  resides.  He  was  present  at  all  the 
battles  and  with  the  regiment  all  the  time,  except  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  when  he  was 
detailed  to  work  as  printer  at  Norfolk,  Va.,  where  he  remained  about  four  months,  having 
worked  at  the  business  in  Concord  before  enlistment  and  ever  since  his  discharge. 

He  was  elected  a  few  years  ago  Public  Printer,  being  then,  as  now,  at  the  head  of  a  large 
printing  establishment,  is  owner  and  editor  of  the  Veterans1  Advocate  which  he  has  pub 
lished  for  many  years,  and  is  one  of  the  most  active  and  best  liked  business  men  of  the 
city.  He  is  engaged,  at  present  writing,  in  printing  the  history  of  this  regiment,  and 
deserves  the  thanks  of  all  its  survivors,  and  especially  of  the  author,  for  the  exercise  of 
much  pains  and  patience  in  his  part  of  work. 

Married  to  Helen  G.,  daughter  of  George  L.  Rowe,  of  Concord,  August  3,  1865,  and 
the  names  of  his  two  children  are  Mabel  F.  and  Ira  L. 


CHARLES   W.  FARNHAM. 

Was  born  July  26,  1841,  and  was  the  only  son  of  Joseph  and  Cyrene  (Wells)  Farn- 
ham,  who  had  four  daughters,  who  are  still  living. 

He  was  in  Fredericksburg,  and  killed  instantly  by  minie  ball  at  Chancellorsville.  Not 
married.  One  of  his  sisters,  Eliza  E.,  married  Daniel  H.  Sanborn,  of  Bristol,  who  was  in 
the  late  war. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  spoken  of  by  his  comrades  and  acquaintances  as  a  good 
soldier  and  a  very  nice  man. 


BVT.  LIEUT.  JOSEPH   P.  FELLOWS 

Was  born  in  Wilmot,  March  13,  1839,  and  is  the  son  of  William  H.  and  Mary  J. 
(Gove)  Fellows,  and  the  husband  of  Adeline  J.  (Kimball)  Fellows,  whom  he  married  De 
cember  7,  1865.  He  was  most  of  the  time  in  the  commissary  and  quartermaster's  depart 
ments,  and  was  fortunate  enough  to  escape  battle. 

His  grandfather  and  great-grandfather,  on  his  mother's  side,  were  in  the  1812   and 
Revolutionary  wars,  respectively.     A  blacksmith  by  trade  and  lives  in  Manchester. 

His  brother,  Henry  A.,  was  one  of  the  best  soldiers  in  the  regiment  (see  roll  of  honor). 
He  fought  heroically  at  Chancellorsville  and  after  his  death  wound  at  Gettysburg,  he 
would  not  accept  of  an  excuse  from  the  surgeons,  but  walked  about  twenty  miles  with  his 
arm  severely  wounded,  and  several  ribs  broken  by  a  shell  in  that  battle.  He  was  a  man  o 
good  habits,  and  his  death  soon  after,  from  the  effects  of  his  wounds,  added  another  to  the 
long  list  of  the  brave  and  noble  dead. 


Xcw  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


551 


B.  B.  L.  5-7- 
HARVEY  W.  DREW. 


B.  B.  L.  5-2. 
IRA  C.  EVANS. 


B.  A.  L.  5-9. 
CHARLES  W.  FARNHAM. 


ii.  B.  D.  5-;i. 

BYT.   LIEUT.  JOSEPH    P.   FELLOWS. 


55 2  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

CORP.  JERE   L.  FLAGG. 

Son  of  Ralph  E.  and  Lucinda  B.  (Bullock)  Flagg,  born  in  Groton,  March  25,  1836, 
and  one  of  ten  children.  One  of  his  two  brothers,  Rodney,  served  in  the  Twenty-second 
Massachusetts  Volunteers,  and  was  wounded  several  times,  dying  from  the  effects  thereof 
in  California,  soon  after  the  war. 

In  all  battles  of  the  regiment,  and  injured  by  being  run  over  by  a  horse  at  Gettysburg. 

Married  July  4,  1860,  to  Louisa  M.  Mann,  whose  maiden  name  was  Edison,  daughter 
of  Austin  Edison,  of  Randolph,  Vt.  (No  children.) 

Farmer  and  carpenter,  and  for  the  last  fifteen  years  a  prominent  member  of  the  fire  de 
partment,  of  Lowell,  Mass.  The  fact  that  he  participated  in  all  the  battles  of  the  regi 
ment,  and  came  home  with  it,  at  the  end  of  the  war,  is  honor  enough  for  any  man  to  be 
proud  of. 

CAPT.  BLAKE  FOWLER. 

This  officer  was  born  in  the  town  of  Sanbornton,  in  1804,  and  was  consequently  fifty-eight 
years  old,  when  he  enlisted  as  a  volunteer  in  Company  C,  and  commissioned  its  captain, 
being  the  oldest  man  in  the  regiment. 

He  was  the  son  of  David  Fowler,  and  was,  for  some  years,  the  mate  of  a  merchant 
vessel  running  between  here  and  the  West  Indies. 

He  was  at  one  time  a  captain  in  the  state  artillery  and  of  the  "  Alexandria  Guards  " 
of  the  old  Thirty-fourth  Regiment  New  Hampshire  Militia. 

He  enlisted  the  greater  part  of  his  company  and  was  chosen  its  first  leader,  and  com 
manded  until  taken  prisoner  near  Warrington,  Va.,  on  the  march  to  Falmouth,  Va.,  where 
he  rejoined  the  regiment  in  the  spring  of  1863. 

He  was  the  father  and  son  of  a  veteran  in  two  wars.      (See  sketch  of  Dr.  Fowler.) 

He  died  at  the  same  house  in  Bristol  where  he  had  lived  for  sixty  years. 


LIEUT.  JOHN   E.  FULLONTON. 

Prof.  John  Fullonton,  I).  D.,  who  was  for  many  years  at  the  head  of  the  New  Hamp 
ton  Literary  and  Biblical  Institute,  is  father  of  this  soldier  ;  and  his  mother,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Elizabeth  M.  Elliott,  gave  him  birth  February  22,  1814.  His  great-great-grandfather 
came  from  England,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Raymond,  and  his  son,  Jeremiah, 
inherited  his  estate  and  married  a  descendent  of  Thomas  Dudley,  colonial  governor  of 
Massachusetts,  and  one  of  the  famous  Dudley  family  of  English  history. 

In  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  and  then  clerk  at  General  Graham's  head- 
quarters,until  commissioned  second  lieutenant,  in  First  United  States  Volunteers,  and  at  once 
selected  by  General  Marston  as  one  of  his  aides-de-camp,  acting  as  such  until  the  close. 

After  the  war,  he  was  for  several  years  clerk  in  the  war  and  interior  departments,  and 
subsequently  acted,  for  a  while,  in  a  similar  capacity  at  a  military  post  in  Arizona.  From 
there  he  wandered  off  upon  a  prospective  tour  to  California,  contracted  a  disease  of  the 
lungs,  from  which  he  died  soon  after  returning  to  his  father's  house  at  Lewiston,  Me. 

June  9,  1873,  he  married  Etta  Mooney,  and  their  only  child,  Robert  D.,  is  still  living. 

Thus,  early  in  life's  march  was  he  halted  by  the  dread  messenger,  and  another  brave, 
kind,  and  generous-hearted  member  of  our  regimental  family  was  ordered  to  report  to  the 
Great  Commander. 

DEARBORN  GRAY. 

Here  is  another  one  of  the  "  old  guard,"  who,  though  without  title  or  rank,  is  one  the 
muse  of  history  delights  to  honor  by  placing  his  name  upon  her  fadeless  record  of  the  brave 
and  faithful  heroes  of  the  Union  army. 

Though  in  humble  circumstances,  and  scarcely  known  outside  of  his  neighborhood,  he 
really  deserves  greater  praise  and  honor  than  many  about  whom  whole  chapters  of  eulogy 
have  been  written,  for  of  him  it  can  truthfully  be  said,  he  was  brave  from  principle  and 
not  pride,  and  true  to  duty  without  favor  or  hope  of  reward. 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


553 


B.    B.    L.   5-8. 
COUP.  JEUE    L.    FLAGG. 


G.   G.    L.   5-7. 
CAPT.    BLAKE    FOWLEK. 


B.    B.    L.   5-8. 
LIEUT.  JOHN    E.   FULLOXTOX. 


554  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Son  of  Sheni  and  Hannah  W.  Gray,  and  born  in  Alexandria,  where  he  now  resides. 
Married  November,  1856,  to  Eleanor,  daughter  of  Asa  Kendall,  of  Hebron,  by  whom  he  has 
had  nine  children,  viz.,  Edgar  A.,  Nellie  M.,  Willie  K.  (deceased),  Carrie  L.,  Tamson  H., 
Jennie  B.,  Minnie  M.,  one  died  in  infancy,  and  Mabel  B. 

In  every  battle  and  skirmish  of  the  regiment,  but  Gettysburg  and  Wapping  Heights, 
where  he  was  disabled  from  being  present  from  wound  received  at  Chancellorsville  ;  also, 
wounded  in  the  battles  of  Drury's  Bluff  and  Cold  Harbor. 

His  brother,  John  A.,  was  a  member  of  Company  I,  Eighth  New  Hampshire  Regi 
ment,  and  died  of  disease  in  the  service,  at  Manchester,  January  26,  1862. 


BVT.  CAPT.  EDWARD   F.  GORDON. 

This  officer,  one  of  the  eleven  children  of  John  C.  and  Sally  (Robinson)  Gordon,  was 
born  in  New  Hampton,  June  14, 1842,  and  the  grandson  of  Josiah  Robinson,  who  fought  in 
the  Revolution. 

He  had  the  advantages  of  the  public  schools  up  to  within  a  period  of  about  five 
months  prior  to  his  enlistment,  this  time  being  spent  in  the  employ  of  the  government  at 
the  United  States  Armory,  at  Springfield,  Mass.  Here,  as  a  young  mechanic,  he  held  a 
lucrative  position,  for  the  reason  that  there  was  then  a  large  demand  for  war  supplies  of  all 
kinds.  But  thinking  more  of  his  country  than  himself,  he  left  his  position  and  enlisted  as 
a  private  for  three  years. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  and  a  wound  received  at 
the  latter,  losing  his  little  finger,  was  the  cause  of  his  not  being  in  Gettysburg,  which  was 
the  only  battle  in  which  he  did  not  participate  with  his  regiment  till  the  close  of  the  war. 

While  disabled  as  above,  he  and  a  comrade  was  put  in  charge  of  a  small  company  of 
furloughed  soldiers,  armed  with  a  brass  cannon,  without  ammunition,  and  quartered  near 
the  state  house,  at  Concord. 

This  war  measure,  adopted  by  the  state  authorities,  provoked  some  criticism,  but  con 
tinued  till  after  the  draft  was  over,  and  all  the  furloughed  soldiers  returned  to  their  several 
regiments. 

In  the  campaign  of  1864,  he  went  through  all  the  battles  without  receiving  a  wound. 

Immediately  following  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  he  was  promoted  to  sergeant-major, 
followed  by  other  commissions  (see  roster).  While  quartered  at  Danville,  Va.,  he  was  ab- 
pointed  post  commissary,  and  had  in  charge  large  quantities  of  government  stores,  from 
which  he  was  required  to  issue  rations,  to  all  hungry  ex-rebels  who  would  take  the  oath  of 
allegiance  to  United  States  government. 

March  28,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Unice  C.,  daughter  of  Elder  John  Hook,  so  well  and 
favorably  known,  of  Concord,  where  he  has  so  long  resided.  Children,  Alice  N.,  John 
(deceased),  and  Edward  A. 

Since  then  he  has  been  engaged,  principally,  in  manufacturing  and  mechanical  pur 
suits.  He  has  invented  and  patented  many  new  and  useful  improvements  in  machinery, 
and  has  designed  various  machines  which  have  been  and  are  being  sold  nearly  all  over 
the  world.  He  has  been  employed,  also,  as  mechanical  engineer,  and  has  recently  brought 
out  some  new  and  valuable  mechanical  appliances. 

He  is  now,  and  has  been  for  some  time,  at  the  head  of  the  mechanical  school,  of  Con 
cord,  a  place  which  he,  both  by  nature  and  experience,  is  so  well  fitted  to  honorably  and 
usefully  fill. 

Fearless,  whether  on  the  sanguinary  field  or  elsewhere,  in  defense  of  the  right,  and  his 
head  and  hand  as  ready,  as  his  heart  is  willing,  to  assist  in  every  good  cause,  may  he 
go  forward  in  the  future,  as  he  has  met  the  demand  upon  him  in  the  past,  in  his  work  of 
aiding  mankind. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


555 


H.   B.    F.   5-0. 
DEARBORN    GRAY. 


B.   B.    L.   5-8. 
BVT.   CAFT.    EDWARD    F.   GORDON. 


: 


Bk.  Bk.   D.    5-1  I . 
WILLIAM    P.   HARI.OW 


556  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

WILLIAM    P.  HARLOW. 

This  noble-hearted  soldier  lived  but  little  more  than  a  month  after  he  enlisted  to  de 
fend  his  country's  flag.  But  little  is  known  of  this  soldier's  history. 

He  was  born  in  Essex,  Mass.,  in  1839,  and  died  of  typhoid  fever,  at  Washington,  D.  C., 
October  16,  1862.  He  was  married  January  1,  18(52,  but  left  no  children. 

A  comrade  says  :  "  He  was  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him." 


MILES   HODGDON. 

Born  in  Sanbornton,  May  8,  1828.  Son  of  Chase  and  Hannah  P.  (George)  Hodgdoib 
and  great-grandson  of  Josiah  George,  who  fought  under  Washington. 

In  ambulance  corps  until  January,  1863,  when  he  was  taken  sick,  and  never  did  any 
duty  in  the  army  afterward. 

Married  first  to  Sarah  B.  Sleeper,  of  Alexandria ;  and  second,  to  the  widow  of  W.  B. 
Welch  (see  sketch)  December  9, 1886,  with  whom  he  is  now  living  in  West  Concord.  His 
children  by  his  first  wife  were  Charles  G.  and  George  S. 

A  farmer  by  occupation,  both  before  and  since  the  war,  and  a  good  citizen  and  neigh 
bor. 


CORP.  MOSES  B.  HOWE. 

Son  of  Lyman  C.  and  Saphronia  (Bartlett)  Howe,  and  born  in  Bradford,  November  16, 
1833.  Two  brothers,  Micah  C.  and  George  L.,  in  the  late  war. 

Married  Susan  E.  Boardinan,  of  Bridgewater,  January  31,  1858.  Children,  Frank, 
Lyman  (died  in  infancy),  Jennie  H.,  and  Elva  E. 

He  was  a  farmer  before  enlistment,  and  a  barber  after  discharge,  until  stricken  down 
by  Bright's  disease  of  which  he  died,  October  16,  1877.  A  full  record  of  this  soldier  is  not 
available. 


CORP.  JOHN   II.  IXGALLS. 

One  of  the  eleven  children,  and  the  youngest  of  the  four  sons  of  Gilman,  Jr.,  and 
Sarah  L.  (Roberts)  Ingalls. 

Born  in  Bristol,  April  16,  1841,  and  died  there  of  chronic  diarrhoea  in  1863,  a  few 
months  after  he  was  discharged  on  account  of  that  disease. 

All  his  brothers  were  in  the  army.  Gustavus  W.  served  in  the  Third  New  Hamp 
shire,  as  a  member  and  leader  of  what  afterward  became  famous  as  the  "Third  Regiment 
Band " ;  Horace  L.,  who  first  enlisted  in  the  First  New  Hampshire,  and  is  said  to  have 
been  the  first  man  to  enlist  in  Grafton  county,  afterwards  served  in  the  Eighth  and 
Eighteenth  until  the  end  of  the  war  ;  and  George  H.,  who  played  in  the  band  with  his  brother 
for  a  year  or  more  in  the  army,  but  could  not  enlist,  as  he  was  anxious  to,  because  of  the 
loss  of  a  leg  before  the  war.  Many  of  the  children  were  natural  musicians,  and  all  were 
patriotic. 


CORP.  HARTWELL   KEATON. 

Son  of  James  and  Jane  (Nowel)  Keaton,  born  in  Charleston,  Me.,  in  1822,  and  a  brother 
of  Robert  Keaton,  who  enlisted  in  the  navy  and  never  returned  or  was  accounted  for. 

He  married,  in  1845,  Fanny  Gould,  and  his  children  by  her  were  George  E.,  who  served 
three  years  in  the  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery,  Charles  H.,  and  Mary  H.  His  second 
wife,  Mary  Fowler,  was  married  to  him  in  July,  I860,  and  his  children  were  Alvah  E. 
and  Frank  F. 


Neiu  Hampshire   Volunteers, 


557 


G.    Bk.    D.   5-8. 
MILES    HODGDOX. 


Bk.    Bk.    D.   5—1  I . 
CORP.   MOSES    B.    HOWE. 


B.   S.   L.   5-9. 
CORP.  JOHN    II.   IXGALLS. 


B.    B.    L.    S-8i. 
CORP.    HARTWEM.    KEATON. 


558  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

In  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Drury's  Bluff,  Cold  Harbor,  and  Capture  of  Rich 
mond.  Hit  and  stunned  by  piece  of  shell  at  Chancellorsville,  after  he  had  given  the  rebels 
sixty  rounds  from  his  cartridge  box  and  when  he  recovered  found  himself  a  prisoner  in 
their  hands,  who  confined  him  in  Libby  and  Belle  Isle  prisons  about  two  months.  A  team 
ster  when  he  enlisted ;  he  was  detailed  as  such  after  his  exchange  and  acted  in  that  capac 
ity  till  the  end  of  the  war. 

"  Good  "  with  a  double  underlining  is  the  capitalized  adjective  that  one  of  his  comrades 
used  to  briefly  and  emphatically  describe  his  qualities  as  a  soldier,  and  he  is  equally  deserv 
ing  as  a  citizen  and  a  man. 


LEVI   B.   LANEY. 

Though  no  title  of  rank  is  attached  to  name,  think  not  that  he  does  not  well  deserve  one, 
nor  that  he  was  not  in  every  way  competent  to  wield  the  sword  as  well  as  use  the  gun. 

One  of  the  seven  children  —  all  boys  but  one  —  of  John  and  Nancy  (Sleeper)  Laney, 
and  was  born  in  Bridgewater,  now  Bristol,  August  16,  1828. 

His  first  wife's  maiden  name  was  Elizabeth  B.  Smith,  and  he  married  Margaret  A., 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Huntington,  of  Weare,  November  3,  1858,  who  died  a  few  years 
ago,  leaving  him  alone  in  the  world,  his  only  child  dying  in  infancy. 

In  all  the  battles  of  the  regiment,  except  Gettysburg,  until  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was 
so  severely  wounded  in  right  shoulder  as  to  disable  him  for  life. 

He  was  also  slightly  wounded  by  musket  ball  in  left  arm  at  Chancellorsville,  where  he 
was  captured  and  held  prisoner  at  Richmond,  Va.,  most  of  the  time  in  Belle  Isle,  for 
twelve  days. 

His  occupations  have  been  teacher,  mechanic,  and  farmer.  Much  could  be  said  to  the 
credit  of  this  man,  both  as  a  soldier  and  citizen,  and  the  public  estimate  of  his  ability  and  in 
tegrity  appears  from  the  fact  that  he  has  been  elected  to  several  town  offices,  and  run  far 
ahead  of  his  party  ticket  for  county  commissioner.  He  has  been  president  of  the  Twelfth 
Regiment  association,  which  shows  that  he  is  appreciated  and  honored  by  his  comrades,  as 
he  has  been  by  his  neighbors  and  friends. 


LIEUT.  JAMES   C.  NELSON. 

Son  of  Rev.  William  and  Dolly  S.  (Elliott)  Nelson,  and  born  in  Plymouth,  November 
24,  1838.  His  father  was  a  captain  in  War  of  1812  and  his  brother  was  in  the  late  war. 

In  battles  of  Eredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville. 

Commissioned  first  lieutenant  in  Thirty-second  United  States  Colored  Troops, 
March  30,  1864  (see  roster),  and  resigned  September  following,  on  account  of  sickness. 

Farmer  and  blacksmith  before  enlistment  and  after  his  discharge,  until  he  decided  to 
expound  the  gospel  of  salvation  to  cold-hearted  sinners,  instead  of  longer  pounding  hot- 
heated  iron  for  a  living,  and  was  ordained  a  Free  Will  Baptist  minister,  at  Whitefield, 
September  4,  1882.  He  has  held  pastorates  at  Gilmanton  and  Woodstock,  where  he  now 
resides. 

Married  to  Margaret  E.  Hook,  some  years  after  the  war,  by  whom  he  has  six  children. 


SERGT.  THOMAS   E.  OSGOOD. 

It  gives  us  pleasure  to  next  introduce  to  the  reader,  the  venerable,  veteran  sergeant  of 
Company  C,  with  his  benign  countenance  and  patriarchal  beard,  which  was  gray  when  he 
enlisted,  and  now  as  white  as  snow.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  survivors  of  the  regiment, 
being  born  at  Hebron,  June  26,  1814. 

The  youngest,  but  one,  of  the  seven  children  (two  sons)  of  Timothy  and  Deborah 
(Pierce)  Osgood,  who  lived  when  Bible  names  and  precepts  were  much  more  common 
than  now. 


IVciv  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


559 


D.    B.   D.   5-6. 
I-EVI    B.    LAXEY. 


B.    Bk.   D.   5-Sf  . 
LIEUT.  JAMES    C.   XELSON. 


DH.   B.   D.  5- 

SERGT.   THOMAS    E.    OSGOOD. 


560  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Swift  Creek,  and  Relay  House. 
Wounded  in  right  arm  by  musket  ball  at  Chancellorsville,  and  in  left  leg  by  piece  of  shell,  at 
Relay  House.  He  was  long  and  dangerously  sick  in  hospital  from  last  wound,  though  all 
resulted  from  a  mere  contusion,  and  never  able  to  return  to  the  regiment  again. 

Married  November  26,  1848,  to  Sylvia  Lovejoy,  of  Piermont,  who  died  December  13, 
1858,  leaving  him  with  five  small  children,  Timothy,  Betsey  J.,  Clara  S.,  Deborah  P.,  and 
Joseph  L.,  all  of  whom  are  still  living.  Of  a  philosophic  turn  of  mind,  with  clear  and  un. 
yielding  convictions  of  duty,  his  influence,  both  by  precept  and  example,  has  always  been 
on  the  right  side  ;*  and,  although  constant  and  consistent  in  his  Christian  work  and  faith, 
he  neither  believes  in  the  election  of  the  good  nor  the  rejection  of  the  wicked,*  but  in  a 
common  brotherhood  for  all.  He  declines  to  believe  in  a  Creator  less  kind  and  forgiving 
than  many  of  his  creatures. 

Since  the  above  was  written  he  has  gone  to  test  the  realities  of  his  faith,  having  peace 
fully  breathed  his  last  at  Bristol,  October  16,  1896,  where  he  had  lived  most  of  the  time 
since  the  war. 

He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  the  line  by  which  he  worked  was  no  straighter  or 
truer  than  that  by  which  he  lived. 


JOHN   F.  PHILLIPS. 

We  here  present  a  picture  of  one  of  the  tall  and  stalwart  men  of  the  regiment,  who  still 
survives  to  welcome,  with  a  strong  grip  and  vigorous  shake,  any  of  his  old  comrades  who 
may  visit  him  at  his  home  in  Alexandria,  where  he  was  born,  June  23,  1842,  being  the  only 
child  of  Alvah  and  Ruth  A.  (Sleeper)  Phillips,  and  bearing  the  same  name  as  his  grand 
father,  who,  according  to  family  tradition,  was  all  through  the  Revolutionary  War. 

He  was  himself  in  three  great  battles  of  the  late  Rebellion,  viz.,  Fredericksburg,  Chan 
cellorsville,  and  Gettysburg ;  and  though  sick  and  excused  from  duty,  after  the  last  named, 
kept  along  with  the  regiment  and  when  asked  by  the  colonel,  while  approaching  the  enemy's 
lines  at  Wapping  Heights,  what  he  expected  to  do  without  a  gun,  at  once  exhibited  his 
good  grit  and  ready  wit  by  promptly  responding :  "  I  can  quickly  get  a  gun  when  I  need 
one."  He  was  wounded  on  left  side  of  forehead,  at  Chancellorsville,  by  minie  ball,  which 
still  leaves  its  mark. 

He  was  married  to  Sarah  A.  Pattee,  of  Alexandria,  July  4,  1859,  and  to  Sarah  A.  Fer- 
rin,  of  Plymouth,  November  30,  1881,  and  of  his  ten  children,  Alvah  B.,  Etta  R.,  Henry  C., 
Arthur  J.,  Mary  F.,  Willie  A.,  Levi  H.,  James  C.,  Lon  B.,  and  Jason  F.  —  all  but  the  last 
by  first  wife  —  only  four  are  now  living. 

This  soldier  is  of  English  descent  and  his  grandfather,  above  mentioned,  was  but  twelve 
years  old  when  he  enlisted.  He  was  sent  home  on  a  sick  furlough  from  Point  Lookout, 
Md.,  when  but  a  mere  skeleton,  and  was  unable  to  walk  or  stand,  and  never  returned. 

Now,  and  for  many  years,  he  has  been  a  store  keeper,  and  one  of  the  leading  men  of 
his  native  town,  though  but  a  green  farmer's  boy  when  he  enlisted.  True  and  reliable,  gen 
erous  and  brave  ;  he  is  sound  to  the  core  and  every  inch  a  man. 


CORP.   EDWARD   V.  PRATT. 

Son  of  Varnum  and  Elizabeth  (Lovejoy)  Pratt,  and  was  born  in  Hebron,  December 
10,  1840,  and  died  while  on  the  march  to  Falmouth,  Va.  (see  roster). 

His  great-grandfather  fought  at  Bunker  Hill,  and  his  grandfather  was  in  the  War  of 
1812.  Tradition  has  it  that  he  was  in  the  ship  with  Paul  Jones.  His  grandfather  Spauld- 
ing,  on  his  mother's  side,  was  killed  at  Bunker  Hill. 

He  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  received  an  academic  education,  and  was  exemplary  in 
his  habits  and  deportment.  Sergeant  Osgood  says :  "  He  inarched  while  sick  without  a 
murmur  of  complaint,  and  died  the  same."  Buried  at  Hebron. 

*  See  pages  151  and  423. 


Xciv  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


B.    Bk.   D.   6-1  \. 
JOHN    F.   PHILLIPS. 


15.    H.    L.   5-!j'.. 
CORP.   EDWARD    V.   PRATT. 


B.   B.    L.   5-8. 
SERGT.    HENRIE    A.   RANDOLPH. 


562  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

SERGT.  HENRIE   A.  RANDOLPH. 

Born  in  Northharnpton,  Eng.,  in  1823.     (Name  of  parents  unknown.) 

His  wife's  name  was  Martha  French,  of  Canterbury,  whom  he  married  before  the  war. 
His  only  child,  a  daughter,  died  several  years  ago. 

In  early  life  he  had  served  in  the  English  army.  After  coining  to  this  country  he 
learned  the  tailor's  trade  and  worked  at  it  for  years  in  Bristol.  One  of  the  first  in  the 
company  to  enlist,  and  having  experience  in  the  ranks,  he  was  selected  as  orderly  sergeant, 
and  did  much  in  drilling  the  company  during  the  first  year. 

He  was  in  Bermuda  Hundred,  Swift  Creek,  Relay  House,  Drury's  Bluff,  Port  Wal- 
thall,  and  perhaps  in  Cold  Harbor.  Naturally  a  good  soldier,  and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that 
more  is  not  known  of  him. 


SAMUEL   C.  ROBINSON. 

As  you  see  him  here,  wanting  only  his  gun  and  equipments,  he  fought  on  three  of  the 
great  battle-fields  of  his  country,  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg. 

Born  in  Sanbornton,  December  8,  1842,  son  of  Leavitt  and  Nancy  (Galley)  Robinson, 
who  had  another  son,  William  M.  (oldest  of  their  six  children),  in  Company  D,  of  the  same 
regiment,  who  also  did  good  service,  being  wounded  at  Chancellorsville.  He,  William  M., 
did  not  fall  back,  but  kept  on  firing  at  the  advancing  rebels  until  they  came  up  and  took 
him  prisoner. 

Great-grandfather,  Levi,  was  in  the  war  of  the  American  Independence. 

Married  December  3,  1868,  to  Myra  W.  Taylor. 

A  whole  chapter  would  be  needed  to  do  full  justice  to  every  soldier,  wrhose  record  is  as 
good  as  either  this  soldier  or  his  brother.  He  was  wounded  severely  at  Gettysburg,  which 
should  be  greater  honor  than  the  stars  of  a  general,  who  never  breathed  the  smoke  of  battle. 


CAPT.  J.  W.  SAUNDERS. 

Read,  in  the  roster,  from  this  history  and  this  sketch,  and  you  will  know,  even  then, 
but  little  of  what  could  and  should  be  said,  in  common  with  many  others,  of  the  family 
history  and  military  career  of  this  brave  and  competent  officer. 

He  is  of  English  descent,  and  his  early  ancestors  in  this  State  settled  in  Rye.  The 
parents  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Joel  and  Phebe  (Scott)  Saunders,  had  two  sons  and 
two  daughters,  James  W.  being  the  second  son,  and  having  only  one  sister  living. 

Born  in  Strafford  in  1833.  Married,  November  7,  1857,  to  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  John 
Ackerman,  of  Alexandria.  Children,  Alice,  Horace  W.,  and  Ida  M. 

He  says  :  "  I  was  never  in  hospital  a  day,  only  a  few  days  excused  from  duty,  and  in 
every  thing  the  regiment  was."  Brief  words  and  few  and  "  most  like  a  soldier  "  spoken,  but 
they  compose  a  whole  chapter  of  fortitude,  heroism,  and  battle-field  experience. 

Occupation,  a  shoemaker  before  enlistment,  a  fighter  during  the  war,  and  a  farmer 
and  lumberman  since.  He  commanded  a  company  all  the  time  after  Point  Lookout  to  the 
end  of  the  war,  and  he  never  hesitated  to  lead  his  men  into  the  thickest  of  the  fight. 

He  speaks  of  Bohonon,  Drake,  and  himself,  as  the  only  three  left  in  his  company  after 
Chancellorsville,  where  Gustavus  Emmons  was  the  first  one  of  Company  C  to  be  killed. 
He  also  refers  to  Blanchard's  (H.  A.)  coolness  and^  courage  under  fire,  and  of  his  being  one 
of  the  first  to  help  rescue  the  guns  at  Drury's  Bluff,*  where  Saunders  himself  took  so 
prominent  a  part.  He  is  highly  respected,  but  cannot  be  fully  appreciated  by  his  townsmen. 


CAPT.  JAMES   T.  SMITH. 

Son  of  James  and  Rachel  (Hoyt)  Smith.  Born  at  Danbury,  in  1819.  He  received  a 
liberal  education  and  before  the  war  was  a  teacher  of  penmanship,  auctioneer,  and  farmer. 
He  enlisted  several  in  Company  C,  and  was  elected  and  commissioned  first  lieutenant  in 
the  organization  of  that  company. 

*  See  page  183. 


JVeiv  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


563 


Bk.    B.   L.    5-1  I. 
SAMUEL    C.    ROBINSON. 


B.   B.    L.   5-8. 
CAPT.  J.   \V.   SAUNDEKS. 


DG.    Bk.    D.   6-O. 
CAPT.  JAMES    T.   SMITH. 


564  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

He  married  Ruth  R.  Eastman,  of  Newbury,  Vt.,  February  12,  1868,  after  living  a  sin 
gle  life  for  nearly  fifty  years.  He  died  at  Danbury,  July  11,  1876,  leaving  her  with  two 
small  children,  Emma  and  Estelle. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg. 

After  his  death,  his  widow  published  a  pamphlet  criticising  severely  the  action  of  the 
government  concerning  his  pension,  and  in  which  she  ably  defended  his  name  and  memory. 


SYLVESTER   SWETT. 

The  youngest  son  and  one  of  the  five  children  of  Isaac  and  Nancy  (Brown)  Swett, 
who  was  born  in  Bristol,  April  29,  1831.  Both  his  brothers  in  the  war,  Roswell  D.  (see 
sketch),  and  Benjamin,  in  the  Fifteenth  New  Hampshire. 

Married  before  enlistment,  to  Ermina  E.,  daughter  of  John  Jaqnith,  of  Bristol,  who 
died  while  in  the  army,  leaving  him  one  daughter,  Mynetta  J.,  but  two  years  of  age. 

In  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  also  in  Gettysburg,  where  his  haversack  and 
canteen  were  shot  from  his  side,  and  he  was  wounded  by  minie  ball  in  right  ankle. 

Married  September  24,  1865,  to  Marcia  A.,  daughter  of  Benjamin  H.  Smith,  of  Rum- 
ney,  who  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  one  drowned  in  Newfound  lake.  His  children  by 
this  wife  are,  George  F.,  Ellener  J.,  Andrew  F.,  Alvira  M.,  and  Wesley  S. 

He  has  the  bullet  that  was  taken  from  his  ankle  forty-eight  hours  after  he  was  wounded, 
and  it  was  five  months  before  he  could  step,  the  surgeons  insisting  at  first  that  he  must  lose 
his  foot  or  his  life,  but  he  fought  the  doctors  and  saved  both. 

His  mother  lived  to  be  ninety-six  years,  and  may  his  years  be  lengthened  to  long 
enjoy  the  blessings  for  which  he  fought.  His  business  has  been  a  farmer  and  railroad 
employee,  and  his  residence,  Plymouth. 


ROSWELL   D.  SWETT. 

This  good  soldier,  a  brother  of  the  last  (see  sketch),  was  thirty-eight  years  old  when 
he  enlisted,  yet  from  best  information  he  was  never  married. 

Died,  of  chronic  diarrhoea,  on  his  way  home  on  sick  furlough.     (See  roster.) 

He  fought  bravely  on  the  fields  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  and 
Wapping  Heights.  Had  five  bullets  through  his  clothes  at  Chancellorsville,  where  he  fought 
as  coolly  and  deliberately  as  if  following  his  plow  at  home. 

Stout,  rugged,  willing,  and  brave,  he  deserved  and  gained  the  name  given  him  above,  a 
"  good  soldier." 


SERGT.  HOWARD  TAYLOR. 

Of  all  the  youthful  heroes  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment,  and  their  list  is  effulgent  with 
glory,  no  one,  everything  considered,  has  a  better  right  to  stand  at  the  head  than  he  whose 
boyish  but  intelligent  face  many  will  gaze  upon  with  deep  interest. 

Certain  it  is  that  of  no  other  member  of  the  regiment  can  such  an  honorable  and  pat 
riotic  family  record  be  written,  leaving  his  own  to  speak  for  itself.  The  title  of  the  "Little 
Corporal,"  given  him  by  common  consent  from  the  first,  being  mustered  in  as  such,  was 
most  befittingly  bestowed,  for  he  was  two  or  three  inches  shorter  than  any  other  soldier  of 
the  regiment,*  and  soon  proved  himself  worthy  of  Napoleonic  honors. 

He  was  the  son  of  Jonathan  M.  Taylor,  who  is  a*  remarkably  active  and  intelligent 
man  for  his  years  (over  eighty),  and  is  the  father  of  eight  children,  by  half  as  many 
wives,  being  married  four  times.  He  has  been  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Boston  and 
New  York,  for  over  sixty  years.  His  third  wife,  Harriet  A.,  daughter  of  Oliver  Gragg,  of 
Boston,  was  married  April  12,  1842,  and  became  the  mother  of  Howard,  in  the  city  of  New 

*  See  page  393. 


l\"ezv  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


565 


B.   B.   L.   5~. 
SYLVESTER  S\VETT 


R.   LB.   L.  5~I 
ROSWELL    D.     SWETT. 


H.    B.   F.   5-4. 
SERCJT.    HOWARD    TAYLOR. 


566  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

York,  April  7,  1845.  His  two  brothers  died  young,  and  an  only  sister,  Harriet  A.  Bond, 
lives  in  Detroit,  Mich.  His  half-brother,  Henry  M.  Taylor,  served  through  the  war  in  the 
Third  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  rising  from  private  to  captain,  and  being  in  over  twenty  battles. 

His  great-grandmother  was  the  heroine  of  "  Mary  Butler's  Ride,"  *  and  a  cousin  of 
General  Butler's  father ;  and  her  father  was  a  cousin  to  Mary  Eastman,  the  mother  of 
Daniel  Webster. 

His  great-grandfather,  Ebenezer  Eastman,  of  Gilmanton,  commanded  a  company  of 
"  minute  men  "  in  Stark's  New  Hampshire  regiment,  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill. 

His  great-grandfather,  Jonathan  Taylor,  had  two  sons,  John  and  Jonathan,  in  the  Rev 
olution,  both  of  whom  were  at  West  Point  at  the  time  of  Arnold's  treachery,  and  the  gun 
of  John,  who  was  on  guard,  was  found  to  contain  a  sand  cartridge. 

Their  father,  great-grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  kept  at  home  for 
a  while  by  the  wants  of  his  young  family,  but  when  volunteers  were  called  for  to  beat  back 
the  enemy,  he  joined  the  "  Green  Mountain  boys  "  and  fought  at  Bennington.  So  it  will 
be  seen  that  one  of  Howard's  great-grandfathers  was  with  Stark  at  Bunker  Hill,  and  the 
other  was  with  Stark  at  Bennington. 

Chase  Taylor,  a  brother  of  Jonathan,  was  a  captain  under  General  St.  Clair,  at  Ticon- 
deroga,  and  was  severely  wounded  at  Bennington,  where  he  commanded  the  regiment  in 
which  his  brother,  and  two  of  his  sons,  William  and  Chase,  Jr.,  fought ;  his  other  son, 
Nathan,  who  was  at  that  time  lieutenant  in  Captain  Whitcomb's  company  of  Independ 
ent  Rangers,  and  who  was  sent  out  with  twelve  men  to  reconnoitre,  the  day  before  the 
battle,  was  ambushed  by  a  party  of  sixty  to  one  hundred  Indians,  and  three  of  his  men 
mortally  wounded.  Lieutenant  Taylor  was  shot  through  the  shoulder,  but  saved  himself 
by  concealment  in  the  top  of  a  hemlock  tree  that  had  been  felled  a  short  time  before,  f 

Thus  did  the  great-grandfather  of  this  "  Little  Corporal,  "  his  brother,  two  sons,  and 
three  nephews  fight,  and  two  of  them  shed  their  blood,  for  our  independence  at  Benning 
ton. 

In  every  march  and  fight  of  the  regiment,  except  following  of  the  rebel  retreat  from 
Gettysburg,  where  he  was  wounded  in  index  finger  of  right  hand.  But  the  hospital  had  no 
charms  for  one  of  his  blood,  and  so  instead  of  waiting  for  a  discharge,  that  he  might  have 
had,  he  ran  away  and  rejoined  his  regiment,  at  Point  Lookout,  being  absent  only  about 
seven  weeks. 

Wounded  also  slightly  in  left  hand  at  Chancellorsville,  and  by  minie  ball  in  head  at 
Bermuda  Plundred.  This  last  wound,  though  he  did  not  allow  it  to  unfit  him  for  duty  but 
a  day  or  two  at  a  time,  was  the  cause  of  his  insanity  and  death,  more  than  twenty-five 
years  afterward  (see  roster).  No  words  of  eulogy,  though  never  more  deserving,  can  add 
anything  to  a  record  like  his. 


BVT.  LIEUT.  TIMOTHY   TILTON. 

Few  have  made  for  themselves  a  war  record  so  good  and  honorable  as  this  brave  and  true- 
hearted  soldier,  who  was  born  in  Fremont,  May  27,  1836.  He  was  one  of  the  eleven  chil 
dren  (seven  boys)  of  Jonathan  and  P^lizabeth  (Foster)  Tilton.  Another  son,  Jonathan,  Jr., 
served  in  the  First  New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 

His  grandfather,  John  Foster,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Revolution  and  the  old  gun-barrel 
that  he  carried  is  still  preserved.  Lieutenant  Tilton  followed  and  defended  the  colors  into 
and  through  every  battle  of  the  regiment,  yet  never  wounded,  except  slightly  by  a  sliver 
from  a  tree  at  Cold  Harbor.  Married  January  2,  1869,  to  Martha  M.  Jewett,  of  Bristol. 
No  children. 

He  was  a  mason  by  trade,  and  fought  the  rebels  as  hard  as  he  had  learned  to  lay  his 
brick  firm  and  solid  ;  and  when  he  turned  his  back  to  the  foe,  it  was  time  for  all  left  alive 
to  do  the  same,  or  be  taken  prisoners.  Pie  seemed,  like  Marshal  Ney,  to  be  well  nigh  bul 
let-proof,  and  as  brave  by  nature  as  he  seemed  to  be  by  fate  secure.  He  was  one  of  the 
bravest  and  best  in  the  regiment. 

*See  Scribner's  Magazine  for  April,  1875.  t  See  Runnel's  History  of  Sanbornton. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


567 


B.   B.   L.   5-7f 
BVT.   LIEUT.   TIMOTHY    TILTON. 


B.   DB.   D.   6-l|. 
SCIIUYI.EK    WALKEH. 


H.    Bk.    D.   5— O£. 
SERGT.   AI.OXZO    H.    WORTHLEY. 


568  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

SCHUYLER  WALKER. 

This  soldier,  the  youngest  of  the  two  children  of  Osia  and  Judith  (Patten)  Walker, 
was  born  in  Alexandria,  March  19,  1843,  and  died  in  Chico,  Butte  county,  Cal.,  May  28, 
1876,  of  consumption  ;  his  two  children,  Alice  M.  and  Lulu  M.,  dying  a  few  years  later.  He 
moved  from  New  Hampshire,  with  his  family,  in  1869.  Ellen  A.,  daughter  of  Erastus 
Bean,  of  Penacook,  who  married  him,  July  18,  1867,  is  now  the  wife  of  Carlos  Ordway,  of 
Salisbury,  and  her  sister  is  the  wife  of  Samuel  A.  Blaisdell,  of  Company  C. 

Wounded  in  arm  at  Chancellorsville,  and  never  did  service  writh  the  regiment  after 
ward  ;  also  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg. 

He  is  remembered  by  his  old  neighbors  and  acquaintances,  as  a  good  man,  and  by  all 
his  comrades  as  a  good  soldier.  He  was  one  of  the  belated  pickets  at  Fredericksburg.* 
A  carpenter  by  trade.  The  picture  is  good  of  him,  as  he  looked  about  a  year  after  his  dis 
charge. 


SERGT.    ALONZO    H.  WORTHLEY. 

This  true  scion  of  Revolutionary  stock  is  the  son  of  Moses  and  Cynthia  (Marshall) 
Worthley,  and  was  born  in  Weare,  April  14,  1839.  His  great-grandfather  fought  for  our 
independence  under  Washington,  and  his  grandfather  was  one  of  the  Home  Guards,  who 
were  called  out  at  the  battle  of  Plattsburg. 

In  all  the  battles  of  the  regiment,  except  Gettysburg  and  Wapping  Heights,  when  he 
was  suffering  from  severe  wound  in  right  thigh  by  minie  ball  at  Chancellorsville.  With 
exception  of  this,  and  two  or  three  weeks' sickness,  in  front  of  Petersburg,  he  was  with  the 
colors  from  first  to  last. 

Married  Ruth  E.  Perkins,  of  Hebron,  December  9,  1865,  by  whom  he  had  one  child, 
Alonzo  H. 

A  much  longer  sketch  would  be  written  of  this  soldier  if  the  author  had  more  facts 
from  which  to  write,  for  he  was  and  is  one  of  the  best  of  soldiers  and  men. 

*  See  page  49,  et  seq. 


Hampshire   Volunteers.  569 


COMPANY  D. 

At  a  town  meeting  holden  at  Sanbornton  Square,  August  9,  1862, 
"  to  see  what  action  the  town  will  take  in  regard  to  furnishing  her 
quota  of  the  volunteers  called  for  by  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
and  to  see  how  and  in  what  manner  the  town  will  vote  to  raise  such  sums  of 
money  necessary  to  carry  out  this  purpose,"  bounties  of  three  hundred 
and  two  hundred  dollars  were  voted  to  three  years  and  nine  months  men 
respectively. 

At  this  meeting  one  from  each  district  was  appointed  by  the  chair  to 
take  in  consideration  the  subject  embraced  in  the  warrant  and  reported  as 
follows:  "That  each  and  every  inhabitant  of  the  town  be  constituted  a 
committee  to  put  forth  every  effort  in  its  power  to  secure  the  number  of 
volunteers  necessary  to  fill  the  quota  of  the  town." 

On  the  fourteenth  day  of  August  a  war  meeting  was  holden  at  San 
bornton,  at  which  Col.  Thomas  Whipple,  of  Laconia,  was  present  and 
spoke,  and  the  work  of  raising  the  Twelfth  Regiment  had  commenced  in 
earnest.*  After  Whipple's  speech,  Jonathan  M.  Taylor,  a  patriotic  citi 
zen  of  that  town  offered  ten  dollars  to  the  first  man  who  would  enlist. 
Charles  W.  Drown  (see  roster)  stepped  forward,  took  the  money  and 
signed  his  name  to  the  papers  amid  the  cheers  of  the  audience. 

His  example  was  immediately  followed  by  others  present  until  forty- 
nine  had  enlisted,  when  Warren  Smith,  one  of  the  most  active  and  promi 
nent  men  in  town,  stepped  up  to  the  desk  and  said  :  "  Here  is  five  dollars 
from  my  own  pocket  for  the  man  who  makes  the  number  of  volunteers  at 
this  meeting  an  even  fifty."  Frederick  F.  Osgood,  of  Sanbornton,  im 
mediately  stepped  forward,  took  the  five  dollars,  and  added  his  name  to 
the  roll.  A  few  days  later  the  company  met  at  Piper's  Mills  in  front  of 
the  old  chapel  and  elected  the  following  officers  :  For  captain,  J.  Ware 
Butterfield;  for  lieutenants,  David  E.  Everett  and  Bradbury  M.  Merrill. 

J 

The  non-commissioned  officers  were,  George  W.  Hall,  Alonzo  W.  Jewett, 
Warren  S.  Cooper,  Luther  H.  Parker,  and  Samuel  B.  Swain  as  ser 
geants  ;  and  Frank  Ferrin,  Leavitt  S.  Roberts,  Richard  W.  Musgrove, 
John  M.  Bickford,  Charles  G.  Smith,  Prescott  Y.  Howland,  William  H. 
Straw,  and  William  H.  Sanborn  as  corporals  ;  George  C.  Currier  and 
Robert  Martin  were  selected  as  musicians.  This  company  was  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service,  September  5,  1862. 

*See  pages  7  and  8. 


570  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

ELBRIDGE   A.  BLANCHARD. 

This  resolute  and  sanguine  son  of  Mars  is  the  only  child  of  Seth  M.  and  Susan  W. 
(Smith)  Blanchard,  and  was  born  in  Groton,  November  5,  1844.  His  father  was  a  farmer 
and  a  captain  in  the  state  militia ;  and  his  grandfather  was  a  soldier  of  1812. 

He  says:  "In  all  of  the  battles  except  Gettysburg,  and  never  excused  from  duty  be 
cause  of  sickness."  "  One  of  the  best "  is  the  recommend  given  him  by  one  of  his  tent- 
mates,  who  is  not  inclined  to  praise  the  undeserving.  Of  an  independent,  outspoken 
nature  he  sometimes  excited  official  resentment,  but  seldom  or  never  without  cause. 

He  was  not  afraid  to  use  his  tongue  or  his  gun,  when  occasion  required,  and  he  and  his 
musket  were  inseparable  companions  unto  the  end. 

August  7,  1869,  married  Sarah  E.  Whittimore,  of  Lowell,  Mass.,  by  whom  he  has  had 
four  children,  Leonard  W.,  Frank  A.,  Rolf  E.,  and  Susan  E.  —  all  living,  except  the 
second. 


BVT.  LIEUT.  CHARLES   M.  BROWN. 

Here  you  see  him  as  he  looked  nearly  twenty  years  after  the  war.  One  of  the  seven 
children — four  boys  —  of  Jonathan  and  Mary  E.  McCauley  ;  born  in  Bow,  May  16,  1833. 

He  was  wounded  at  Chancellorsville,  and  taken  prisoner ;  on  parole  until  exchange  in 
September  following,  when  he  rejoined  regiment  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.  Also  in  battles  of 
Swift  Creek  (where  he  was  promoted  to  first  sergeant  on  the  field),  Relay  House,  Drury's 
Bluff,  and  Capture  of  Richmond. 

His  grandfather,  Alexander  McCauley,  was  a  soldier  of  1812,  and  of  his  brothers, 
Samuel  and  Caleb  were  in  companies  C  and  F,  respectively. 

Married  Lucinda  H.,  daughter  of  Kimball  Corliss,  of  Haverhill,  December  7,  1852. 
Children,  Charles  L.,  Ada  L.,  Maud  L.,  and  Edgar  D. 

Of  the  sturdy  and  steadfast  qualities  of  this  member  of  the  regiment,  it  may  be  said 
that  he  has  been  the  true  and  tried  employee  of  the  same  firm  in  Concord  for  nearly  thirty- 
five  years,  working  for  them  before  the  war,  and  all  the  time  since.  Soldier  or  citizen,  he 
was  and  is  always  at  the  post  of  duty,  and  none  is  more  favorably  known  in  the  city  of 
Concord,  where  he  resides,  than  he. 


SERGT.    HENRY   C.  BUZZ  ELL. 

Life's  voyage,  so  safely  yet  so  sadly  ended,  was  entered  upon  by  this  soldier,  August 
15,  1842,  under  the  paternal  pilotage  of  Elias  S.  and  Betsey  (Runnells)  Bu/zell,  who  then 
resided  in  Northfield. 

His  early  life  was  uneventful,  but  his  native  traits  of  character  were  manifested  by  his 
kind,  unselfish  acts,  even  when  a  little  boy.  No  survivor  of  Company  D  will  speak  aught 
but  words  of  praise  of  this  brave  and  kind  hearted  soldier,  and  those  of  them  who  knew  him 
best  will  never  cease  to  cherish  his  memory  while  theirs  is  permitted  to  exist.  Look  at  his 
picture  and  you  will  see  that  he  had  a  head  to  think  as  well  as  a  heart  to  feel ;  had  he  lived 
he  would  doubtless  gained  civic  honors  to  crown  his  lofty  brow. 

He  was  one  of  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  still  living.  Both  his  brothers,  Charles 
W.  and  James  M.,  were  in  the  war,  and  served  in  the  Fifteenth  New  Hampshire  Volun 
teers  and  a  Vermont  regiment  respectively ;  and  of  his  three  sisters,  who  lived  to  grow  up, 
one  married  George  Dawson,  of  the  Fifteenth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers  (since  drowned 
in  Missouri  river  by  caving  in  of  the  bank),  and  another  is  the  wife  of  Sylvester  D.  Hunt, 
who  was  also  a  member  of  the  Fifteenth  Regiment. 

In  every  battle  until  mortally  wounded  at  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was  struck  by 
pieces  of  shell  in  shoulder  and  thigh,  and  died  of  secondary  hemorrhage,  June  29,  1864. 

He  proved  himself  worthy  the  name  of  the  great  statesman  that  was  given  him,  for  he 
fought  for  the  same  great  cause,  for  which  Clay  so  eloquently  plead  —  the  peace  and  pros 
perity  of  the  whole  country. 


Ne^v  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


B.    B.   L.   5~7f. 
ELBRIDGE    A.    BLANCHARD. 


Bk.    Bk.    D.   6-=;. 
BVT.    LIEUT.   CHARLES    M.    BROWN. 


0.   L.    L.   5-8. 
SERGT.    HENRY    C.    BUZZELL. 


572  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

JAMES   T.  GALLEY. 

This  was  one  of  the  four  children  of  Richard,  Jr.,  and  Martha  C.  (Clark)  Calley,  and 
was  born  in  Sanbornton,  November  1,  1844. 

He  was  brought  up  a  fanner's  boy,  receiving  the  usual  common  school  education,  and 
although  an  only  son  his  father  consented  that  he  should  enlist,  as  he  greatly  desired,  in 
the  cause  of  his  country. 

He  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  where  he  contracted  the  disease  of  which  he 
died.  His  father  went  out  after  his  son's  dead  body  to  give  it  a  Christian  burial  in  his 
native  soil.  He  was  a  good  and  faithful  soldier. 


CORP.  ERWIX   G.  CATE. 

This  sketch  is  of  the  only  son  of  the  four  children  of  Albert  J.  and  Sally  E.  (Calley) 
Gate,  and  was  born  in  Franklin,  March  14,  1844. 

He  married  Harriet,  daughter  of  Alexander  Whitney,  of  New  London,  October  1:3, 
1807,  and  has  one  child. 

This  soldier  ranks  high  in  merit  though  he  wore  only  a  corporal's  stripes.  He  was  in 
all  engagements  of  the  regiment  but  Gettysburg,  Wapping  Heights,  and  part  of  Siege  of 
Petersburg,  where  he  was  disabled  from  duty  by  wounds  in  left  thigh  at  Chancellorsville, 
and  in  head  at  Cold  Harbor,  reporting  for  duty  again  in  just  four  and  two  months  to  a 
day  from  date  of  his  respective  wounds.  He  was  also  wounded  in  neck  and  left  arm  while 
crossing  a  "  death  stretch"  on  his  way  with  others  to  strengthen  our  picket  lines  at  Drury's 
Bluff,  and  accidentally  injured  badly  at  Bermuda  Hundred;  yet  he  still  lives  to  extend  a 
smiling  welcome  to  all  his  old  comrades  who  may  visit  him.  A  solemn  incident  is  related 
of  him  elsewhere.  *  Several  of  his  ancestors  were  in  the  French  and  Indian  war.  His 
great-grandfathers  were  both  in  the  Revolution,  his  grandfather  was  a  soldier  of  1812,  and 
his  own  record  shows  that  their  blood  still  flows  through  at  least  one  brave  and  noble 
heart.  Standing  nearly  six  feet  and  two  inches  high  in  his  stockings,  with  a  kind  heart, 
jovial  disposition,  and  plain  but  honest  countenance,  he  was  by  some  not  inaptly  nick 
named  "  Old  Abe." 


SILAS   G.  CHASE. 

"  True  to  his  trust  "  can  be  said  of  this  soldier,  for  his  record  proves  it.  Though,  like 
many  others  he  never  fired  a  gun  on  the  battle-field,  yet  he  rendered  valuable  service  in  fill 
ing  a  place  that  he  seemed  especially  fitted  for. 

His  eyes  first  opened  to  the  light  in  Milbury,  Mass.,  August  7,  1822,  being  the  oldest 
of  the  three  children  (one  daughter)  of  Palmer  G.  and  Sally  (Burbank)  Chase. 

Married  Lydia  S.  Woodman,  June  19,  1845,  whom  he  left  with  six  small  children,  one 
a  babe  in  her  arms  when  he  went  to  wrar.  He  was  the  first  to  enlist  in  the  regiment  from 
the  town  of  Hebron.  He  seemed  born  to  doing  good  instead  of  daring  danger,  and  was 
therefore  soon  selected  for  a  regimental  nurse,  but  he  was  never  troubled  with  "shell  sick 
ness,"  not  even  in  front  of  Petersburg,  when  he  was  so  often  under  fire,  and  where  he  acted 
for  awhile  as  hospital  steward  and  doctor,  the  regiment  being  without  either  at  that  time. 
After  Gettysburg,  he  remained  there  with  Dr.  Hunt  for  several  weeks,  nursing  the  wounded 
and  comforting  the  dying.  He  was  diligent  and  faithful,  for  which  he  deserves  much 
credit.  Colonel  Barker  used  to  call  him  the  good  Samaritan.  The  names  of  his  children 
are,  Sarah,  Silas  W.,  Hattie  Q.,  Jesse  E.,  Samuel  B.,  and  Mary  F.  The  last,  being  the  babe 
above  mentioned,  now  is  a  mother,  having  had  babes  of  her  own,  and  resides  in  San  Diego 
Gal. 

*  See  page  447. 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


573 


Bk.   Bk.   D.   5-IO. 
JAMES    T.   GALLEY. 


CORP.    KKWIX    G.   CATE. 


Bk.    15k.   I).    5-6. 
SILAS    G.    CHASE. 


574  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

CORP.  ORRIX   G.  COLBY. 

It  needs  no  Lavater  to  read  "stern  resolution"  in  the  well  marked  features  of  this 
manly  youth.  Born  in  Hill,  August  24,  1845,  he  lacked  ten  days  of  being  seventeen  years 
old  when  he  enlisted ;  yet  he  unflinchingly  followed  and  stood  by  the  flag,  on  every  march 
and  almost  every  battle-field  of  the  regiment  from  Concord,  1862,  to  Concord,  1865.  He  is 
the  oldest  child  of  Wilson  and  Martha  J.  (Quimby)  Colby,  and  the  father  of  four  prom 
ising  children,  Anna  M.,  George  E.,  Mary  E.,  and  Charles  W.,  the  mother  of  whom 
Georgie  D.,  the  daughter  of  George  W.  Woodbury,  of  AVeare,  he  married  January  9,  1872. 

He  was  slightly  wounded  at  Cold  Harbor,  by  solid  shot  or  shell  which,  a  comrade  says, 
"  knocked  him  heels  over  head,"  and  from  which  he  had  a  very  narrow  escape.  He  was  also 
severely  wounded  in  this  battle  by  an  explosive  musket  ball  striking  him  in  the  back  while 
retreating,  he  being  one  of  the  very  last  to  leave  the  field.  He  says  :  "  I  was  talking  with 
Jonathan  Leavitt  when  he  was  struck  by  a  shell  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  I  saw  him 
again  in  a  few  moments  after  we  had  driven  the  rebels  back,  and  said  to  him,  '  You  're 
still  alive,  then?'  He  looked  up  and  replied,  'Yres,  but  I  don't  know  how  long  I  shall 
be.'  The  same  shell —  I  think  it  was — took  off  one  of  the  legs  of  a  Company  B*  boy, 
and  struck  a  man  just  behind  me,  the  blood  spurting  all  over  my  back.  I  felt  something 
strike  my  arm,  and  reaching  round  picked  off  of  my  coat  sleeve  a  large  piece  of  warm  flesh. 
Death  filled  the  air  on  every  side." 

Though  an  honest,  modest,  hard  working  farmer,  many  who  boast  of  high  military 
rank  deserve  far  less  credit  and  honor.  See  incident,  characteristic  of  his  courage  and 
pluck,  on  page  415. 


GEORGE   C.  CURRIER. 

Here  is  one  whose  drumsticks  were  in  hand  to  beat  any  call  by  night  or  day,  when 
not  engaged  in  carrying  the  wounded  from  the  field  of  carnage.  He  belongs  to  a  family  of 
musicians  and  his  brothers,  Cyrus  C.  and  Lorenzo  M.,  were  enlisted  members  of  the 
Second  Brigade  Band,  of  the  Tenth  Corps,  afterwards  known  as  the  "  Post  band  "  and 
stationed  for  sometime  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C. 

He  is  one  of  the  seven  children  of  Trueworthy  G.  and  Nancy  S.  (Chase)  Currier,  and 
was  born  in  Bristol,  February  13,  1841.  Present,  as  believed,  at  every  battle  and  skirmish 
that  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  and  often  under  fire. 

Married  to  Clara  A.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Cox,  of  Holderness,  April  28,  1866,  and  their 
only  child,  Carrie  B.,  is  now  the  wife  of  Ansel  D.  Uolloff.  Occupation  before  and  for  some 
years  after  the  war  a  wheelwright ;  now  manufacturer  of  crutches,  thousands  of  which  are 
made  and  sold  by  him  every  year.  So  whereas  he  once  assisted  his  comrades  in  getting  rid 
of  their  useless  legs,  he  is  now  helping  to  supply  them  with  useful  ones.  He  is  one  of  the 
best  and  most  substantial  citizens  of  Bristol. 


JOHN  G.  DOXOVAX. 

Son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Gilman)  Donovan  ;  born  in  Sanbornton,  March  19,  1822. 
Married  Sarah  Quimby,  of  Sanbornton,  before  the  war ;  one  child  died  in  infancy.  Mar 
ried  again,  August  26, 1867,  to  Julia  A.  Gilman,  of  Sanbornton  ;  one  child,  John  II.  James, 
brother  and  oldest  son  in  a  family  of  eleven  children,  \vas  in  the  Mexican  War,  and  his 
grandfather,  Joseph  Gilman,  was  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution. 

This  soldier  was  in  most  of  the  battles  of  the  regiment,  except  Gettysburg  and  Cold 
Harbor,  and  was  wounded  slightly  by  shell  on  right  hip  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville, 
where  he  was  taken  prisoner  and  paroled  on  the  field. 

For  the  last  twenty  years  he  has  been  as  constant  at  his  forge,  as  blacksmith  in  the 
railroad  shop  at  Lakeport,  as  he  was  faithful  to  his  post  of  duty  in  the  war. 

*  Supposed  to  be  Dudley  F.  Smith. 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


575 


B.  i..  L.  5-41. 

CORP.  ORRIX  G.  COLBY. 


DB.  B.  L.  6-O. 
GEORGE  C.  CURRIER. 


B.  Bk.  L.  5~I  l£. 
JOHN  G.  DONOVAN. 


576  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

LIEUT.  DAVID   E.  EVERETT. 

This  son  of  Dexter  and  Betsey  (Filigree)  Everett  was  born  in  New  London,  October  25, 
1825,  and  was  married  to  Harriett  K.  Davis,  of  Franklin,  June  1,  1848.  His  children  are, 
DeVolney  and  DeWitt,  the  oldest,  Henry  R.,  died  in  infancy.  His  wife's  brother,  Richard 
H.  Davis,  was  killed  in  a  Wisconsin  Regiment. 

A  captain  in  the  State  militia  before  the  war ;  when  the  Twelfth  was  raised,  he  enlisted 
forty-two  men  for  Company  D,  and  was  made  its  first  lieutenant.  He  commanded  his  com 
pany  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  thus  evincing  the  active  patriotism  of  his  grandfather, 
Levi  Everett,  who  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  Revolution.  Disabled  from  the  effects  of  rheu 
matic  fever  contracted  from  exposure  at  the  battle  above  named,  he  was  obliged  to  leave 
the  service  soon  after,  much  to  the  regret  of  those  who  had  learned  to  respect  him  for  his 
many  manly  qualities. 

He  has  for  many  years  resided  in  Concord,  with  his  record  as  a  citizen  and  a  soldier 
unblemished.  He  received  an  academic  education  and  intended  to  be  a  teacher,  but  when 
enlisted  was  employed  as  a  carriage  trimmer.  Since  the  war  his  business  has  been  a  har 
ness  cutter. 


SERGT.  ENOS   B.  FERRIN. 

One  of  the  sixteen  children  (ten  sons)  of  Jonathan  and  Harriet  (Webster)  Ferrin,  and 
born  in  Bridgewater,  October  25,  1831.  His  early  life  was  spent  on  a  farm  and  he  was 
quick  to  respond  to  the  nation's  call  for  support  in  that  direful  time  of  18G1. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Swift  Creek,  Cold  Harbor,  and 
Siege  of  Petersburg,  going  through  them  all  without  receiving  a  wound.  He  was  on  de 
tached  service  on  guard  of  the  wagon  train  during  the  Gettysburg  campaign.  An  incident 
about  his  cooking  beans  in  the  city  of  Fredericksburg  was  the  means  of  saving  his  life 
while  the  enemy  was  shelling  the  city.  A  comrade  says  of  him :  "  Brave  and  reliable  ; 
who  always  knew  that  it  was  safe  to  depend  on  him  no  matter  what  the  emergency."  He 
ha,s  always  seemed  to  enjoy  a  life  of  "  single  blessedness,"  never  being  married,  but  his 
name  should  be  perpetuated. 

Occupation,  before  and  since  enlistment,  a  farmer. 


SERGT.  HIRAM    W.  FERRIX. 

Yes,  he  was  as  firm  and  stern  on  the  field  as  he  looks  here  on  paper,  yet  a  good  citizen 
and  kind  hearted  man.  He  is  the  son  of  Jonathan  and  Harriet  (Webster)  Ferrin,  born  in 
Bridgewater,  April  3,  1835,  and  married  to  Elizabeth  H.,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Brown,  of 
Bow,  November  12,  1864.  Their  only  child  is  Ella  H.  His  wife  is  a  sister  to  Charles, 
Samuel,  and  Caleb  Brown  (see  sketches).  He  had  three  brothers,  besides  Enos  (see  sketch), 
in  the  war. 

He  was  in  all  the  battles  of  the  regiment,  except  the  Siege  of  Petersburg  and  Ceme 
tery  Hill,  during  which  time  he  was  absent  from  regiment  two  or  three  months  because  of 
a  severe  wound  from  shell  in  left  hip  at  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  June  3, 1864.  Also 
wounded  slightly  in  right  leg  at  Chancellorsville.  He  was  one  of  the  disabled  veterans 
who  helped  defend  the  capitol  against  General  Early's  attack  in  the  summer  of  1864,  and 
one  of  the  many  who  wore  the  chevrons,  but  deserved  the  epaulets  for  bravely  defending 
the  flag  on  many  bloody  battle-fields.  He  has  long  resided,  and  is  highly  respected,  in  the 
city  of  Concord. 


l\fczu  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


577 


B.    DR.   I..   6-O. 
LIEUT.    DAVID    E.    EVERETT. 


B.   DR.    D.    5-IO. 
SERGT.    EXOS    B.   FERRIX. 


ii.  n.  L.  5-9. 

SE1KJT.    HIRAM     \V.    FKRRlN. 


578  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

CHARLES   H.  FOSS. 

One  of  the  eight  children  of  Loren  and  Mary  Ann  (Mason)  Foss,  born  in  Sandwich, 
April  17,  1839.  His  great-grandfather,  Capt.  Lemuel  B.  Mason,  was  a  gallant  soldier  of 
the  Revolution,  serving  through  the  whole  war,  and  fought  under  Washington  on  most  of 
his  important  battle-fields,  and  was  with  Sullivan  in  his  expeditions  against  the  Indians, 
having  many  narrow  escapes  from  death.  He  also  enlisted  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  served 
one  year  as  captain  in  Colonel  Davis'  Regiment. 

His  grandmother,  on  his  father's  side,  was  the  daughter  of  Moses  Harmon,  who  was 
also  a  Revolutionary  soldier  for  three  years,  who  fought  at  Ticonderoga,  and  was  present 
when  Burgoyne  surrendered. 

Married  Martha  A.,  daughter  of  Charles  H.  Plummer,  of  Sanbornton,  July  4,  1859. 
One  child,  Mary  J. 

In  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  sick  in  hospital  summer  and  fall  of 
1863,  and  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps.  Though  his  service  in  the  field  was  short, 
compared  with  many,  his  record  as  a  soldier  and  a  citizen  is  worthy  of  his  ancestry. 


FRANK   G.  FOWLER. 

His  name  is  found  on  the  roll  of  honor,  for  he  died  of  wounds  received  at  Chancellors 
ville  (see  roster). 

He  was  the  son  of  Isaiah  H.  Fowler  and  was  born  in  Bristol,  June  9,  1843.  He  had 
three  brothers  and  one  sister.  His  father  was  a  brother  of  the  mother  of  Luther  H.  Parker 
(see  sketch). 

He  was  wounded  in  right  hip  by  the  fatal  bullet,  and  for  some  time  it  was  expected 
that  he  would  recover.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  and  nothing  is  known 
against  his  record.  His  grandfather,  Abner,  was  a  soldier  of  the  second  war  with  England. 


ANDREW   P.   OILMAN. 

This  worthy  citizen  of  his  native  town  was  born  in  Sanbornton,  May  1, 1837.  Parents, 
Alba  and  Lucy  P.  (Chase)  Oilman,  who  had  four  children,  one  dying  in  infancy,  and  the 
other  three  were  all  in  the  war  at  the  same  time  ;  Charles  A.,  the  oldest,  in  the  Eighteenth 
Newr  Hampshire  Regiment,  and  Andrew  P.  and  George  B.,  in  the  Twelfth.  His  father  died 
in  1866,  but  his  mother,  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  is  still  living  to  be  envied  for  her  strength 
and  activity  by  those  many  years  her  junior. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville.  Wounded  twice  at  Chancel 
lorsville,  the  last  time  severely  in  left  hip  by  a  minie  ball  which  he  still  carries  in  his  body.  * 

His  great-grandfathers,  Simon  Oilman  and  Jonathan  Chase,  wrere  both  in  the  great 
struggle  for  independence. 

Married  to  Althea  Sanborn,  December  29,  1857,  and  has  only  two  children,  Lucy  E. 
and  Clarence  E.,  now  living ;  the  oldest  child,  Carrie  A.,  having  died  in  the  ecstatic  triumph 
of  the  Christian  faith  several  years  ago. 

He  is  one  of  the  many  brave  men  of  the  regiment  who  were  crippled  for  life  at  Chan 
cellorsville,  and  soon  after,  for  that  reason,  discharged  from  the  service,  but  one  of  the 
few  whose  name  seemed  providentially  saved  from  death's  long  roll  on  that  life-harvesting 
field. 


MOSES   B.  OILMAN. 

December  14,  1829,  this  youngest  but  one  in  a  family  of  five  boys  and  two  girls,  was 
born  to  Moses  and  Sophia  (Burley)  Oilman,  in  the  town  of  Sanbornton,  where  he  still 
resides. 

His  grandfather,  Joseph  Oilman,  was  in  the  Revolution;  his  father  in  War  of  1812, 
and  severely  wounded,  narrowly  escaping  the  scalping  knife  by  hiding  under  a  log  through 

*See  incident  of,  page  345. 


Hampshire  \rohinteers. 


579 


B.    B.   L.   5-9. 
CHARLES    H.   FOSS. 


B.    DB.    L. 
FRANK    G.    FOWLER. 


II.   B.   L.   5-10. 
ANDREW    P.    OILMAN. 


580  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

the  night,  and  swimming  across  the  river  after  daylight  under  the  fire  of  the  Indian  sharp 
shooters  and  finally  reaching  the  American  lines  by  the  assistance  of  his  brother,  who  was 
in  the  same  battle,  and  met  him  as  he  landed. 

His  three  brothers  (Albert  A.,  in  the  Mexican  War ;  John  H.,  in  the  Sixth  Vermont 
Volunteers,  and  Freeman  D.,  in  the  First  New  Hampshire  Volunteers  and  afterward  in 
Sprague's  Rhode  Island  Cavalry)  also  fought  for  the  same  flag  as  himself,  making  a  family 
record  of  courage  and  patriotism  equalled  by  few. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg  ;  wounded  slightly 
in  the  second,  and  so  severe  in  left  wrist  and  back  in  the  last  battle  as  to  disable  him  for 
the  field  and  was  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  (see  roster),  where  he  served  until 
the  end  of  the  war. 

Married  May  5,  1861,  to  Everline  A.  Johnson  ;  one  adopted  son. 

He  is  now,  as  ever  since  the  war,  a  thrifty  farmer  of  his  native  town,  but  enjoys  a 
coon  hunt  or  fox  chase  with  his  favorite  hound,  quite  as  much  as  harpooning  whales  *  or 
shooting  quails  in  his  earlier  years,  for  he  is  still  "  one  of  the  boys." 

"  At  Gettysburg,"  as  he  relates,  "  Jonathan  Leavitt,  who  stood  near  me  when  the  battle 
commenced,  said,  'now  Moses  we  have  got  to  catch  it,'  and  so  we  did.  He  was  killed,  and 
I  was  badly  wounded." 


ADXA   M.   HALL. 

Born  in  Bristol,  July  4,  1841,  and  died  (see  roster)  of  wounds  in  shoulder  and  back  by 
shell  and  musket  shot  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg. 

For  parentage,  etc.,  see  sketch  of  his  brother,  Oliver  P.  His  great-grandfather  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Revolution.  He  fought  at  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  where  by  his 
heroism  he  proved  the  quality  of  that  patriot  blood  that  he  inherited,  and  which  he 
afterwards  shed  for  liberty  on  one  of  the  world's  greatest  battle-fields.  He  was  wounded 
early  in  the  engagement  and  was  one  of  the  first  to  receive  a  fatal  shot. 

He  is  remembered  by  his  early  associates  and  army  comrades  as  being  upright  and 
temperate  in  all  his  dealings  and  habits,  and  was  one  of  the  many  noble  hearted  whose 
name's  are  found  on  the  regimental  roll,  of  those  who  died  of  wounds  received  on  the  field 
of  battle. 


LIEUT.  GEORGE  W.  HALL. 

His  place  and  date  of  birth  are  Tunbridge,  Vt,  November  19,  1829,  and  he  is  the  son 
of  Abner  and  Thirza  (Elkins)  Hall. 

November  7, 1853,  he  married  Hannah  H.,  daughter  of  Eliphalet  Flanders,  of  Sanborn- 
ton.  Children,  Emma  L,  George  E.,  Cora  E.,  Charles  A.,  Maude  A.,  Florence  H.,  Harry  W., 
and  Sarah  E. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville  and  wounded  at  last 
named  in  left  shoulder,  taken  prisoner  and  paroled  on  the  field,  where  he  assisted  the  other 
wounded  until  he  crossed  the  river  into  our  lines.  He  was  also  in  the  battles  of  Swift 
Creek,  Port  Walthall,  Cold  Harbor,  and  part  of  the  Siege  of  Petersburg.  At  the  battle  of 
Cold  Harbor  he  commanded  Company  B  in  the  leading  division  of  the  charge.  He  says  : 
"At  Chancellorsville,  after  being  taken  prisoner,  I  got  water  and  fixed  up  shelters  for  those 
who  were  too  badly  wounded  to  help  themselves.  I  asked  and  was  granted  permission  to 
do  this  by  a  rebel  surgeon.  The  cry  all  around  me  was  for  water.  I  worked  until  ten 
o'clock  that  night."  For  the  last  few  months  of  the  war  he  was  acting  adjutant  at  Rendez 
vous  Camp,  Portland,  Me. 

A  carpenter  by  trade,  and  his  record  as  a  soldier  and  civilian  speaks  for  itself  on  the 
right  side  of  every  cause  and  work  in  the  present  as  well  as  in  the  past. 

*He  went  on  a  whaling  voyage  when  young. 


w  Hampshire   Volunteers, 


B.    DB.    D.   5-8 \. 
MOSES    B.   OILMAN. 


B.    DB.    L.   5-9. 
ADXA    M.    HALT.. 


Bk.   D.    D.   5-S-J. 
LIEUT.   GEORGE    \V.    MALL. 


582  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

OLIVER  P.  HALL. 

Son  of  Oliver  S.  and  Elizabeth  (Morrison)  Hall,  and  brother  of  Adna  M.  (see  sketch), 
who  was  killed  at  Gettysburg. 

Born  in  Bristol,  where  he  has  always  resided,  May  18,  1843,  and  is  the  great-grandson 
of  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution. 

In  all  the  general  engagements  of  the  regiment,  except  Fredericksburg  and  Gettysburg. 
Wounded  severely  by  minie  ball  in  right  hip  at  Chancellors  ville  while  trying  to  bind  up  the 
death  wound  of  Augustus  Chapman  (see  roster),  of  the  same  company.  Rejoined  regiment 
at  Point  Lookout  the  next  fall.  Captured  at  Bermuda  Hundred  (see  roster)  and  paroled 
from  Salisbury  prison,  N.  C.,  March  9,  1865,  having  previously  been  for  a  while  in  Libby 
and  Belle  Isle  prisons  and  was  one  of  the  fortunate  few,  of  the  10,000  confined  there  when 
he  went  in,  that  came  out  and  reached  home  alive. 

He  has  never  yet  married,  and  it  is  feared  now  he  never  will,  though  almost  any  good 
and  patriotic  woman  would  have  reason  to  feel  proud  of  a  husband  with  such  an  honor 
able  record  made  in  the  service  of  his  country. 


CORP.   ARTHUR   L.  HANNAFORD. 

March  8,  1844,  is  the  date  of  this  soldier's  birth,  who  is  the  ninth  of  the  fourteen  chil 
dren  of  Albert  Hannaford,  who  married  Loraina  Smith  who  became  the  mother  of  them  all. 
A  brother,  William  F.,  served  from  1861  to  1865  in  the  Eighth  New  Hampshire. 

In  most  of  the  battles  of  the  regiment,  excepting  Gettysburg,  when  he  was  a  paroled 
prisoner,  being  wounded  and  captured  at  Chancellorsville.  Was  in  Libby  and  Belle  Isle 
about  a  month,  then  at  Parole  Camp,  Annapolis,  Md.,  and  did  not  rejoin  regiment  until 
September  at  Point  Lookout.  When  taken  prisoner,  and  for  a  while  after,  he  was  between 
the  lines  and  exposed  to  a  severe  fire  from  both  sides.  He  speaks  of  a  severe  experience 
while  under  rebel  control,  and  remembers  of  finding  Richmond  draped  in  mourning  for 
the  death  of  General  Jackson.  This  soldier  has  a  vein  of  pleasantry  in  his  make-up,  and 
was  always  as  ready  to  entertain  his  comrades  in  camp  as  to  engage  the  enemy  on  the  field. 

Married  Emily  F.,  daughter  of  Miles  Randall,  at  Canterbury,  October  11,  1869.  Chil 
dren,  Orville  R.  (deceased)  and  Edith  M.  Married  Morilla  H.  Swan,  daughter  of  .James 
Marsh,  of  Franklin,  November  13,  1879.  Child,  Bernice. 

The  picture,  from  which  this  was  engraved,  was  taken  just  before  leaving  the  state  for 
the  front. 


LIEUT.  ALONZO  W.  JEWETT. 

Born  in  Wentworth,  September  17,  1839.  Son  of  Alpha  C.  and  Hannah  Flanders 
Jewett.  Married  April  23,  1861,  to  Annette  Locke,  and  August  5,  1879,  to  Celestia  Davis 
Angel.  Children  by  first  wife,  Katie  B.,  Harry  C.,  and  Arthur  A.,  all  deceased  but  the  last. 

In  all  the  principal  engagements  of  the  regiment,  except  the  Siege  of  Petersburg, 
when  he  was  on  detached  service  as  acting  quartermaster  of  field  hospital ;  afterward  of 
the  regiment.  Wounded  slightly  at  Cold  Harbor,  and  one  of  the  "  eighteen,"  as  he  remem 
bers  it,  who  helped  retake  the  lost  ground  and  prisoners  at  Gettysburg.  During  last  of 
war  he  acted  as  quartermaster  for  the  regiment  for  some  time,  and  was  appointed  acting 
assistant  quartermaster  for  the  post  at  Danville,  Va.,  besides  filling  other  positions  of 
official  trust  during  his  enlistment.  He  was  prompt,  brave,  and  efficient,  and  as  true  to 
duty  as  the  needle  to  the  pole.  He  has  been  engaged  in  farming  most  of  tbe  time  since 
the  war,  and  is  one  of  the  most  respected  citizens  of  Laconia,  where  he  has  long  resided. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


5»3 


B.    DB.   L.   5—7. 
OLIVER    P.     HALL 


B.    B.    L.   5-9. 
CORP.   ARTHUR    L.    HANXAFORD. 


B.    B.    L.   5-4?,- 
LIEUT.    ALOXXO    W.    JEWETT. 


584  History  of  Uic  Twelfth  Regiment 

JOSIAII   JONES. 

Son  of  Jonathan  and  Sarah  (Haines)  Jones,  and  born  in  Quincy,  Mass.,  October  27, 
1839. 

In  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  and  wounded  at  the  latter  in  four 
places  —  in  left  thigh  and  leg  severely  by  shell,  and  slightly  in  side  by  piece  of  shell,  and  in 
the  head  by  minie  ball,  and  was  left  in  a  helpless  and  suffering  condition  on  the  field  for 
thirteen  days  at  the  mercy  of  the  enemy.  He  lay  until  Thursday  noon  before  his  wounds 
were  dressed.  Discharged  on  account  of  wound  in  leg  which  lamed  him  for  life.  He  had 
two  brothers  in  the  war,  John  F.,  in  Thirteenth  Massachusetts  Infantry,  and  George,  in  a 
Massachusetts  Battery. 

He  married  Lizzie  Wilson  (deceased)  in  1869.  Married  again  to  Emma  A.,  of  Tops- 
field,  Mass. ;  no  children  by  either  wife. 

"  Two  lines  of  rebel  infantry  charged  over  me,"  he  says,  "  after  I  fell."  *  *  *  "The 
ugliest  looking  man  I  ever  saw  was  a  rebel  whom  I  feared  at  first  sight,  but  soon  learned  to 
love,  for  he  helped  me  into  the  shade  of  a  tree,  put  a  blanket  under  my  head  and  was  very 
kind  to  me.  Some  of  the  rebel  musicians  had  previously  robbed  me  of  my  money  and 
boots,  and  Joseph  Young,  who  lay  near  me,  of  the  pictures  of  his  wife  and  daughter.  The 
regular  soldiers  of  the  line,  however,  treated  me  well." 

Died  in  Lynn,  Mass.,  where  he  resided  for  many  years,  about  1890.  Another  worthy 
veteran  gone. 


CORP.  WILLIAM   C.  KELLEY. 

On  the  6th  day  of  June,  1834,  William  C.  Kelley  was  born  in  Hill.  His  parents  were 
Alfred  and  Mary  (Currier)  Kelley  and  he  had  three  sisters,  he  being  the  only  son.  His 
grandfather,  Timothy  Kelley,  served  during  the  War  of  1812. 

He  faithfully  followed  the  flag  in  all  engagements,  except  Cold  Harbor,  during  which 
battle  he  served  in  the  capacity  of  cook.  At  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  when  the  fight 
was  raging  the  hottest,  he  was  hit  by  a  spent  ball  in  breast  and  another  grazed  his  side. 

He  was  married  in  the  year  1867,  on  the  29th  of  May,  to  Anna  Merrill,  of  Hill,  by 
whom  he  had  four  children,  Alfred  M.,  Minnie  J.,  Lizzie  M.,  and  Arthur  W.  A  farmer, 
good  man,  and  brave  soldier. 


HENRY  R.  KIDDER. 

This  good  man  and  brave  soldier  was  killed  at  Chancellorsville  as  he  was  lying  upon  the 
ground  just  before  advancing  into  the  vortex  of  battle.  *  He  had  just  raised  his  head  to  get 
a  better  view  of  the  field  across  which  the  bullets  were  flying,  when  the  fatal  bullet  struck 
him  in  the  head.  His  brother  (see  next  sketch)  was  lying  by  his  side.  He  was  the  son  of 
Joseph  and  Dorcas  (Nelson)  Kidder,  and  born  in  Bristol,  1841. 

His  mother,  it  is  said,  saw  him  as  she  thought  walking  towards  the  depot  in  Bristol, 
the  same  hour  that  he  was  killed,  nearly  a  thousand  miles  away.  The  news  of  his  early 
fall  in  the  service  of  his  country  brought  life-lasting  sorrow  to  the  hearts  of  relations  and 
friends  at  home,  and  sadness  to  all  who  knew  him.  Like  his  brother,  he  possessed  good 
traits  of  manly  character. 


SERGT.  URIAH    H.  KIDDER. 

This  valiant  defender  of  his  country's  flag  was  born,  January  27,  1837,  in  the  town  of 
Bristol,  where,  when  not  in  the  army,  he  has  ever  since  resided. 

He  was  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Dorcas  (Nelson)  Kidder,  and  was  married  to  Nancy  J., 
daughter  of  Oliver  S.  Hall,  March  29,  1881. 

He  was  with  his  regiment  in  every  battle,  skirmish,  and  march,  from  Concord  to  Cold 
Harbor,  Va.,  where  he  was  badly  wounded  in  right  thigh,  never  able  to  do  field  service 

*  See  page  79. 


w  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


G.  i).  n.  5-5. 

JOSIAH    JONES. 


B.    B.    L.   5-6f 
CORP.   WILLIAM    C.    KELLEV. 


I).   DR.    I).   6-O. 
HENKV     K.     KIDDKl! 


586  History  of  the  T2velfth  Regiment 

afterward.  lie  was  also  slightly  wounded  at  Gettysburg  by  a  shell  that  assisted  him  over 
a  fence  on  the  retreat,  a  towel  in  his  knapsack  saving  his  life.  At  Chancellorsville,  he  es 
caped  unharmed,  though  his  brother  was  killed  by  his  side.  He  says  : 

%'  I  saw  Lieutenant  Cram  when  he  fell  on  the  field  of  Chancellorsville,  with  the  blood 
spurting  out  from  both  sides  of  his  head  or  neck.  I  saw  Lieutenant  Keyes,  of  Company  E, 
on  the  same  field  jump  into  the  air,  while  he  was  waving  his  sword  to  his  men,  and  fall 
dead  to  the  ground.  I  also  saw  the  Nelson  boys  together  near  the  Chancellor  House,  when 
Dan  was  killed.  I  saw  Frank  Knowlton  and  Adna  Hall  when  they  were  mortally  wounded 
at  Gettysburg."  A  farmer,  strictly  honest  and  honorable. 


CORP.  JAMES   F.   MARSHALL. 

Here  is  Company  D's  baby,  as  he  looked  after  having  donned  Uncle  Sam's  uniform  at 
Concord,  in  the  fall  of  1862.  Then  a  little,  pale-faced  boy  scarcely  in  his  "  teens,"  and  looking 
hardly  old  enough  to  get  the  cows,  but  now  he  would  lack  only  the  uniform  to  make  him 
appear  what  he  proved  himself  to  be,  one  of  the  bravest  and  best  soldiers  of  the  regiment.* 
lie  is  the  fourth  child  and  oldest  son,  except  one  (died  in  infancy),  of  Benjamin  F.  and  Be 
linda  (McCauley)  Marshall,  and  was  born  in  Concord,  August  31,  1846.  His  father,  now 
deceased,  was  a  member  of  Troop  L,  First  New  Hampshire  Cavalry,  serving  until  the  end 
of  the  war.  He  moved  to  Hill,  where  his  widow  still  resides. 

This  soldier  was  in  every  battle  of  the  regiment,  except  the  Siege  of  Petersburg,  where 
he  was  disabled  from  duty  by  a  wound  through  left  shoulder  at  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor. 
Now  look,  again,  at  the  stripling  in  uniform,  and  then  read  further  that  he  never  was  on 
detached  duty  ;  never  went  to  a  surgeon's  call  or  in  hospital,  except  when  wounded ;  never 
asked  for  an  excuse  or  a  pass ;  and  never  away  from  the  colors,  on  march  or  in  battle  ;  and 
then  pause  in  wonder  and  admiration  at  the  invincible  determination  and  heroic  fortitude, 
to  say  nothing  of  the  wonderful  powers  of  physical  endurance  of  one  so  young  and  small. 

His  first  wife  was  Emma  L.  Shaw,  of  Laconia,  married  October  24,  1868.  Died  a  year 
or  two  later.  Married  Emmi  A.  Hall,  April  15,1872.  Children,  Frank  A.,  Chester  H., 
Fred  J.,  and  Charles  R. 

lie  is  now  a  resident  of  the  city  of  Portsmouth  ;  occupation,  a  hair  dresser  ;  and  one  of 
her  best  and  worthiest  citizens.  With  such  a  heroic  record,  words  of  praise  are  super 
fluous. 


DR.    ROBERT   MARTIN. 

Son  of  Samuel  and  Betsey  (Cass)  Martin,  and  born  in  Alexandria.  A  brother,  Ruf  us  L., 
in  First  New  Hampshire  Cavalry,  and  Newell  S.,  in  First  New  England  Cavalry. 

Married  in  1841  to  Mary  A.  Flanders,  of  Hill.     No  children. 

Although  enlisting,  and  for  a  short  time  serving  as  a  musician,  his  previously  acquired 
skill  in  the  treatment  of  sick  and  wounded  horses  soon  caused  him  to  be  detailed  for  duty 
in  the  quartermaster  department  as  veterinary  surgeon,  in  which  capacity  he  continued  to 
act  for  regiment,  brigade  or  division,  until  the  end  of  the  war.  Though  not  a  graduate  of 
any  school  for  the  study  of  comparative  anatomy,  yet  his  council  and  advice  were  often  so' 
licited  and  followed  by  those  who  were  ;  and  he  took  great  interest  and  pride  in  the  work' 
for  which  he  proved  himself  especially  fitted,  and  in  which  he  won  for  himself  the  honor, 
able  abbreviation  of  Dr. 

He  was  present  at  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Relay  House,  Drury's 
Bluff,  Cold  Harbor,  Siege  of  Petersburg,  and  Chapin's  Farm,  and  had  an  exciting  race  with, 
and  narrow  escape  from,  General  Jackson's  troops  at  Chancellorsville,  where  his  horse  was 
shot  under  him.  Several  years  ago  he  moved  to  South  Dakota,  where  he  now  resides. 
Post-office,  Parker. 

*See  page  215. 


JVciu  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


D.    DB.    D.   5-1  I. 
SEKGT.    URIAH    II.     KIDDER. 


Bk.   I.E.    L.   5-4!. 
CORP.  JAMES    F.    MARSHALL. 


G.   Bk.   D.   5-7. 
DR.    ROBERT    MARTIN. 


588  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

LIEUT.  BRADBURY   M.   MORRILL. 

This  is  one  of  the  five  children  of  Folsom  and  Rosilla  (Morrison)  Merrill,  who  was 
born  in  Sanbornton,  April  20,  1829. 

His  father  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  mast  and  spar  dealer,  cutting  many  of 
them  from  his  own  farm,  on  the  banks  of  the  Pemigewasset  river,  where  this  soldier-son 
was  engaged  with  him  in  business  before  he  enlisted. 

He  was  married  first  to  Ellen  S.,  daughter  of  George  W.  Sumner,  of  Hill,  .June  25, 
1851,  who  died  childless  two  years  later,  and  second,  to  Ann  E.  Proctor,  of  Lowell,  Mass., 
September  4,  1856.  Children,  Ellen  S.,  Harriet  F.,  and  Alice  B. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  and  also  in  Gettysburg 
where  he  was  severely  wounded  in  left  wrist.  A  captain's  commission  awaited  his  return 
to  the  regiment,  but  after  four  months'  sickness  in  hospital  from  his  wound  he  was  in  a 
condition  to  resign  rather  than  accept  it,  being  permanently  disabled.  lie  was  one  of  the 
last  if  not  among  the  very  last  to  leave  the  field  of  Chancellorsville,  when  the  regiment  re 
treated.  Since  his  discharge  (see  roster),  he  has  been  in  business  as  photographer  and  in 
surance  agent.  Some  of  the  pictures  that  appear  in  this  history  were  engraved  from  pho 
tographs  taken  by  him  during  or  immediately  after  the  war.  He  is  of  a  quiet  and  mild 
disposition  and  not  unduly  excited  even  amid  the  clash  of  arms.  He  has  been  an  invalid 
for  many  years.  His  grandfather,  Nathaniel  Morrill,  was  in  the  War  of  1812. 


CAPT.   RICHARD   W.   MUSGROVE. 

This  worthy  officer  was  born  in  Bristol,  November  21,  1840.  His  parents,  James  and 
Ann  (Donker)  Musgrove,  were  both  natives  of  London,  Eng.,  and  his  father  was  a  cabin 
boy  on  a  British  man  of  war,  in  the  War  of  1812.  When  he  enlisted  he  was  fitting  himself 
for  college  at  Tilton  Academy,  but  like  so  many  others  he  left  his  books  for  the  ranks  of 
war. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  and  Wapping  Heights, 
and  was  with  the  regiment  until  he  was  discharged  to  accept  a  commission  as  first  lieu 
tenant  of  Company  I,  First  United  States  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  immediately 
sent  with  his  company  to  the  western  frontier  where  he  did  efficient  service  against  the 
Indians,  being  engaged  in  several  skirmishes,  and  was  promoted  to  captain. 

Married  December  23,  1869,  to  Henrietta  M.  Guild,  of  Newport,  by  whom  he  has  six 
children  (four  girls  and  two  boys),  of  whom  he  may  well  be  proud.  His  wife  and  children 
all  have  rare  gifts  as  players  or  singers  and  are  well  known  throughout  that  section  of  the 
state  where  they  have  given  many  concerts  as  the  "  Musgrove  family."  The  names  of  his 
children  are  Isadore  M.,  Frank  A.,  Carrie  E.,  Mary  I).,  Anna  B.,  and  Eugene  R. 

He  carried  the  state  colors  for  a  day  or  two  afterthe  battle  of  Gettysburg.  His  brother, 
Abbott  C.,  was  in  the  One  Hundred  Fifteenth  New  York,  and  was  color-bearer  at  the  battle 
of  Deep  Bottom,  where  he  was  mortally  wounded,  but  lived  long  enough  to  send  a  message 
hoifte  in  which  he  said  :  "  Tell  my  friends  that  I  die  happy,  and  die  for  my  country." 

After  the  war  Captain  Musgrove  started  the  Bristol  Enterprise,  a  newspaper  which, 
under  his  judicious  and  discreet  management,  has  grown  to  be  one  of  the  best  county  papers 
of  the  state.  He  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1885,  and  senator  in  1891, 
and  had  the  honor  of  introducing  in  that  body  a  resolution  for  a  revision  of  the  war 
records  of  the  state  which  was  so  badly  needed.  He  was  town  clerk  for  several  years  ;  has 
been  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  Minot-Sleeper  library;  was  six  years  on  the 
public  school  board ;  and  has  been  for  a  long  time  recording  steward  of  the  official  board 
of  the  Methodist  church  of  Bristol. 


CORP.    ALBERT   D.   NELSON. 

The  oldest  of  three  brothers  all  of  whom  enlisted  in  this  company  and  were  killed  or 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville.  Albert  was  first  wounded  in  the  head  by  a  piece 
of  shell  and  his  brother,  Dan,  was  mortally  wounded  while  helping  him  from  the  field. 
Just  before  his  brother  was  shot  down  they  were  wondering  what  had  become  of  their 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


589 


R.    B.    L.   5-7. 
LIEUT.  BRADBURY    M.   M  OR  RILL 


B.    B.    I..   5-4.1. 
CAPT.  RICHARD    \\ .  MUSGROVE. 


B.    D.  L.   5-44. 
CORP.   ALBERT    D.    NELSON. 


590  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

brother,  Major,  and  upon  turning  round  found  him  close  beside  them,  also  wounded,  but 
not  so  seriously  but  he  took  hold  to  assist  Dan  to  get  Albert  off  the  field  ;  but  had  hardly 
done  so  when  the  former  received  his  death  wound,  living  but  a  short  time. 

The  parents  of  these  brothers,  and  five  other  children  (one  a  boy),  were  Stephen  and 
Louisa  (Prescott)  Nelson,  of  Bristol,  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  there,  Janu 
ary  21,  1840,  and  died  while  at  home  on  a  sick  furlough,  of  chronic  diarrhoea,  contracted 
in  the  service.  His  great-grandfather,  Stephen,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  town  of 
Sutton,  and  afterward  moved  to  Salisbury,  where  his,  Albert's,  father  was  born. 

lie  rejoined  the  regiment  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  in  the  fall  or  winter  of  1864,  but  it  is 
not  certain  whether  he  ever  participated  in  any  other  battle.  He  was  never  married. 

He  was  a  young  man  of  exemplary  habits  and  his  sad  and  untimely  death,  so  soon 
after  his  brother's,  on  the  field  was  deeply  felt  by  his  parents.  Their  strange  and  interest 
ing  experience  about  the  death  of  Dan  was  related  to  the  author  many  years  after  the 
war.* 


DAN  P.  NELSON. 

This  brother  of  the  last  was  born  in  Bristol,  November  12,  1838,  and  killed  while  re 
treating  near  the  "Chancellor  House,"  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  Ya.  (see  preceding 
sketch). 

He  was  still  living  when  his  brothers  left  him,  as  he  begged  them  to  do  to  avoid  being 
taken  prisoners,  for  they  could  do  him  no  good  and  the  enemy  was  close  upon  them.  Thus 
he  was  left  to  die  alone,  although  surrounded  by  the  mad  whirl  of  battle.  He  was 
wounded  through  the  back  and  bowels,  the  ball  coming  so  nearly  out  in  front  that  little 
more  than  the  skin  covered  it.  He,  as  believed,  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg. 


MAJOR  J.  NELSON. 

This  younger  brother  of  the  two  last  was  born  in  Bristol,  March  14,  1841,  and  was 
married,  July  19,  1867,  to  Susie  M.  Samler,  of  North  Harrington,  N.  J.,  by  whom  he  has 
one  son,  William  S. 

He  was  not  discharged  until  the  end  of  the  war,  and  his  record  as  a  soldier  and  a  citi 
zen  is  understood  to  be  a  good  one. 

In  Fredericksburg  and  in  Chancellorsville,  where  he  was  slightly  wounded.  (See 
sketch  of  his  brother,  Albert  D.)  Nothing  more  can  be  written  of  his  battle  record  for 
want  of  data,  except  that  he  served  faithfully  to  the  end  of  the  war,  participating,  it  is 
believed,  in  several  other  battles. 


SERGT.  LUTHER   H.  PARKER. 

Of  the  one  hundred  and  eighty  names  that  make  up  the  roll  of  honor  for  the  regiment, 
few  can  be  found  more  worthy  the  page  of  history  than  the  one  who  heads  this  sketch. 

He  was  one  of  the  seven  children  of  Isaac  T.  and  Mary  M.  (Fowler)  Parker,  and  was 
born  in  Hill,  July  24,  1840.  He  labored,  before  enlisting,  upon  his  father's  farm,  and  none 
left  the  town  of  Hill,  for  the  war,  with  a  better  personal  record  than  he. 

He  was  in  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  fell,  wounded  in  the  knee,  at  Gettys 
burg,  which  resulted  in  his  death  about  three  weeks  later  (see  roster). 

He  was  never  married,  but  from  one  to  whom  he  intended  to  be,  had  not  cruel  fate 
prevented,  was  obtained  the  picture  engraved  for  this  sketch,  and  which  was  taken  of  him, 
of  course,  before  enlistment.  The  reader  now  will  look  upon  his  pleasant,  manly  counte 
nance  with  renewed  interest. 

One  of  his  comrades  says  of  him  :  "  A  splendid  man  ;"  another  says,  "  a  good  soldier, 
always  cheerful  and  ready,"  to  which  a  third  adds,  "  sensible,  modest,  and  level  headed, 
qualified  to  act  in  any  capacity  required."  Such  were  the  noble  lives  that  the  slaveholders 

rebellion  cost  this  nation. 

*See  page  350,  et  seq. 


'a/  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


B.   I).   L.   5-4£. 
DAN    P.     NELSOX. 


R.    D.    L.   5-6^. 
MAJOR   J.     NELSOX, 


LR.    Hk.    I..   5-9^. 
SERGT.     LUTHEU    H.    PARKEK. 


592  History  of  the  T-wclfth  Regiment 

CORP.  HIRAM    C.  PHILBRICK. 

Here  again  is  one  of  the  old  guard,  who  went,  staid,  and  returned  with  his  regiment. 
Born  the  son  of  Richard  and  Nancy  (Pratt)  Philbrick,  in  Plymouth,  June  14,  1840.  Aug 
ust  16,1862;  the  next  day  after  enlisting,  he  married  a  Miss  Harvey,  of  Plymouth. 
Their  only  children,  Hiram  C.,  Jr.,  and  Edward  H.,  both  died  while  their  father  was  absent 
from  home  in  the  west.  The  oldest,  a  graduate  of  New  Hampton  Academy,  gave  promise 
of  much  usefulness. 

In  all  the  battles  and  inarches  of  the  regiment,  except  Wapping  Heights,  and  the 
march  from  Gettysburg  to  Warrington.  Wounded  several  times,  narrowly  escaping  death 
from  shot  and  shells  at  Chancellorsville,  where  his  knapsack  and  equipments  were  cut  from 
him,  and  his  gun  stock  broke  upon  his  shoulder ;  at  Gettysburg  by  explosion  of  shell  and 
a  miuie  ball,  which  he  still  carries  in  him  ;  and  in  front  of  Petersburg  by  being  knocked 
senseless  by  a  piece  of  log  split  off  by  the  enemy's  guns. 

Of  the  courage  and  endurance  of  this  soldier,  posterity  may  something  judge  by  his 
record,  but  they  can  never  be  fully  understood  or  appreciated. 


SAMUEL   H.    ROBERTS. 

Here  you  can  look  upon  the  picture  of  a  mere  child  as  he  looked  with  a  soldier's  over 
coat  and  cap  on,  three  days  after  his  enlistment ;  the  school  boy's  scarf  across  his  shoulders, 
though  contrasting  strangely  with  his  uniform,  is  in  pleasing  harmony  with  his  child-like 
countenance. 

He  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  June  28,1849,  being  on  the  baby  side  of  his  teens,  when 
the  war  commenced,  and  nearly  a  year  (?)  younger  than  any  other  member  of  the  regi 
ment.  No  wonder  that  a  rebel  soldier  whom  he  hailed  when  on  picket,  one  day  in  front  of 
Petersburg,  answered  back  :  "  Go  home,  kid,  and  nurse  your  mother.  " 

Parents,  John  M.  and  Sarah  C.  (Stickney)  Roberts.  Brother,  Thomas  E.  L.,  of  the 
Twenty-sixth  Maine,  was  killed  in  the  service. 

In  all  the  engagements  of  the  regiment,  after  joining  it  at  Point  Lookout ;  wounded 
at  Cold  Harbor ;  and  one  of  the  foremost  in  the  race  for  Richmond.  Married,  October  20, 
1868,  to  Mary  F.  Griffin,  of  Charlestown,  Mass.  Children,  John  H.,  Mary,  Thomas  S., 
Erneline  C.,  Sarah  C.,  Samuel  H.,  Jr.,  Gertrude,  Thomas,  and  Elizabeth  M.  Inheriting  the 
resolute  will  and  restless  spirit  of  his  father,  who  long  rode  upon  the  billowy  sea,  he  ran 
away  from  school  to  enlist  among  strangers  in  the  rugged  ranks  of  war,  at  an  age  when 
most  boys  would  have  been  timid,  even  of  the  sombre  shades  of  night. 

It  should  be  added,  that  small  and  young  as  he  was,  he  carried  a  musket,  except  for  a 
short  time  he  acted  as  "  marker,"  not  only  to  the  close  of  the  war,  but  until  his  final  discharge 
in  December  following.  That  he  was  brave  and  daring  the  reader  will  not  doubt,  for  such 
are  not  born  to  pale  at  the  cannon's  flash,  or  tremble  at  its  roar.  Where  will  you  match 
him ''. 

CORP.  LOUIS  ROWE. 

This  brave  and  faithful  soldier  died  a  few  years  ago  of  wounds  in  right  shoulder  and 
left  hand  from  the  same  ball  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville.  Though  he  lived  for  many 
years  after  the  war,  he  was  always  an  invalid,  the  ball  gradually  working  downward  into 
his  vitals,  resulting  as  above. 

He  was  born  in  Gentilly,  Canada  East,  in  1834.  He  was  the  son  of  Louis  and  Lucy 
Rowe,  and  was  a  wheelwright  by  occupation. 

Besides  Chancellorsville,  he  was  in  Fredericksburg  and  Drury's  Bluff,  and  though  un 
able  would  have  followed  the  flag  through  other  battles  had  the  doctor  allowed  him  to  do 
so. 

He  married  Phrebe  Sanborn  for  his  first  wife,  and  one  child  by  her,  Nellie  E.,  died 
young.  His  second  marriage  to  Sarah  Merrill,  of  Bristol,  occurred  August  31,  1872.  Their 
children  were  Ellie  E.,  Louis  E.,  Anna  L.  (deceased),  and  Charles  1). 

He  acted  as  assistant  quartermaster  after  being  obliged  to  leave  the  ranks  and  con- 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


593 


B.     B.    I).    5-71. 
CORP.    HIRAM    C.   PHILBRICK. 


B.   L.   L.   5-3. 
SAMUEL    H.   ROBERTS. 


DH.   DB.    L.   5-7. 
CORP.    LOUIS    RO\VE. 


38 


594  History  of  the  T^velfth  Regiment 

tinned  as  such,  being  useful  and  faithful  in  the  service,  until  the  end  of  the  war.  Any 
surviving  veteran  of  Company  D  will  always  be  glad  to  speak  a  word  in  praise  of  Louis 
Rowe,  for  they  will  remember  him  as  one  of  the  kindest  and  most  conscientious  of  men 
and  bravest  of  soldiers.  Peace  to  his  honored  ashes. 


BENJAMIN   F.  SANBORN. 

Another  of  the  brave  youths  may  be  seen  here  who  laid  down  their  lives  for  their 
country  on  the  field  of  Chancellorsville. 

He  was  the  son  of  .James  G.  and  Abigail  Sanborn,  and  was  born  September  16,  1842. 
His  father  enlisted  in  the  War  of  1812. 

He  was  with  the  regiment  at  Fredericksburg  and  bravely  faced  the  enemy's  shells 
from  St.  Marye's  Heights. 

He  told  Charles  Foss  (see  sketch)  and  others  that  he  should  be  killed  in  the  next 
battle.  The  fatal  bullet  struck  him  in  the  neck  severing  the  jugular  vein.  He  was  learn 
ing  the  blacksmith's  trade  when  he  enlisted  and  was  known  as  an  honest  and  industrious 
young  man. 

OSCAR   P.   SANBORN. 

Son  of  John  S.  and  Lavina  Sanborn,  and  born  in  Sanbornton,  November  24,  184-3.  His 
father  served  in  the  Fifteenth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  and  both  his  grandfathers, 
Abijah  and  Benjamin,  wrho  were  brothers,  were  in  War  of  1812. 

He  was  in  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  and  severely  wounded  in  last  named 
battle,  laming  him  for  life,  by  a  stiff  ankle  "  equivalent  to  the  loss  of  a  foot,"  as  his  pension 
certificate  says. 

Married  first  to  Clara  Ann  Clisby ;  second  to  Anna  C.,  daughter  of  Smith  Morrill,  of 
Sanbornton.  Children  by  second  wife,  Theodore  M.,  Ernest  C.,  Winfred  P.,  Ramond  V., 
and  Maria  C. ;  children  by  first  wife,  Sarah  J.  and  Katy  H. 

This  soldier,  though  discharged,  as  he  enlisted,  a  private,  ranks  high.  Trustful  where- 
ever  placed,  and  brave  to  meet  any  danger,  he  can  truthfully  be  called  good  among  the 
best  in  the  ranks  of  war,  so  far  as  fate  permitted  him  to  go,  and  his  character  and  reputa 
tion  as  a  man  and  citixen  are  in  unison  with  his  record  as  a  soldier. 


SERGT.   WILLIAM  II.  SAN,BORN. 

Col.  Daniel  Sanborn,  and  Harriet  Ladd,  who  became  his  wife,  had  nine  children,  and 
one  of  his  two  boys,  William  II.,  was  born  October  4,  1838.  He  spent  his  youthful  years 
upon  a  farm  and  after  enlisting  served  faithfully  his  country  until  the  end  of  the  war,  fight 
ing  bravely  on  almost  every  battle-field  of  the  regiment.  But  the  hardships  that  he  en 
dured  probably  laid  the  foundation  of  the  disease,  consumption,  of  which  he  died  many 
years  ago. 

He  was  married  to  Eli/a  Connor,  of  Laconia,  and  had  by  her  one  child,  who  died  in 
infancy.  A  blacksmith  before  the  war  and  after  when  able  to  work.  He  was  a  good  and 
brave  soldier,  never  leaving  the  ranks,  even  for  a  furlough,  until  the  end  of  the  war. 


CORP.   GEORGE   M.   SARGENT. 

The  above  named  soldier  was  born  in  Hill,  March  6,  1845,  and  is  the  son  of  Joseph  C. 
and  Stative  (Austin)  Sargent,  of  Northfield.  His  father's  family  consisted  of  five  boys 
and  four  girls ;  George  being  the  youngest  son.  Ezekiel  Willey,  his  grandfather  on  his 
mother's  side,  is  said  to  have  been  in  the. Revolutionary  War. 

He  says  he  was  in  nearly  all  battles,  except  Chancellorsville,  when  he  was  sick  with 
fever.  Though  he  shows  a  sergeant's  strips,  the  correct  record  of  his  promotion  makes  him 
rank  as  above. 

Married  October  18,  1868,  to  Adeline  E.  Putney,  of  Hebron,  by  whom  he  had  two 
children,  Lilla  M.  arid  Blanche  E.  A  farmer  and  machinist. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


595 


BENJAMIN    F.   SANBORN. 


Bk.     H.   D.    5-IO. 
OSCAK      P.     SANBOKX. 


B.  B.  L.  5-9', 
SERGT.  WILLIAM  H.  SANBORN. 


LB.    B.   L.   5-4!. 
COUP.    GEORGE    M.    SARGENT. 


cjo6  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

ANDREW   J.   SMALL. 

This  rugged  and  ready  soldier,  one  of  the  most  able  and  willing  of  his  company,  was 
born  in  Canterbury,  June  24,  1830,  and  is  the  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Hannah  Young  Small, 
his  mother  being  the  daughter  of  Eld.  Young,  of  Canterbury,  and  his  grandfather,  John 
Small,  being  on  the  roll  of  1812.  Married  Calista  W.  Howe,  of  Henniker  (deceased),  Sep 
tember  30,  1852;  and  Sarah  E.  Tenney,  of  Belmont,  April  30,1883.  Children,  by  first 
wife,  Eva  G.,  Allie  E.,  and  Charles  W. 

In  all  the  battles  and  skirmishes  of  the  regiment,  except  Chancellorsville  and  Wap- 
ping  Heights.  Severely  injured  by  concussion  of  shell  at  Gettysburg,  the  explosion  of 
which  stripped  him  of  his  equipments  and  part  of  his  clothes,  and  leaving  him  for  some  time 
senseless  on  the  field.  A  good  soldier  and  generous  hearted  man. 


CORP.   CHARLES   G.   SMITH. 

Born  in  Moultonborough  in  the  year  1831,  and  was  the  son  of  Charles  G.  and  Emma  E. 

Smith. 

He  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg  and  mortally  wounded  at  Chancellorsville,  liv 
ing  about  one  month  (see  roster).  He  was  probably  struck  by  a  solid  shot  or  piece  of 
shell  as  one  of  his  knees  was  shattered  in  pieces.  His  brother,  David  R.,  who  served  in  the 
same  company,  died  some  years  ago.  Much  pains  have  been  taken  to  find  more  of  the 
family  record  of  this  soldier,  especially  as  he  was  mortally  wounded  on  the  field  of  battle, 
and  his  name  appears  as  it  should  on  the  roll  of  honor. 


SERGT.  SAMUEL   B.  SWAIN. 

Born  in  Sanbornton,  August  7,  1832,  and  is  the  son  of  Caleb  and  Sarah  P.  (Bryant) 
Swain.  He  was  wounded  in  hip  by  piece  of  shell  at  Gettysburg.  Both  his  grandfathers, 
Hezekiah  Swain  and  Robert  Bryant,  were  in  the  Revolution. 

Married  June  18,  1862,  to  Olive  J.  Gilman  (no  children). 

He  was  also  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  and  served  until  the 
end  of  the  war.  Much  more  to  his  credit  might  be  said  of  him  if  all  of  his  record  was 
known. 


WARREN   TUCKER, 

Posterity  can  here  look  upon  the  pictured  face  of  an  honest  man  and  brave  soldier  as 
he  looked  thirty  years  ago  when  he  wore  the  Union  blue.  He  is  the  youngest  of  the  six 
children  of  William  and  Sally  (Nutter)  Tucker,  and  first  saw  the  light  in  Alexandria, 
where  he  now  resides,  October  3,  1840.  One,  of  his  four  brothers,  William,  was  killed  on 
the  picket  line  in  front  of  Petersburg,  while  serving  in  the  Seventh  New  Hampshire  Vol 
unteers,  June  18,  1864,  and  his  grandfather  was  a  pensioner  of  1812.  When  Gettysburg 
was  fought,  he  was  suffering  from  wound  received  at  Chancellorsville,  but  he  was  in  all 
other  battles  of  his  regiment  to  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was  again  so  severely  wounded  that 
he  was  discharged  a  few  months  later.  Bernice  E.  Pike,  daughter  of  Jonathan  K.,  of 
Hebron,  became  his  wife,  December  1,  1868,  and  is  the  mother  of  Everett  W.,  their  only 
child. 

He  is  now  as  diligent  at  the  plow  as  he  was  reliant  with  his  musket  when  Putnam,  like 
him,  left  the  former  to  rust  in  the  furrow,  while  he  used  the  latter  in  defense  of  his  country 
on  fields  furrowed  by  shot  and  shell. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


597 


H.  Bk.  p.  =;-y. 
ANDREW    J.     SMALL 


B.   DB.    L. 
CORP.     CHARLES    G.    SMITH. 


LB.    B.    L.    5-S£. 
SERGT.   SAMUEL    R.   SWAIX. 


LB.   R.    L.   5—7. 


WARREN    TUCKER. 


598  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

GEORGE   W.  TWOMBLY. 

Was  born  in  Gilmanton,  November  13,  1833,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Abigail 
(Clifford)  Twombly  who  had  nine  children,  five  boys  and  four  girls. 

Married  to  Harriet  Shaw,  of  Laconia,  December,  1859,  by  whom  he  had  seven  chil 
dren,  Alice  M.,  Ora  E.,  John  L.,  Herbert  G.,  Valma  R.,  Len  C.,  and  Florence  R.  Grand 
father,  Jeremiah  Clifford,  in  War  of  1812.  He  was  in  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville 
arid  wounded  in  last  named  battle  by  musket  ball  through  the  left  wrist.  His  record  as  a 
man  and  a  soldier  is  good.  A  shoemaker  before  the  war,  a  wheelwright  since  discharge. 


JOHN   C.  TWOMBLY. 

This  soldier,  father  of  the  last,  was  born  in  London,  December  16,  1818.  He  was  the 
son  of  Paul  and  Sarah  (Weeks)  Twombly,  and  his  grandfather,  Leonard  Weeks,  fought  at 
the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  and  was  all  through  the  Revolution,  being  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Lexington. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  to  Abigail  Clifford,  in  June,  1837,  and  was 
married  the  second  time  to  Sarah  E.  Plurnmer,  of  Ipswich,  Mass.  He  had  two  sons  and 
three  brothers  in  the  late  war.  George  W.,  as  above,  and  Joseph  C.,  in  the  Fourth  New 
Hampshire.  Two  of  his  brothers,  William  and  Hiram  S.,  making  five  brothers  and  sons 
in  the  Twelfth  Regiment,  and  Samuel  K.,  in  the  cavalry. 


ASA   WITHAM. 

Parents,  Asa  and  Avis  (Brown)  AVitham,  who  had  fourteen  children  and  all  of  their 
sons  were  in  the  army  as  follows  :  John  B.  Witham,  fifer  in  the  P^ighth  New  Hampshire 
(who  had  three  sons  in  the  service)  ;  Asa ;  Jacob,  Seventh  New  Hampshire  ;  Joseph,  Fifth 
New  Hampshire ;  Peletiah,  First  Massachusetts  Cavalry;  Leonard  O.,  Maine  regiment; 
James  H.,  Thirteenth  New  Hampshire  ;  and  Bradbury  B.,  Ninth  New  Hampshire.  .  Their 
grandfather,  Peletiah,  served  in  the  Revolution  ;  and  their  father  was  a  soldier  of  1812 ; 
making  four  generations  and  thirteen  in  number,  that  have  been  in  their  country's  service. 

Married,  April  4,  1849,  to  Mary  D.  Fox,  of  Hardwick,  Vt. ;  two  daughters,  Sarah  E. 
and  Laura  A.  In  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  where  he  fought  unflinchingly, 
until  ramming  down  his  last  cartridge  and  fixing  bayonet,  he  turned  ready  to  meet  the 
enemy,  already  in  his  rear,  had  they  attempted  to  take  him  prisoner. 

For  many  years  he  has  been  a  soldier  of  the  Cross,  and  in  many  times  and  places  de 
fending  the  Christian  faith,  as  a  licensed  Free  Will  Baptist  preacher.  He  is  believed  to  be 
still  living,  and  is  as  ready  to  fight  for  the  cause  of  his  master  in  the  pulpit,  as  he  was  to 
fight  for  his  country  on  the  battle-field. 


Hampshire  Volunteers. 


599 


B.  DB.    D.   5-5-|. 
GEORGE    \V.    TWOMBLY. 


B.    Bk.   D.   5-7^. 
JOHN    C.    TWOMBLY. 


B.    G.     L.    5-10. 
ASA  W1THAM. 


600  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


COMPANY  E. 

This  company  was  raised  almost  entirely  in  the  county  of  Grafton,  the 
town  of  Holderness  furnishing  more  than  twice  as  many  as  any  other 
town,  or  about  forty  men,  and  New  Hampton  nearly  twenty.  Rumney, 
Bridgewater,  Ellsworth,  and  Plymouth,  contributed  about  ten  each,  and 
ten  other  men  came  from  about  as  many  other  towns.  Orlando  W.  Keyes, 
afterward  commissioned  first  lieutenant,  enlisted  most  of  the  men  from 
Holderness,  and  a  few  others. 

William  H.  Russell,  of  Plymouth,  at  a  public  meeting  holden  at  that 
place,  August  n,  1862,  offered  twenty-five  dollars  for  the  first  four  men 
that  would  enlist  from  that  town  under  the  call  of  the  President,  July, 
1862,  and  Hiram  C.  Philbrick,  Henry  R.  Harvey,  Cephas  R.  Crawford, 
and  one  other  enlisted  on  that  day  and  were  the  first  to  enlist  in  this  com 
pany.  Several  men  enlisted  by  Henry  W.  Blair,  afterward  lieutenant- 
colonel  of  the  Fifteenth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  were  intending  to  go 
in  Company  E  of  this  regiment,  but  soon  after  went  in  the  Fifteenth  as 
nine  months'  men. 

At  a  later  meeting  held  at  Holderness,  now  Ashland  Village,  the  com 
pany  was  organized  and  the  following  men  elected  as  commissioned  and 
non-commissioned  officers :  Captain,  Nathaniel  Shackford  ;  first  lieu 
tenant,  Orlando  W.  Keyes;  second  lieutenant,  Andrew  J.  Huntoon. 
The  subordinate  officers  were  Jeremiah  S.  Dinsmore,  Hiram  S.  Wood 
man,  Albert  C.  Emerson,  William  J.  Howe,  and  James  M.  Meade,  as 
sergeants  ;  Samuel  T.  Cheney,  Cephas  R.  Crawford,  James  H.  Baker, 
Olof  L.  Jewett,  Hezekiah  M.  Swain,  George  D.  Cross,  George  K. 
Hughes,  and  Edward  L.  Shepard,  as  corporals.  James  S.  Baker  and 
Harrison  M.  Busiel  were  selected  as  musicians. 

After  being  organized  as  above,  the  company  rendezvoused,  like  the 
others,  at  Camp  Belknap,  Concord,  and  on  the  fifth  day  of  September, 
1862,  was  mustered  as  a  company  into  the  United  States  service. 

A  few  of  the  original  enlisting  papers  of  this  company  were  lost  fro.m 
the  adjutant-general's  office  way  back  at  the  time  of  the  war,  and  there 
fore  they,  as  well  as  a  few  in  Company  H,  will  not  be  given  by  letters 
under  the  pictures,  except  as  they  are  remembered  by  those  living. 


Hampshire   Volunteers.  601 

CALVIN    M.  ANDREWS. 

This  soldier,  a  brother  of  George  W.,  of  Company  G,  was  tlie  son  of  Knsley  G.  and 
Nancy  (Allard)  Andrews,  and  born  in  Centre  Harbor,  May  10,  1888.  He  was  married  to 
Annette  II.  Dunn,  of  Plymouth,  February  14,  1858.  Children  by  whom  are  Inez  A.  (died 
in  infancy).  Cora  V.,  George  A.,  and  Fanny  II. 

He  was  taken  sick  and  left  regiment  at  Warring-ton,  Va.,  on  the  march  to  Falmouth. 
Recovering  his  health,  he  enlisted  again  in  New  Hampshire  Heavy  Artillery  and  served  in 
same  till  the  close  of  the  war.  (See  roster.) 

Farmer  before  enlistment  and  leather  finisher  since  discharge  from  the  service.  His 
comrades  and  neighbors  speak  of  him  as  a  good  soldier  and  worthy  citizen. 


GEORGE   M.    ANNABLE. 

little  is  known  of  the  birth  and  parentage  of  this  higher  type  of  manhood  and  true 
Christian,  except  he  was  born  in  Canada  East,  in  1888,  his  father  and  family  moving  into 
the  states  some  time  after.  At  the  age  of  seven,  then  weighing  only  forty  pounds,  he  went 
to  live  with  Capt.  Parker  Howe,  of  Holderness,  where  he  remained  most  of  the  time  until 
his  enlistment,  and  is  remembered  by  the  family  as  a  "good  boy  and  a  good  Christian." 
He  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  although  taken  prisoner  before  on  the  inarch  to 
Falmouth,  but  soon  exchanged. 

He  died  from  the  effects  of  measles,  closing  his  own  eyes,  and  lay  dead  on  his  cot  with 
his  fingers  on  his  eye  lids,  and  a  beautiful  smile  on  his  countenance  ;  a  complete  victory  of 
the  Christian  soldier  over  a  worse  than  rebel  foe. 


LIEUT.  ALBERT    W.  BACIIELER, 

This  officer,  son  of  Rev.  Otis  K.  and  Catherine  E.  (Palmer)  Bacheler,  first  saw  the  light 
in  the  city  of  Balasore,  India  ;  his  father  being  then  and  for  a  long  time  a  missionary  there, 
where,  with  the  able  assistance  of  his  wife,  he  has  done  a  great  work  in  the  field  of  Chris 
tian  civili/ation.  Born  of  parents  thus  devoted  to  the  good  of  mankind,  it  is  not  strange 
that  the  son,  as  soon  as  old  enough,  should  shut  his  eyes  to  the  bright  prospect  before  him 
and,  looking  within,  see  it  his  duty  to  offer  his  services,  and  life,  if  need  be,  in  the  cause  of 
his  country  and  humanity.  This  he  did  by  enlisting  as  private  in  Company  E.  while  pre 
paring  for  college  at  New  Hampton.  lie  was  promoted  to  corporal,  sergeant,  and  first 
lieutenant ;  and  was  actually  present  and  took  part  with  gun  and  sword,  in  every  battle 
and  skirmish  that  the  regiment  was  engaged  in,  except  the  charge  at  Cold  Harbor,  where 
he  was  on  detail  in  the  provost  guard,  but  exposed  to  the  enemy's  fire.  lie  was  wounded 
slightly  at  Chancellorsville,  and  also  at  Gettysburg,  where,  on  the  retreat,  he  stopped  under 
a  heavy  fire  and  took  from  the  death  grasp  of  Sergeant  Howe  a  piece  of  the  state  colors, 
which  he  now  has  in  his  possession.*  He  wras  captured  on  the  picket  line  November  17, 
1864,  but  escaped  from  Libby  prison  in  company  with  a  comrade,  and  after  a  thrilling  ex 
perience  of  several  days,  succeeded  in  reaching  our  lines  in  about  three  weeks  from  the 
time  he  left  them.f  With  the  exception  of  this,  and  a  few  days  detail,  above  referred  to, 
he  was  never  absent  from  the  regiment  during  its  whole  service. 

After  the  war  he  finished  his  academic  course,  went  through  college,  and  has  since 
been  engaged  in  teaching,  most  of  the  time  at  Manchester,  and  Gloucester,  Mass.,  with 
marked  success. 

He  married  Abbie  Hayes,  of  Alton,  April  2,  1888,  and  had  one  daughter,  Gertrude 
(deceased). 

He  resides  in  Gloucester,  Mass.,  where  he  is  greatly  respected  as  a  man  of  high  mental 
culture  and  moral  worth. 

Of  this  officer,  much  more  of  his  record  and  merit  might  be  said.  He  displayed 
courage  and  ability  equaled  by  few  and  in  many  respects  excelled  by  none.  Brilliant  is  his 
career  and  long  may  he  live  and  his  memory  .after  him. 

*  See  History  of  Colors,  page  374  ft  se.q.  t  See  pages  460-472. 


602  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

JAMES   S.  BAKER. 

Andrew  Baker,  the  father  of  James  S.,  became  the  husband  of  Sarah  Mudgett,  and 
one  of  their  sons  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch  and  was  born  in  Holderness,  May  29,  1832, 
and  died  in  his  native  town  (now  Ashland),  some  years  ago  (see  roster).  He  was  married 
July  28,  1860,  to  Arabel  Simonds,  of  Lowell,  Mass. ;  his  children  are  George  S.,  Mabel  S., 
and  Theron  B.  A.  He  was  leading  musician  of  the  regiment  for  some  time,  and  was  on 
detached  service  for  awhile  as  a  musician  in  the  Brigade  Band.  He  also  had  charge  of  the 
regimental  mail  after  the  death  of  Chaplain  Ambrose.  He  was  an  iron  moulder  by  trade, 
and  for  some  time  engineer  in  a  paper  mill.  He  was  present  at  many  of  the  principal 
battles  of  the  regiment,  and  was  a  faithful  and  reliable  soldier,  serving  all  through  the  war. 


HOLLIS   S.   BLAKE. 

Was  born  on  the  Gth  day  of  April,  1844,  in  the  town  of  Holderness.  His  parents  were 
Amos  W.  and  Catherine  F.  (Fergerson)  Blake. 

He  was  wounded,  in  the  charge  made  at  Cold  Harbor,  by  minie  ball  piercing  his  left 
ear.  He  says :  "  Charles  Chase,  of  my  company,  was  wounded  through  left  thigh  as  we 
were  making  the  second  advance,  and  would  have  bled  to  death  if  it  had  not  been  for  the 
timely  assistance  of  his  comrades."  He  was  also  in  the  battles  of  Drury's  Bluff,  Peters 
burg  and  others,  serving  a  part  of  the  time  as  sharpshooter,  and  remained  until  the  end  of 
the  war. 

Married  September  23,  1866,  to  Persis  E.  Blanchard,  of  Ashland,  and  has  one  child, 
Morris. 

He  was  an  operator  in  a  woolen  factory  for  a  while,  and  also  engaged  in  paper  making. 
Nothing  but  good  for  him  or  his  record. 


EDWIN   E.  BROWN. 

At  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  where  so  many  lives  were  offered  up  for  their  country, 
this  soldier,  fearless  and  brave,  was  among  the  fallen  heroes.  A  minie  ball  penetrated  his 
left  breast,  causing  immediate  death.  He  was  born,  June  3,  1841,  in  Bridgewater,  and  son 
of  Enos  and  Lavina  (Heathe)  Brown,  there  being  two  boys  and  two  girls,  beside  him,  in 
the  family.  His  mother's  uncle,  Starling  Heathe,  was  all  through  the  Revolution,  and  his 
great-grandfather  was  also  in  the  War  of  Independence,  and  badly  wounded,  besides  en 
during  great  hardships. 

He  was  a  farmer  before  enlistment,  and  was  not  married.  He  was  a  sincere  Christian, 
a  brave  and  patriotic  soldier  and  an  honest  man. 


CORP.   HARRISON   M.  BUSIEL. 

This  soldier,  who  has  a  war  record,  which  in  one  respect,  pvobably,  is  equal  to  no 
other  in  the  state,  if  indeed  in  the  country,  was  born  in  Gilford,  June  3,  1825,  and  is  the  son 
of  Moses  H.  and  Relief  (Brown)  Busiel. 

Married  Alice  C.  Blanchard,  June  13,  1845.  Children,  Albert  L.  (see  sketch  in  Com 
pany  1),  George  W.,  Fred  B.,  Frank  P.,  Etta  M.,  and  Alice  A. 

He  was  regularly  enlisted  and  mustered  in,  and  was  honorably  discharged  (see  roster) 
nearly  two  years  later.  He  was  not  disabled  by  accident  or  sick,  except  for  a  short  time, 
nor  disobeyed  a  single  order  during  that  whole  period,  yet  he  never  did  a  single  day's 
service  in  the  army,  nor  left  the  state,  as  a  soldier,  so  far  as  is  known. 

When  the  regiment  left  Concord  for  the  front,  he  was  left  behind  to  bury  his  son  and 
to  remain  there  until  he  should  receive  orders  when  and  where  to  report.  But  no  such 
orders  were  ever  sent  him,  and  he,  many  years  after,  received  through  the  writer  his  full 
pay. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


603 


B.    LB.    L.    5-7. 
CALVIN    M.   ANDREWS. 


B.    B.    F.    5-5. 
GEORGE    M.   ANNAHLE. 


I).    B.    L.   5-6|. 
LIEUT.   ALBERT    W.   BACIIELER. 


I!.    D.    L.   5-1  I  . 
JAMES    S.    BAKER. 


B.    Bk.   D.   5-8^. 
HOLLIS    S.   BLAKE. 


604  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

BVT.    LIEUT.  DANIEL   P.  CHENEY. 

Here  is  the  picture  of  another  one  of  the  "  old  reliables,"  who  smelt  the  smoke  of  every 
battle  and  skirmish,  it  is  believed,  that  the  regiment  was  engaged  in. 

He  was  born  in  Holderness,  now  Ashland,  and  is  the  youngest  son  of  Person  and  Anne 
W.  (Morrison)  Cheney,  who  had  four  sons  in  the  Union  army,  Col.  John  T.,  of  Illinois, 
serving  on  Gen.  Frank  Blair's  staff;  Thomas  P.,  a  lieutenant  in  the  Sixth  New  Hampshire 
Regiment ;  and  two  more  in  the  Twelfth.  The  Cheneys,  of  this  family,  came  from  Eng 
land,  but  this  soldier's  maternal  ancestors  were  of  Scotch-Irish  origin  :  his  grandfather, 
Jonathan  Morrison,  and  great-grandfather,  Abraham  Perkins,  both  serving  in  the  Revolu 
tion,  the  latter  as  captain  in  Colonel  Long's  regiment.  One  of  his  ancestors  married  a 
granddaughter  of  Hannah  Dustin. 

He  was  married  first  to  Henrietta  Powell,  of  Holderness,  March  3,  1864,  who  died 
September  29,  1889,  at  Sioux  City,  Iowa,  where  he  has  resided  most  of  the  time  since  the 
war,  leaving  one  daughter.  Married  again  to  Lucy  Moore,  an  English  lady,  who  lias  two 
children  by  a  former  marriage.  He  had  by  his  first  marriage  three  children  in  all,  Loyd> 
Annie  M.,  and  Benice  M. 


SERGT.   SAMUEL   T.   CHENEY. 

The  reader  can  here  look  upon  the  picture  of  one  of  the  heroic  patriots  of  the  regi 
ment,  whose  name  will  be  found  on  the  roll  of  honor.  Mis  life's  blood  run  out  on  the 
battle-field  of  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  fell  in  that  terrible  charge,  and  though  he  fell  by  his 
brother's  side,  who  the  night  following  hunted  for  him,  fearing  he  was  among  those  left 
wounded  and  suffering  between  the  lines,  and  who  afterward  sought  him  with  anxious 
diligence,  while  acting  as  one  of  the  detail  to  bury  the  dead,  yet  no  trace  of  him,  or  his 
body,  \\as  ever  found. 

He  was  born  at  Holderness  (now  Ashland),  January  23,  1835,  and  was  married  in 
1859  or  'GO,  to  Addie  Moulton,  of  Lakeport,  but  left  no  children. 

He  was  orderly  sergeant  when  he  was  killed,  and  would  doubtless  soon  have  won  an 
officer's  insignia,  for  he  had  shown  his  fitness  for  command  in  many  battles  before  his  last.  He 
was  liked  by  all  of  his  comrades  for  he  was  a  willing  partner  with  them  in  their  sufferings 
and  sorrows,  as  well  as  their  amusements  and  joys.  The  following  lias  been  written  of  him 
by  one  who  knew  him  from  birth,  and  loved  him  like  a  brother:  "  He  was  as  full  of  fun 
and  drollery,  with  a  keen  eye  for  the  ridiculous,  as  a  man  could  be,  generous  to  a  fault, 
honorable  to  perfection."  See  parentage  and  family  record  in  sketch  of  his  brother, 
Daniel  P. 


GEORGE   W.  CLARKE. 

Here  is  a  very  good  likeness  of  the  only  living  member  of  the  regiment  who  lost  a  leg 
and  arm  in  the  service  of  his  country.  He  is  the  youngest  of  six  boys  and  six  gir.ls,  of 
whom  one  half  of  each  sex  are  still  living,  and  was  born  in  Dorchester,  April  7,  1839.* 

In  Fredericksbnrg  and  at  Chancellorsville,  where  he  was  wounded  in  the  same  arm  that 
he  afterward  lost  with  a  leg  from  the  same  side,  by  a  shell,  at  the  battle  of  Swift  Creek.  To 
an  immediate  amputation  of  both  limbs  upon  the  field,  and  a  good  constitution  with  heroic 
fortitude  to  match,  all  needfully  united,  he  is  indebted  for  the  last  half  of  his  terrene  ex 
istence.  Huntress,  afterward  killed  at  Cold  Harbor,  and  Cox,  still  living,  stood  close  by 
him  when  he  was  struck,  and  helped  support  and  care  for  him  until  his  limbs  were  amputated. 
He  says  :  "  At  Chancellorsville,  just  after  they  commenced  to  shell  us  so  severely,  I  saw 
one  shell  explode  and  kill  three  men  on  one  of  our  batteries  ;  it  stove  them  all  to  pieces.  I 
saw  Lieutenant  Cram  killed.  He  was  standing  near  me.  A  ball  cut  off  his  jugular  vein. 
I  had  just  told  him  that  I  was  wounded  and  he  motioned  for  me  to  go  to  the  rear,  when  he 
fell  with  the  blood  spurting  a  foot  or  more  high  from  his  neck." 

*  See  parentage,  etc.,  in  sketch  of  Aaron  Clarke,  Company  C. 


N~eiv  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


60  = 


H.    I..    L.    ^-. 
EDWIN    E.    BROWN". 


B.    B.    L.    ^-9. 
CORP.    HARRISON    M .    BUSIEL. 


G.    S.    F.    5-7. 
BVT.    LIEUT.    DANIEL    P.   CHENEY. 


B.    I..    I  .   5-S. 
SERGT.   SAMl'EL    T.   CIIENKY. 


Bli.   DB.    D.   5~S. 
GEORGE    W.   CLARKE. 


606  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

"  Henry  Keyes  was  in  front  of  me  loading  and  firing  as  fast  as  he  could.  All  at  once 
I  saw  him  drop  his  gun  and  jump,  as  it  seemed  to  me,  at  least  two  feet  into  the  air.  Then, 
looking  around,  he  picked  up  his  gun,  and  went  to  firing  again.  He  soon  after  lost  his 
right  arm."  *  *  *  * 

•'  When  I  came  off  the  field  they  were  just  getting  their  batteries  back.  The  horses 
were  literally  cut  to  pieces.  I  saw  one  with  his  bowels  dragging  on  the  ground,  and  another 
with  one  leg  only  fastened  to  his  body  by  a  piece  of  hide,"  etc.,  etc.  "  Miles  Sweney,  of 
my  company,  was  struck  in  the  temple  by  a  spent  ball,  which  just  pricked  into  the  flesh. 
He  thought  at  first  that  he  was  killed,  and  exclaimed, '  I'm  gone  up.'  " 

Comrade  Clarke  was  a  brave  and  faithful  defender  of  the  flag,  and,  saving  those  who 
gave  their  lives,  few  sacrificed  so  much  for  its  honor  and  protection  as  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.  He  was  never  married. 


SIMEON   H.   CROSS. 

Oldest  child  of  ten  children  of  Sylvester  and  Clarissa  (Bean)  Cross.  Born  in  Bridge- 
water,  May  21,  1844.  He  was  married  just  before,  or  soon  after,  the  war,  to  Julia  A., 
daughter  of  John  F.  Cass,  of  Bristol,  and  has  no  children.  His  uncles,  Ferrin  and  Alma 
Cross,  were  in  the  Thirteenth  New  Hampshire. 

He  had  his  right  leg  badly  injured  on  a  trip  from  Washington  to  Knoxville,  and  soon 
after  discharged  for  disability.  Since  the  war  he  has  been  an  enterprising  citizen  of  his 
town,  being  one  of  its  selectmen  for  six  years  and  holding  other  offices.  Though  this 
soldier  saw  nothing  of  war,  it  seems  not  to  have  been  his  fault. 


JOHN   M.  DOW. 

Born  in  New  Hampton,  May  3,  1844,  and  is  the  son  of  Perren  P.  and  Ruth  B.  (Huck- 
ins)  Dow,  of  New  Hampton.  He  had  one  sister  and  three  brothers,  one  of  whom,  George  L., 
enlisted  in  the  Eighteenth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war, 
deeming  it  his  duty  to  go,  he  at  once  obtained  his  mother's  permission  and  enlisted.  His 
father  died  before  the  war. 

In  all  battles  up  to  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was  mortally  wounded  in  left  leg  below  the 
knee,  living  only  one  month.  His  record  as  a  soldier  stands  among  the  best. 


SAMUEL   GAULT. 

Born  in  Concord  in  1830,  and  died  at  Harland  Hospital,  June  3,  1863.  He  was  in  the 
battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg,  receiving  his  death  wound  in 
latter,  by  shell  shattering  both  legs. 

He  was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Sally  (Eastman)  Gault,  and  his  brother,  John,  was  in 
the  same  company  and  was  born  April  16,  1828.  He  married  for  his  first  wife,  Clarissa 
A.  Merrill,  of  Holderness,  August  19,  1849,  and  had  the  following  children,  Lewis  W., 
George  E.,  Willard  H.,  and  Sydney  N.  His  second  marriage  occurred  September  18,  1862, 
to  Emily  S.  Tobine,  of  Bridgewater.  Children,  Laura  E.,  John  C.,  Henry  L.,  Mary  E.,  Katie 
L,  Rosa  A.,  Ashley  C.,  and  Tver  L.  This  soldier  and  his  brother,  John,  were  the  tallest  of 
any  two  brothers  in  the  regiment,  lacking  but  one  half  an  inch  of  measuring  together 
twelve  feet  and  four  inches.  No  wonder  that  a  regiment,  having  so  many  giant-like  men, 
should  have  been  called  the  "  New  Hampshire  Mountaineers." 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


607 


Bk.    lik.  I.,   ^-ro. 
SIMEON    II.    CROSS. 


Bk.    DB.    I..    5-5. 
JOHX    M.    DOW. 


II.   Bk.  L.  6-1^. 
SAMUEL     GAULT. 


608  History  of  the   Twelfth  Regiment 

PETER   L.    GLOVER. 

Robert  and  Betsey  (Wells)  Glover  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  nine  boys  and 
two  girls,  the  youngest  of  whom  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch  and  was  born  in  Kumney  in 
1833,  and  brought  up  as  a  fanner's  boy  and  working  as  such  to  the  date  of  his  enlistment} 
but  since  his  discharge  has  been  employed  most  of  the  time  as  a  carpenter. 

Married  September,  1855.  to  Eunice  E.  Lyman,  of  Barnet,  Vt.,  and  had  children  by 
her  as  follows:  Frank  E.,  Fred  H.,  Francis  M.,  Charles  II.,  Horace  E.,  and  Ida  M. 

In  all  the  battles  and  marches  of  the  regiment,  and  never  excused  from  duty,  up  to 
Cold  Harbor,  in  which  battle  he  was  severely  wounded.  Taken  prisoner,  but  retaken,  in  a 
short  time  at  Gettysburg.  Left  the  battle-field  of  Chancellorsville  with  eight  rebel  bullets 
in  his  knapsack,  and  his  clothes  and  equipments  perforated,  but  with  a  whole  skin.  "  At 
Gettysburg,  my  captain  put  his  hand  upon  my  head,  and  told  me  to  keep  it  down  and  hug 
the  ground.  Scarcely  had  I  lowered  my  head  when  a  bullet  pierced  his  hand."  Others 
there  were  in  the  regiment  more  assuming  and  pretentious,  but  few,  if  any  such,  were 
more  faithful  or  brave,  if  the  author  has  been  correctly  informed. 


CHARLES    II.   HEATH. 

Born  in  Holderness  (now  Ashland),  July  24,  1848,  and  one  of  the  youngest  in  the  reg 
iment.  Parents,  Charles  B.  and  Abigail  B.  (Cross)  Heath. 

Married  June  4,  1805,  to  Ella  J.  Hannaford,  of  Manchester.  Children,  Harry  S., 
Lulu  M.,  and  Inez  Q. 

His  father  was  in  Company  A,  Seventh  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  and  Charles  H. 
enlisted  as  a  recruit,  December  8,  1863;  and  was  with  the  regiment  and  in  all  its  battles 
and  skirmishes,  from  Point  Lookout  to  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was  severely  wounded  in 
right  ankle  by  musket  ball,  and  also  in  left  knee  and  back.  True  and  plucky  and,  consid 
ering  his  years,  a  veritable  hero. 

HIRAM    T.  HEATH. 

This  soldier  was  born  in  Bristol,  August  31,  1847,  and  is  the  son  of  Nathan  W.  and 
Esther  (Thomas)  Heath. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  receiving  a  wound  from 
rnusket  ball  in  both  ankle  joints  in  the  latter.  After  being  wounded  he  crawled  on  his 
hands  and  knees  to  the  Rappahannock  river,  where  he  was  taken  to  Fairfax  Hospital. 

Afterwards  he  was  transferred  to  Veterans'  Reserve  Corps  (see  roster).  Towards  the 
end  of  the  war  he  joined  a  band  of  scouts  who  were  operating  in  the  Shenandoah  valley, 
and  remained  with  them  until  the  close. 

He  had  two  brothers  in  the  war,  George  W.  and  Moses  C.,  the  former  serving  in  a 
Vermont  regiment  and  the  latter  enlisted  in  the  Fifth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  being 
wounded  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness. 

His  grandfather,  James  Heath,  a  veteran  of  the  War  of  1812,  was  one  hundred  and 
one  years  and  twenty-one  days  old  when  he  died,  in  1857.  Starlin  Heath,  his  great-grand 
father,  was  a  scout  in  the  French  and  Indian  War,  being  present  at  the  massacre  at  Fort 
AVilliam  Henry,  where  he  was  suffering  from  a  wounded  foot  and  hardly  able  to  move 
without  crutches.  At  the  commencement  of  the  slaughter  he  wras  advised  by  a  French 
officer  to  throw  away  his  crutches,  and  acting  under  his  directions,  he  started  for  the 
woods.  He  was  intercepted,  however,  by  the  Indians,  and  taken  a  prisoner.  Supposing 
that  they  would  burn  him  at  the  stake,  he  knocked  down  the  Indian  left  to  guard  him,  and 
started  again  for  the  woods.  But  he  had  hardly  done  so  when  he  was  pursued  by  three 
Indians  and  recaptured  after  a  hard  fight.  Taking  him  back  once  more  to  the  fort,  two  of 
his  captors  left  to  engage  in  the  fight,  and  taking  advantage  of  this,  he  tripped  up  the 
remaining  one,  wrenched  the  tomahawk  from  his  grasp,  and,  braining  him,  escaped. 

He  was  married  November  28,  18(57,  to  Nellie  F.  Brown,  and  of  his  three  children, 
Levi  N.,  George  M.,  and  John  F.,  the  last  two  were  drowned.  He  lives  in  Stewartstown, 
where  he  is  highly  esteemed. 


JVcw  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


609 


B.    B.   L-5-8. 
PETER     L.   GLOVER. 


DB.    L.    L.   5-3. 
CHARLES    II.   HEATH. 


B.    B.   L.   5-7. 
HIRAM    T.    HEATH. 


610  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

SYLVESTER  D.  HOWE. 

He  was  born  September  10, 1828,  at  Bristol,  and  son  of  Person  and  Nancy  (Mowe)  Howe. 

His  grandfather,  John  Howe,  of  Bow,  was  in  the  Revolution,  and  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  Lexington. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  in  the  First  New  Hampshire,  Company  G,  three  months, 
then  in  the  Fourth  until  January  20,  1862.  He  was  detailed  as  nurse  January  20,  1863, 
and  was  assigned  to  Division  Hospital.  Acted  as  nurse  most  of  the  time  during  his 
enlistment  in  the  Twelfth. 

It  should  be  said  of  this  soldier  that  he  was  one  of  the  most  faithful,  reliable,  and 
competent,  in  the  department  in  which  he  acted,  of  the,  regiment. 

He  remained  for  some  time  after  his  enlistment  had  expired  (see  roster).  He  acquired 
so  much  skill  and  experience  as  a  nurse  in  the  army  that  he  acted  as  such  most  of  the  time 
after  the  war ;  his  services  as  such  being  in  constant  demand.  Few  better  men  than  he 
served  as  a  member  of  the  "  Old  Twelfth." 


CAPT.   ANDREW  J.  HUNTOON. 

Is  a  son  of  David  and  Lucy  A.  (Baker)  Huntoon ;  born  in  Unity,  December  4,  1832, 
and  is  a  lineal  decendent  of  Philip  Huntoon,  who,  to  escape  the  religious  persecution  which 
followed  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantes,  came  to  this  country  about  two  hundred 
years  ago,  and  settled  in  Exeter. 

Married  Isabella  Wilson,  of  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  May  4,  1859  (now  deceased),  by  whom  he 
had  two  children,  Florence  Isabella'  and  Bertha  Marion. 

He  received  an  academic  education  at  Gilmanton,  preparing  himself  for  admission  to 
the  sophomore  class  at  Dartmouth  College,  in  1855.  After  this  he  had  charge  of  several  insti 
tutions  of  learning  in  Massachusetts  and  New  York,  and  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment  was 
principal  of  the  academy  at  Plymouth.  His  future  was  bright  and  promising  but  he  heard' 
his  country's  call  for  help  and  left  the  school  room  for  the  battle-field. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Swift  Creek.  At 
Chancellorsville,  he  was  wounded  by  a  minie  ball  striking  him  in  the  fore-arm,  producing 
a  compound  fracture,  and  immediately  following  he  was  taken  prisoner  and  remained  upon 
the  battle-field  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy  about  ten  days.  On  account  of  his  absence  he 
was  reported  killed,  and  he  was  the  last  of  the  many  line  officers  who  fell,  either  killed  or 
wounded,  on  that  day. 

He  has  been  in  the  government  service  most  of  the  time  since  the  war,  being  connected 
with  the  Treasury  Department,  and  the  office  now  known  as  the  office  of  the  auditor  for 
the  Interior  Department,  in  which  at  one  time  he  was  one  of  the  chiefs.  For  a  few  years 
succeeding  his  graduation  in  1868,  from  the  Medical  Department  of  the  Georgetown  Uni 
versity,  he  practised  medicine.  He  now  holds  a  position  of  examiner  on  the  Central  Board 
of  the  Civil  Service  Commission,  whose  duty  is  to  examine  applicants  for  admission  to  the 
Civil  Service  and  for  which  position  he  seems  especially  fitted  and  likely  to  be  soon  pro 
moted  to  chief  of  that  department. 

As  a  man  and  a  scholar  he  ranks  above  the  average,  and  was  known  in  the  war  as  the 
"  Shakespeare  of  the  regiment,"  as  he  was  always  ready  to  quote  that  great  author  "  to  point 
a  moral  or  adorn  a  tale." 

FRANK  L.   HUGHES. 

Here  is  another  of  the  many,  a  few  of  whom  still  live,  who  fought  their  last  battle  on 
the  field  of  Chancellorsville.  He  is  the  only  son  of  Thomas  N.  and  Mary  C.  (Cummings) 
Hughes,  and  was  born  in  Groton,  Mass.,  August  16,  1845. 

He  was  wounded  on  the  retreat  by  a  piece  of  shell  striking  him  on  the  spine.  He  was 
sent  to  hospital  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  then  to  Rhode  Island,  from  which  he  was  f  urloughed 
home  and  discharged. 

He  was  married  March  21,  1871,  to  Addie  S.  Sheppard,  of  Ashland,  and  has  one  child, 
Elmer  C.  He  was  a  farmer's  boy  when  he  enlisted,  but  has  been  for  many  years  since  the 
war  a  prosperous  merchant  in  the  town  of  Ashland. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


611 


DB.    Bk.    L.   5-1  I. 
SYLVESTEK    I).    HOWE. 


DH.   Bk.   D.   5-IOJ. 
CAPT.   ANDREW   J.    HUNTOON. 


B.   L.   I,.   5-6^-. 
FRANK    L.   HUGHES. 


612  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

ABNER   C.  JONES. 

Here  you  see  him  with  his  cooking  cap  upon  his  head  and  a  welcome  smile  upon  his 
countenance,  as  if  he  was  dealing  out  rations  to  the  boys  of  Company  E,  and  happy  to  fill 
up  their  tin  plates  with  some  ground-baked  beans. 

Son  of  Joseph  D.  and  Mary  G.  (Green)  Jones,  and  born  at  Stanstead,  Lower  Canada, 
October  1,  1832. 

Married  Zylpha  A.  Jones,  January  1,  1852;  and  the  happy  new  year's  mating  was 
soon  blessed  by  two  nestlings,  Abner  C.  and  Jacob  B. 

Though  lame  from  infancy,  or  early  life,  he  was  accepted  for  a  common  soldier,  and 
acted  as  such  on  the  battle-fields  of  Fredericksburg,  Gettysburg,  and  Cemetery  Hill.  Most 
of  the  time,  however,  he  acted  as  cook,  being  for  the  last  year  or  more  a  cook  at  Brigade 
Headquarters  and  for  Division  Commissary  Department.  He  was  never  wounded  but  quite 
seriously  injured  in  hip  and  shoulder  while  in  the  service.  Occupation,  shoemaker. 

He  was  one  of  the  most  serviceable  men,  in  his  way,  in  the  regiment,  being  always 
ready  to  feed  the  well,  nurse  the  sick,  or  fight  the  enemy,  as  occasion  might  demand.  True 
and  kind  hearted  and  of  a  jovial  disposition,  he  did  much  to  relieve  the  wants  and  suffer 
ings  of  his  comrades  when  sick,  and  cheer  them  up  when  despondent.  For  his  faithful 
devotion  to  their  health  and  comfort,  they  soon  gave  him  the  well-earned  name  of  "Mother 
Jones,"  by  which  he  has  been  called  and  known  by  them  ever  since,  and  of  which  he  has 
reason  to  feel  proud ;  for.  he  was  a  good  mother  to  the  boys  of  Company  E,  many  of  whom 
remember  him  with  gratitude. 


JOB   C.   JENNE. 

Son  of  Tolmon  and  Sylvia  (Larabee)  Jenne,  and  born  in  Derby  Centre,  Vt.,  October  7,.. 
1833.     His  grandfather,  James  Jenne,  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution. 

He  married  Angie  L.  Place,  the  widow  of  Cogswell  Place,  of  Company  A,  of  Alton, 
February  11,  1864.  No  children. 

He  was  at  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg.  Wounded 
in  last  named  battle  in  right  hip  by  a  musket  ball,  and  in  right  shoulder,  slightly,  by  piece 
of  shell,  and  never  performed  active  field  service,  except  for  a  short  time,  afterward. 


CAPT.   ORLANDO   W.   KEYES. 

This  officer  was  born  in  Hancock,  now  Bennington,  April  5,  1832,  and  was  the  son  of 
Jonathan  F.  and  Mary  (Woods)  Keyes.  He  was  the  oldest  of  a  family  of  ten  children, 
three  boys  and  seven  girls.  His  great-grandfather,  Abner  Keyes,  went  through  the 
Revolution  and  his  grandfather  enlisted  in  the  War  of  1812,  but  was  never  called  out. 

He  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg  and  was  killed  on  the  field  of  the  next  battle, 
Chancellorsville.  When  the  fatal  ball  struck  him,  he  was  in  the  act  of  cheering  his  men 
forward  by  swinging  his  sword  above  his  head.  While  so  doing  he  was  seen  to  leap  into 
the  air  and  to  fall  lifeless  to  the  ground.  He  had  previously  been  wounded  near  the  brook, 
by  a  ball  striking  him  in  the  calf  of  his  leg,  which  was  sufficiently  serious  for  him  to  leave 
the  field  of  action.  But  he  firmly  refused  to  do  what  he  honorably  might,  being  made  of 
different  temper.  His  brother,  Henry  F.,  was  a  member  of  the  same  company,  and  wounded 
severely  in  the  same  battle,  causing  his  death  two  years  later  (see  roster). 

Captain  Keyes  was  married  to  Sarah  L.  Ellis,  of  Plymouth,  who  died  before  the  war, 
and  had  one  child  (died  in  infancy). 

He  is  remembered  as  one  of  the  most  competent  and  energetic  officers  of  the  regiment,, 
and  his  death  was  a  great  loss  to  the  service  as  well  as  to  his  relatives  and  friends. 


JVezv  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


613 


B.  B.  L.  5-8. 
ABXER  C.  JONES. 


B.  B.  D.  ^- 
JOB  C.  JEXNK. 


B.  S.  I..  6-O. 
CAPT.  ORLANDO  W.  KEYES. 


614  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

AMBROSE   H.  MUDGETT. 

Born  in  Sandwich,  September  20,  1825,  and  was  the  son  of  Orlando  W.  and  Nancy 
(Hinds)  Mudgett. 

Married  first  to  Susan  Walker,  of  Lowell,  Mass. ;  children,  Delia  M.,  Edwin  O.,  and 
Phylena  M.  Married  second  to  Mary  E.  Campfield,  October  12,  1885  ;  one  child,  Irena  E. 

His  grandfather,  P^lisha  Mudgett,  was  a  captain  in  the  Revolution. 

This  soldier  was  sick  much  of  the  time  and  was  given  light  service  in  hospital  depart 
ment,  and  was  never  in  any  battle  except  Fredericksburg,  but  was  injured  by  falling  from 
the  stockade  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.  He  died  October  3,  1891,  at  Lakeport. 


HORACE   F.  PRESCOTT. 

Born  in  the  town  of  Bridgewater,  on  the  third  day  of  March,  1845,  and  the  only  son 
of  Silas  B.  and  Fidelia  J.  (Piper)  Prescott,  of  Wilmot,  and  had  two  sisters. 

He  was  wounded  severely  in  right  arm,  losing  part  of  the  bone,  in  the  battle  of  Chan- 
cellorsville,  and  died  of  small  pox  in  Washington,  January  22,  1864.  His  great-grand 
father,  Samuel  Prescott,  fought  against  the  English,  in  "  '76."  Samuel  S.  S.  Morrison,  of 
this  company  (see  roster),  married  one  of  his  sisters. 

His  record,  though  brief,  is  good. 


BVT.  LIEUT.  COL.  NATHANIEL  SHACKFORD.* 

This  heroic  officer,  son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Rand)  Shackford,  was  born  June  20, 
1827,  in  Portsmouth,  where  his  ancestors  from  England  had  settled  in  1662.  His  great 
grandfather  was  a  captain  and  enlisting  officer  in  the  Revolution,  and  rode  from  Newing- 
ton,  N.  II.,  to  New  York  ,after  he  was  seventy  years  old ;  and  he  possesses,  in  a  remarkable 
degree,  the  pluck  and  endurance  of  his  noted  progenitor. 

At  Chancellorsville,  wounded  slightly.  At  Gettysburg,  wounded  severely  in  left  wrist 
(the  ball  lodging  in  forearm,  where  it  still  remains),  he  wrapped  his  handkerchief  around 
it,  and  continued  the  fight ;  struck  again  by  another  bullet,  which  pierced  through  his  right 
groin,  he  still  refused  to  be  helped  to  the  rear,  and  not  until  a  third  ounce  of  lead  tears 
through  his  left  shoulder,  lodging  back  of  his  lung,  did  he  allow  himself  to  be  carried  on  a 
stretcher  from  the  field,  upon  which  he  was  no  longer  able  to  stand.  In  less  than  three 
months,  with  two  bullets  in  him,  he  reports  for  duty,  which  he  continues  to  do  until 
again  thrice  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor  :  First  by  a  grape  shot  destroying  elbow, 
three  inches  of  bone  taken  out  above  it ;  next  by  a  piece  of  shell  across  the  back,  cutting 
him  almost  in  two  ;  and  again  by  slight  bruise  on  left  hip.  Although  given  up  to  die  by 
everybody,  except  himself,  the  October  following  found  what  was  left  of  him  again  at  the 
front,  ready  for  battle  where  he  remained  in  active  field  service  to  the  close  of  the  war; 
riding  into  Richmond  (where  he  always  claimed  he  was  going  before  he  died)  as  major  of 
the  regiment. 

Although  he  went  through  (or  until  cut  down)  every  battle  of  importance  the  regi 
ment  was  engaged  in,  except  the  Siege  of  Petersburg,  and  was  seven  times  wounded,  and 
twice  killed  (  !  ),  yet  he  is  still  among  the  liveliest  of  the  living,  standing  as  erect  as  ever, 
hardly  up  to  the  army  standard,  while  his  fighting  weight,  bullets  and  all,  was  never  more 
than  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  pounds. 

Matchless  as  he  proved  himself  in  fighting  the  powers  of  rebeldom  and  death,  he 
finally  found  his  match  and  surrendered  a  willing  captive  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Martin,  of  Ports 
mouth,  by  whom  he  has  one  son,  Frank  M.,  who  is  past  commander  of  the  New  Hampshire 
Division  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  and  evidently  a  "  chip  of  the  old  block." 

•He  was  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  State  National  Guards  for  three  years,  and  colonel  of  same  com 
mand  for  five  years.  He  has  also  acted  as  secretary  of  the  New  Hampshire  Veterans'  Association  for 
eighteen  years. 


Nc-w  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


6i5 


D.   Bk.    L.   5—9. 
AMBROSE     II.   MUDGETT. 


DB.   J.B.   L.    5-6. 
HORACE    F.    1'RESCOT 


n.  B.  L.  5-4 1-. 

B\'T.    LIEUT.   COL.   NAT.     SIIACKFORD. 


616  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

BVT.  CAPT.  EDWARD   I,.  SHEPARD. 

Youngest  child  of  John  C.  and  Almira  S.  (Shepard)  Shepard ;  born  in  Holderness 
(now  Ashland),  May  3,  1842. 

Married  March  8,  1866,  to  Martha  L.  Blair,  of  Campton.     No  children. 

In  every  march,  skirmish,  and  battle  of  the  regiment  from  Concord,  1862,  to  Concord, 
1865,  which  can  not  be  said  of  but  two  or  three  officers  on  the  rolls  of  the  Twelfth.  When 
the  color  bearers  fell  at  Gettysburg,  he  and  Worthen,  of  the  same  company,  volunteered 
to  carry  them,  which  they  did,  through  the  rest  of  the  battle  and  all  the  time  until  the  fall 
of  1864. 

Captain  Shepard  is  a  man  of  deeds  rather  than  words,  and  one  of  those  valuable  few, 
who,  having  the  hard  twist  of  the  pure  fiber  in  his  own  fabric,  detests  "  shoddy  "  in  every 
form  and  color.  He  has  the  firmness  and  simplicity  of  a  Grant,  and  was,  of  course,  a  brave 
and  reliable  soldier,  as  he  is  to-day  one  of  the  best  of  citizens. 


ALBERT   Y.  SMYTH. 

This  noble  hearted  soldier  was  the  oldest  of  the  seven  children  of  Horatio  N.  and 
Eliza  L.  (Smyth)  Smyth.  Born  in  Holderness,  February  4,  1839,  and  died  at  3  o'clock 
on  the  morning  of  January  12,  1863,  at  Falmouth,  Va. 

He  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  where,  having  but  partially  recovered  from 
the  measles,  the  exposure  and  excitement  of  the  bivouac  and  battle  undoubtedly  hastened 
his  death.  He  wrote  a  letter  a  few  days  before  his  death  to  Samuel  W.  Howe,  then  of 
Holderness,  dated  December  28.  1862,  telling  him  about  the  sickness  and  expected  death 
of  George  M.  Annable  (see  sketch),  but  died  first.  Between  him  and  Amiable  a  very 
strong  attachment  of  friendship  had  grown  up  as  they  lay  side  by  side  on  their  sick  cots 
in  the  regimental  hospital.  They  used  to  spend  hours  in  talking  about  the  improba 
bilities  of  their  recovery  and  of  being  resigned  to  the  fate  they  believed  awaited  them.  So 
strong  was  their  attachment  for  each  other  that  they  refused  to  be  separated,  even  when 
death  seemed  approaching,  but  seemed  to  cling  closer  to  each  other. 

He  had  a  natural  gift  for  music,  being  when  at  home  a  member  of  one  or  two  brass 
bands.  His  grandfather,  Caleb  Smyth,  was  in  the  War  of  1812.  One  of  his  comrades 
says  of  him,  "  You  cannot  speak  too  highly  of  him  and  his  many  excellent  qualities." 


RICHARD   G.   STEARNS. 

This  only  son  of  Anthony  T.  and  Nancy  (Gove)  Stearns  was  born  in  Plymouth,  where 
he  has  always  resided,  October  22,  1838. 

In  every  battle  and  march  of  the  regiment,  except  Gettysburg  and  its  campaign,  which 
occurred  while  he  was  suffering  from  a  wound  received  at  Chancellorsville,  where  he  had 
his  knapsack  shot  off  on  the  retreat ;  and  he  came  home  with  the  valiant  few  who  followed 
the  colors,  when  able  to  do  so,  from  1862  to  1865. 

Married  December  24, 1871,  to  Elizabeth  J.,  daughter  of  George  Flanders,  of  Plymouth, 
their  three  children  all  dying  in  infancy.  And  now,  at  this  writing,  he  too  is  near  the  end  of 
life's  march,  weary,  worn,  but  patiently  waiting  to  bivouac  among  the  "silent  tents  of  green." 

The  nickname,  "  Noble  Dick,"  given  him  by  his  appreciative  comrades,  will  be  his 
highest  eulogy.  Farmer,  brickmaker,  and  postmaster. 

His  death,  since  the  above  was  written,  occurred  January  7,  1893.  A  brave  and  noble 
heart  has  ceased  to  beat. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


617 


Bk.   S.   L.   6— O. 
BVT.    CAPT.    EDWARD    I..    SIIEPARD. 


G.    LB.   L.   5-72- 
ALBERT    V.   SMYTH. 


B.    L.    I.B.    5-9^. 
RICHARD    G.    STEARNS. 


618  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

CORP.    HEZEKIAH   M.    SWAIN. 

Son  of  John  and  Priscilla  (Bickford)  Swain,  and  born  in  Meredith,  in  1822,  and  died 
at  Etna,  September  16,  1894,  of  paralysis  and  heart  disease.  His  grandfather,  by  the  same 
name,  served  in  the  AVar  of  the  Revolution. 

Taken  sick,  soon  after  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  in  which  he  participated,  and  was 
discharged  the  next  spring  as  there  was  little  prospect  of  his  being  able  to  do  active  duty 
for  a  long  time,  if  ever.  He  took  a  pride  in  militaxy  displays,  and  was  an  officer  in  several 
companies  under  the  old  state  militia. 

Married  October  28,  1847,  to  Hannah  Pitman,  and  their  only  two  children,  Clara  D. 
and  Eva  J.  Miller,  are  both  living.  lie  is  spoken  of  as  a  worthy  man. 


GUST  A  V  US   R.   TO  BINE. 

Parents  were  George  W.  and  Mary  (Spiller)  Tobine,  and  he  was  born  in  New  Hamp 
ton,  in  1844.  His  brothers,  Norman  B.  and  Thaddeus  A.,  were  in  the  Sixth  Regiment, 
New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 

He  was  so  severely  injured  in  left  arm  at  Chancellorsville,  that  he  was  maimed  for  life. 
Rejoined  the  regiment  at  Williamsburg,  and  after  this  he  was  with  it  all  through  to  the  end, 
and  ranked  as  one  of  the  best  of  his  company. 

He  was  married  to  Sarah  Barber,  as  understood,  soon  after  the  war,  and  his  children 
were,  Norman  B.,  Mary  E.,  Emma  A.,  Lumen  G.,  Thaddeus  A.,  and  George  W. 

Died  of  pneumonia  in  Bridgewater,  February  19,  1881. 


JOSEPH   B.   TUPPER. 

Anna  F.  Church  who  belonged,  by  descent,  to  a  military  family,  married  Roswell 
Tupper,  and  bore  him  four  boys  and  two  girls  ;  and  he,  whose  boyish  face  is  pictured  here, 
and  who  seems  earnestly  watching  you  as  you  read  his  record,  became  the  fourth  child,  at 
Campton,  November  6,  1846.  His  great-grandfather,  Thomas  (or  Nathaniel)  Tupper, 
came  from  Georgetown,  Mass.,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Campton,  and  helped 
found  the  first  church  in  the  town. 

In  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville.  Wounded  at  Chancellorsville,  in  left  hand, 
and  never  with  the  regiment  afterward  (see  roster).  A  brother,  William  II.,  in  Company 
A,  Sixth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  was  slightly  wounded  at  Second  Bull  Run  by  minie 
ball  in  right  knee.  His  father  and  another  brother  were  in  California  fighting  the  Indians, 
for  a  time,  during  the  war. 

Susan  M.  Warner,  of  Stoneham,  Mass.,  became  his  wife  November  30,  1871,  and  has 
no  children. 

WILLIAM   B.   WELCH. 

Though  courage  and  pluck  are  often  used  synonymously  and  either  word  is  a  dictionary 
definition  of  the  other,  yet  according  to  their  radical  import,  is  there  not  this  important  differ 
ence  ?  A  brave  man  will  not  run  until  he  is  hurt,  but  a  plucky  man  will  not  run  if  he  is 
hurt.  No  one  can  be  plucky  who  is  not  brave,  but  it  is  n't  every  brave  man  who  is  plucky. 
To  be  a  good  fighter,  one  must  have  not  only  the  courage  to  strike,  but  the  pluck  to  stick. 
General  Grant  had  both,  but  no  more  so  than  the  humble  private  soldier  whose  pictured  face 
appears  near  this  sketch.  He  can  be  seen  here  with  something  of  the  same  stern  and  deter 
mined  cast  of  countenance,  as  his  captain  has  often  observed  of  him  when  in  line  of  battle  as 
he  stood  facing  the  enemy  ;  the  chief  difference  being  that  he  does  not  look  quite  so  cross. 

Born  January  7,  1834,  and  his  parents,  William  and  Mary  H.  (Welch),  then  resided  in 
Plymouth. 

Married  March  16,  1858,  to  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  Daniel  S.  Gordon,  of  New  Hampton. 
Children,  William  S.,  Edward  G.,  Florence  Q.,  and  Clara  B.  T. 

Notwithstanding  the  hardships  and  dangers  of  a  stormy  voyage,  he  sailed  safely 
through  everything  from  Concord  to  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  near  which  his  staunch  craft  was 
struck  by  a  resistless  cyclone  and  so  badly  damaged  that  he  was  obliged  to  lay  up  there  for 


Ne-w  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


619 


B.    D.    L.    5-1  I  . 
CORP.    HEZEKIAII     M.    S\VAIN. 


Bk.    B.    D.    5  -IO. 
OUSTAVUS    R.   TOBINE. 


B.    B.    I,.   5-8. 
JOSKI'II    B.    TUPPER. 


620  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

repairs.  Eight  wounds  from  five  minie  balls,  in  about  fifteen  minutes,  are  too  hot  and  quick 
for  even  "  Bill  Welch,"  and  he  concludes  to  "lay  low  "  ;  but  the  bull-dog  grit  is  left,  and  he 
would  still  swap  lead  with  the  Johnnies,  if  his  left  awn  was  not  broken  by  a  bullet  that  has 
passed  through  it  and  lodged  in  his  breast.  A  minute  before,  his  right  leg  was  struck  below 
the  knee,  rendering  it  useless.  He  now  crawls  back  a  piece  into  some  bushes,  and  feeling 
faint,  commences  to  drink  from  his  canteen  when  another  minie  ball  inflicts  a  severe 
wound  in  his  head,  and  about  the  same  time  he  thinks,  but  probably  before,  he  receives 
two  slight  wounds  in  the  groins.  He  was  also  wounded  quite  severely  in  shoulder  and  side 
by  the  same  bullet,  above  described,  that  struck  his  head. 

While  thus  "  slugged  and  plugged,"  with  rebel  lead,  he  lay  near  the  field  hospital  the 
next  day  patiently  awaiting  to  have  his  wounds  dressed  (the  surgeons  delaying  his  case 
until  the  last,  thinking  it  a  hopeless  one),*  he  made  an  attempt,  it  is  said,  and  actually  did 
crawl  some  little  distance  to  get  a  loaded  gun,  stacked  near  by,  to  shoot  an  officer  that  he 
saw  abusing  some  wounded  soldiers.  That  he  would  have  carried  out  his  intention,  if  his 
strength  had  been  equal  to  his  will,  none  who  knew  him  will  doubt.  At  Point  Lookout, 
he  shot  a  man  who  undertook  to  run  the  guard,  and  came  near  firing  at  one  of  the  field 
officers.  And  here  again  we  find,  in  this  true  but  humble  soldier,  one  of  the  important 
elements  of  military  renown,  so  markedly  characteristic  of  Grant.  He  fearlessly  acted  his 
convictions  of  the  present,  regardless  of  all  ifs  or  buts  about  the  future. f 

He  died  in  Bristol,  October  11,  1883,  from  what  Dr.  Fowler  certified  to  be  "physical 
exhaustion  resulting  from  his  wounds."  Buried  in  New  Hampton  cemetery. 


JOHN   O.    WOODMAN. 

Born  in  New  Hampton,  and  was  a  student  there  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment.  His 
parents  were  Benjamin  P.  and  Elizabeth  M.  (Hill)  Woodman. 

In  all  the  battles  of  the  regiment,  after  it  left  Point  Lookout.  Wounded  slightly  at 
Cold  Harbor,  but  not  enough  to  be  disabled  from  duty. 

Married  Mary  P.  Foster,  of  Lebanon,  January  1,  1870  (deceased).  Married  his  second 
wife,  Sarah  W.  Haskins,  of  Enfield,  May  3,  1872. 


LIEUT.   GEORGE   E.   WORTHEN. 

If  there  were  better  soldiers  than  this  brave  and  patriotic  officer,  the  reader  need  not  hunt 
for  them  in  this  or  any  other  company  of  the  regiment.  He  was  born  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  May 
26,  1843,  and  is  the  son  of  Ezekiel  B.  and  Emeline  S.  (Draper)  Worthen.  His  grandfather 
Worthen  was  in  the  French  and  Indian  War,  and  was  a  captain  in  the  Revolution  ;  also  his 
grandfather  Draper  was  in  the  Revolution.  This  shows  the  blood  that  flows  in  his  veins. 

He  was  in  every  engagement  of  the  regiment,  except,  perhaps,  Bermuda  Hundred, 
when  he  was  absent  on  detail,  and  yet  was  never  wounded.  At  Chancellorsville  a  bullet 
passed  through  his  blanket  roll,  another  through  his  canteen,  cutting  out  the  middle  initial 
of  his  name,  and  a  buck  shot  through  his  haversack.  At  Gettysburg  he  was  struck  quite 
hard,  and,  after  taking  the  colors,  a  bullet  went  through  his  pant  leg  below  the  left  knee. 
He  was  never  in  hospital  and  never  off  duty  but  one  week,  and  then  at  Point  Lookout.  He 
was  acting  commissary  of  regiment  for  a  while,  post  commissary  at  Manchester,  and  Dan 
ville,  Va.  He  was  first  promoted  for  his  gallant  conduct  on  the  field  of  Gettysburg.^ 
Served  in  New  York  Battery  a  while  at  Point  Lookout. 

September  6,  1866,  he  married  Lizzie  W.,  daughter  of  John  Nutter,  of  Portsmouth, 
and  his  children  are  Lucy  E.,  Lizzie  M.,  George  E.,  Jr.,  Walter  E.,  Julia  N.,  and  Laura  D. 

Since  the  war  he  has  lived  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  and  been  employed  as  grocer  and  overseer 
in  United  States  Cartridge  Works.  He  has  been  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  Lowell 
Mechanic  Phalanx  and  a  member  of  Sixth  Regiment  Massachusetts  Infantry,  and  has 
proved  himself  one  of  the  best  long-range  sharpshooters  in  the  state,  being  leader  in  the 
"Lowell  team  "  for  several  years. 

*Dr.  Fowler  says  his  wounds  were  not  dressed  until  he  reached  White  House  Landing,  twelve 
miles  from,  and  a  day  or  two  after,.Cold  Harbor,  the  surgeons  there  refusing  to  do  anything  for  him. 

t  See  incident  of  him,  page  396.  t  See  History  of  the  Colors,  page  376. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


621 


B.   B.   I..   5-7. 
WILLIAM    B.   WELCH. 


B.    B.    L.    5~IO. 
JOHN    O.    WOODMAN. 


B.   R.    L.   5-8. 
LIEUT.   GEOKGE    E.    WOKTHEN.. 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

PORTRAITS  AND  SKETCHES — Continued. 


COMPANY   F. 

In  the  organization  of  this  company  Pittsfield,  Loudon,  and  North- 
wood  figured  prominently,  while  Canterbury  and  Northfield  sent  fifteen 
men  to  fill  out  the  company.  All  the  men  in  this  company  were  originally 
furnished  from  the  counties  of  Merrimack  and  Rockingham.  Various 
town  meetings  were  holden  at  Pittsfield  concerning  her  quota  prior  to 
August  23,  1862,  and  on  that  day  a  special  town  meeting  was  called. 

The  selectmen  were  authorized  by  the  town  to  pay  three  hundred 
dollars'  bounty  to  each  volunteer  filling  up  the  quota  of  the  call  of  the 
president  for  three  hundred  thousand  men  to  serve  three  years,  and 
that  the  money  for  paying  the  bounties  be  borrowed  on  the  credit  of  the 
town.  Sylvanus  Smith,  who,  with  the  assistance  of  H.  A.  L.  French, 
enlisted  most  of  the  men  from  this  town,  had  been  acting  as  town  clerk, 
but  on  account  of  his  enlistment  resigned.  Resolutions  were  adopted  at 
meetings  held  in  the  other  towns  contributing  to  this  company,  and  at  one 
in  Northwood,  August  26,  1862,  the  following  was  voted:  To  pay  two 
hundred  dollars'  bounty  to  each  volunteer  from  this  town  who  shall  be 
mustered  into  the  service  ;  provided  such  person  shall  enlist,  or  shall  have 
enlisted,  since  the  eleventh  of  August,  1862.  The  selectmen  were  author 
ized  to  hire  money  for  this  purpose. 

The  officers  were  selected  mostly  from  Pittsfield,  and  were  placed  as 
follows  :  John  F.  Langley,  who  had  served  one  year  in  the  Third  New 
Hampshire  as  lieutenant,  was  elected  captain,  with  Sylvanus  Smith  and 
Henry  A.  L.  French  as  lieutenants.  Sergeants,  Andrew  M.  Heath, 
Charles  A.  Kelley,  George  C.  Parsons,  George  F.  Lane,  and  Solon  G. 
Blaisdell ;  corporals,  Albert  C.  Evans,  Benjamin  F.  Wells,  William  H. 
Hillsgrove,  William  A.  Dow,  Charles  S.  Emery,  John  W.  Johnston, 
Charles  H.  Brock,  and  Frank  M.  Gay.  Asa  W.  Bartlett  acted  as 
musician  and  Jeremiah  Dennett  as  wagoner.  On  December  30,  1862, 
John  Blake,  a  fifer  in  Company  B,  was  transferred  to  this  company  as 
another  musician. 

This  company  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service,  September 
5,  1862,  and  together  with  Company  G,  was  left  on  the  field  of  Chan- 
cellorsville,  Saturday  night,  when  the  regiment  changed  position,  and 
were  saved  from  capture  by  the  promptness  of  Colonel  Marsh.* 

*See  page  73. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers.  623 

CAPT.  ASA    W.  BARTLETT. 

This  officer,  the  son  of  Richard  and  Caroline  O.  (Williams)  Bartlett,  was  born  in 
Epping,  August  29,  1839,  he  being  the  youngest  of  nine  children,  of  whom  Bradley  H.  was 
a  physician,  and  who  lived  and  died  in  Amherst  and  also  had  served  as  hospital  steward 
during  the  war  in  the  New  Hampshire  Heavy  Artillery.  Captain  Bartlett,  before  the 
war,  taught  school  and  studied  law  in  Quincy,  111.,  but  returning  home  in  the  spring  of 
1862,  immedately  enlisted  in  this  regiment. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville,*  Swift  Creek,  Relay  House,  Drury's  Bluff,f 
and  Port  Walthall.  lie  was  never  wounded,  except  slightly  by  a  spent  bullet  at  the  battle 
of  Chancellorsville.  During  the  summer  and  fall  of  1864  he  acted  as  signal  officer,  and 
while  in  charge  of  the  towers  on  the  Appomattox  and  James  rivers,  had  some  thrilling 
experiences-! 

He  was  married  December  4,  1867,  to  Finette  A.,  daughter  of  John  Doe,  of  Pittsfield, 
by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Richard  B.,  whose  mother  died  July  2,  1894. 

This  soldier  simply  tried  to  do  his  duty.  References  to  him  will  be  found  on  pages 
407,  414-415,  422,  433-435,  445,  and  in  several  other  places  in  the  history. 


STEPHEN  W.  BACHELDER. 

Son  of  Jonathan  and  Lois  (Wells)  Bachelder,  and  was  born  in  Loudon  in  1820. 

He  was  taken  sick  on  the  march  to  Falmouth,  Va.,  near  Warrington,from  which  place 
he  was  sent,  with  other  sick  ones,  to  Washington,  but  died  on  the  cars  before  reaching 
there,  November  17,  1862.  He  marched  as  long  as  he  was  able  to  stand  up,  being  pushed 
forward  by  the  rear  guard  when  as  it  seemed,  as  it  afterward  proved,  he  was  seriously  sick 
and  in  a  suffering  and  dangerous  condition.  He  died  for  his  country  as  much  as  if  lie  had 
fallen  on  the  field  of  battle,  and  his  name  and  memory  should  be  honored  and  revered. 


WILLIAM   T.  BACHELDER. 

Brother  of  Stephen  W.,  whose  family  record  appears  above,  and  was  born  in  London, 
September  25,  1823.  Married  first  to  Mehitable  Berry,  of  Pittsfield,  who  died  not  many 
years  after  the  war.  He  had  one  son,  Albert,  also  deceased.  Second  wife  was  Hannah  C. 
Buckman,  whose  maiden  name  was  Danielson. 

He  was  in  every  battle  and  always  present  for  duty  from  Concord,  N.  H.,  to  Cold 
Harbor,  Va.,  where  he  was  disabled  by  a  severe  wound  in  left  shoulder,  and  never 
returned  to  his  regiment  afterward.  Also  slightly  wounded  at  Chancellorsville  and  Gettys 
burg,  but  kept  along  with  his  company  when  many  others  would  have  been  in  hospital. 
After  his  discharge  he  returned  to  his  farm  home  in  Pittsfield,  where  he  continued  to 
reside  until  his  death  (see  roster). 

There  were  few  better  soldiers  in  this  company  or  in  the  whole  regiment  than  was  the 
subject  of  this  sketch.  You  could  always  look  and  expect  to  find  him  at  the  post  of  duty, 
though  ofttimes  he  grumbled  at  the  way  that  duty  was  ordered  or  performed. 

An  incident  characteristic  of  him,  who  was  then  in  the  writer's  mind  as  the  one 
related  to,  may  be  found  written  earlier  in  this  history.  || 

*  See  History  of  Colors,  page  374,  et  seq.   t  See  Drury's  Bluff,  page  182.    t  See  Signal  Service,  pages  380-386. 

II  See  page  414. 


624  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

BVT.  LIEUT.  SOLON   G.  BLAISDELL. 

Here  is  a  very  good  picture  of  an  extra  good  soldier.  Blessed  with  a  remarkably 
sound  constitution,  that  gave  him  lasting  powers  of  endurance,  and  a  disposition  to  per 
form  faithfully  his  part  so  long  as  able,  he  was  always  present  for  duty  except  when 
disabled  by  wounds,  and  fought  on  every  battle-field  where  his  regiment  did,  excepting 
the  Siege  of  Petersburg,  when  he  was  sick  with  wound  in  left  arm  received  at  Cold  Harbor. 

Birth,  February  11,  1834,  at  Danville,  Vt.  Parents,  Greenlief  C.  and  Emeline 
(Babbitt)  Blaisdell.  His  grandfather,  Isaac  Babbitt,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution. 

Married,  December  17,  1859,  to  Anna  G.,  daughter  of  John  Clarke,  of  Pittsfield,  and 
sister  of  Benjamin  W.  in  the  same  company  (see  sketch).  Children,  Frank  E.,  John  C., 
Emma  G.,  and  Elmer  Y.,  none  of  whom  are  living  but  the  oldest. 

Occupation  before  enlistment  and  for  some  time  after  discharge,  a  harness-maker. 

He  moved  to  California  a  few  years  after  the  war,  and  after  a  while  bought  a  ranch  in 
San  Diego  county,  and  became  a  successful  farmer  and  fruit  grower. 

Of  his  battle  experience  it  may  be  further  said  that  he  was  also  wounded  by  a  ball  in 
left  breast,  over  the  heart,  at  Cold  Harbor,  and  which,  but  for  his  diary,  roll-book,  and 
his  wife's  picture,  would  have  killed  him.  He  was  knocked  senseless  and  lay  until  after 
the  retreat  of  the  regiment,  and  then  in  getting  back  to  the  rear  was  shot  in  left  arm. 

Since  the  above  was  written  this  brave  and  hardy  soldier  has  had  to  yield  to  the 
inevitable.  He  died  April  6,  1897. 


ABIEL   B.  BROWN. 

One  of  a  family  of  ten  children,  seven  boys  and  three  girls,  and  his  parents  were  Amos 
and  Hannah  (Clifford)  Brown. 

He  was  wounded  slightly  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  and  was  also  in  most  of  the 
engagements  of  the  regiment.  His  brother,  True  C.,  was  in  the  same  company  (see 
sketch). 

Since  the  war  he  has  been  employed  on  the  Western  Division  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  as  engineer,  and  for  his  post-office  address  see  roster. 

He  was  a  good  and  faithful  soldier,  and  served  until  the  fall  of  the  Southern 
Confederacy. 


CALEB  BROWN. 

Brother  of  Samuel  Brown  and  Charles  M.  (see  sketches),  of  Companies  C  and  D.  Born 
in  Bow  in  the  year  1839. 

In  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg,  but  was  taken  sick 
soon  after,  and  was.  sent  to  general  hospital  in  Baltimore,  where  his  father,  who  went  out 
after  him,  got  a  furlough  for  him  and  brought  him  home,  or  as  far  as  his  sister's,  Mrs. 
Hutchings,  in  Concord,  where  he  died  in  about  a  week,  of  chronic  diarrhoea,  from  which  he 
had  been  suffering  for  a  long  time.  He  was  sick  enough  to  be  in  bed  on  the  march  to 
Gettysburg,  but  heroically  kept  along  with  the  regiment  and  fought  his  last  battle  on  that 
decisive  field.  All  honor  to  his  fidelity  and  praise  for  his  bravery. 


TRUE   C.  BROWN. 

This  soldier  is  the  brother  of  Abiel  B.  Brown,  of  the  same  company  (see  sketch). 
He  was  in  almost  every  battle  to  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was  killed  on  the  field. 
His  comrades  remember  him  with  sorrow  for  his  death.     He  was  brave,  faithful,  and 
true. 


Nciv  Hampshire  Volunteers 


625 


B.    I?.    L.   5-4.1. 
CAPT.   ASA    W.    RARTLETT. 


B.    D.  L.   5-3!. 
STEPHEN    \V.   BACHELDER. 


B.   D.   L.   5-4. 
WILLIAM    T.    BACHELDER. 


m 

I 


B.   D.    L.    ^-S. 
BVT.   LIEUT.    SOI.OX    G.    BLAISDELI. 


B.    L.   L.   6-O. 
ABIEL    P.   BROWN'. 


626  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

ASA  O.  CARR 

Is  the  son  of  Isaac  S.  and  Lucinda  J.  (Osgood)  Carr,  born  in  Gilinanton,  October  31,  1842. 
His  ancestors  on  both  sides  have  been  prominent  in  the  military  records  of  the  state,  and 
his  great-grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  our  struggle  for  national  independence. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  also  fought  at  Gettysburg, 
where  he  received  a  severe  wound  by  musket  ball  passing  through  his  body  and  right 
lung ;  but  a  brave  heart  and  strong  constitution  saved  him  from  an  early  grave,  and  he 
still  lives  to  remember  and  lament  many  of  his  brave  comrades  whose  hearts  have  long 
since  ceased  to  beat. 

At  Chancellorsville  his  cap  was  shot  from  his  head  by  his  file  leader,  into  whose  place 
he  stepped  as  the  other  fell  back  a  pace  or  two  before  discharging  his  musket  and  the 
next  moment  fell  dead.*  He  was  also  wounded  in  this  battle  by  a  piece  of  shell ;  a  bullet 
hit  him  in  the  ankle,  which,  after  cutting  his  pant  leg  and  stocking  partly  off,  lodged  in 
his  boot. 

lie  was  married  October  31,  1871,  to  Vena  II.,  daughter  of  Samuel  D.  Perkins,  of 
Pittsfield,  where  they  now  reside  with  their  home  blessed  and  brightened  by  one  child, 
Alice  M. 

Occupation,  a  carpenter,  and  his  sterling  worth  is  appreciated  by  all  who  know  him. 


CORP.  BENJAMIN  W.  CLARKE. 

This  faithful  soldier  was  born  in  Pittsfield,  November  2,  1828,  and  is  the  third  of  the 
nine  children,  of  John  and  Asenath  (Wells)  Clarke,  of  whom  four  were  boys.  His  father 
was  captain  in  the  state  militia,  and  his  grandfather,  Stephen  Wells,  served  in  the  Revo 
lutionary  War. 

Married  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of  Jonathan  E.  Brown,  of  Northwood,  November 
7,  1849.  Children,  Mary  E.,  Abbie  A.,  Annie  H.,  and  John  W. 

He  served  in  the  hospital  department  until  the  spring  of  1864,  after  which  he  followed 
the  flag  through  the  battles  of  Swift  Creek,  Relay  House,  Drury's  Bluff,  and  Port  Walthall 
to  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was  severely  wounded  in  right  hip,  and  lay  all  day  on  the  field 
exposed  for  some  time  —  until  he  crawled  into  a  vedette  hole  —  to  the  enemy's  fire.  Also 
at  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg,  assisting  the  surgeons  on  the  field. 
At  Point  Lookout  he  acted  for  a  while  as  teacher  and  inspector  at  Contraband  Camp. 
Returning  to  the  front  as  soon  as  his  wound  permitted,  he  remained  with  his  regiment, 
doing  light  duty,  to  the  end  of  the  war.  He  was  the  friend  of  Chaplain  Ambrose,  and  has 
a  watch  which  he  greatly  prizes  as  a  gift  from  his  hand.  He  also  has  his  saddle  and 
bridle,  procured  after  his  death. 

He  died  since  the  above  was  written,  July  23,  1897. 


FREDERICK    E.  COPP. 

This  soldier  is  the  great-grandson  of  Solomon  Copp,  who  came  from  Amesbury,  Mass., 
and  after  living  three  years  in  the  fort  at  Canterbury,  removed  to  Sanbornton,  being  the 
second  settler  in  that  town.  His  son,  Thomas,  grandfather  of  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a 
soldier  of  the  Revolution,  and,  as  seems  true  from  best  information,  had  the  honor  of  being 
complimented  by  General  Washington  for  not  allowing  him  to  pass  the  guard  that  Copp 
had  charge  of  without  the  countersign.  Maternal  grandfather,  David  Wilmont,  of  Thet- 
ford,  Vt.,  was  also  in  the  Revolution. 

Frederick  E.  is  the  tenth  of  the  eleven  children  of  Amos  and  Lois  (Wilrnont)  Copp, 
and  was  born  in  Sanbornton  (now  Tilton),  September  1,  1843. 

In  Eredericksburg,  also  Chancellorsville,  where  he  was  slightly  wounded  in  thigh,  and 
severely  by  musket  ball  in  right  leg,  and  lay  four  days  before  he  was  removed  from  the 
field  where  he  fell.  In  hospital,  after  this,  in  different  places  until  discharged. 

*See  sketch  of  John  Merrill,  pago  642. 


eiu  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


627 


B.  Bk.  I).  6-O. 
CALEB  BROUN. 


B.  S.  S.  5-10. 
TRUE  C.  BROWN. 


B.  s.  i..  5-7. 

ASA  O.  CARR. 


G.  Bk.  D.  ^-7. 
CORP.  BENJAMIN  W.  CI.AKKK. 


628  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Three  brothers  in  Union  army :  Amos  K.,'  Eighth  Xevv  Hampshire  Volunteers,, 
wounded  at  Port  Hudson  ;  Nathaniel  B.,  Fourteenth  United  States  Regulars,  killed  at 
Gettysburg  after  being  in  every  battle  of  General  Sykes's  division;  and  Luther  C.,  in  the 
Fifth  Xe\v  Hampshire  Volunteers. 

Rev.  Mr.  Runnells,  in  his  history  of  Sanbornton,  says  :  "  Few  families,''  referring  to- 
this,  "  can  show  a  better  war  record  than  this,  four  sons  and  four  sons-in-law  being  in  the 
army,  and  all  standing  at  their  posts ;  of  whom  one  son  was  killed  and  two  wounded,  one 
son-in-law  died  from  wounds,  and  two  died  in  the  service  from  disease." 

Of  these  sons  by  marriage,  Lyman  B.  Evans,  Eighth  Vermont  Volunteers,  died  of 
wounds  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  August,  1863 ;  Samuel  W.  Hoyt  served  in  Second  New 
Hampshire  Volunteers  ;  Charles  W.  Merrill,  Sixth  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  died  in  service  ; 
and  William  H.  Weeks,  Second  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  who  died  in  Washington, 
D.  C.,  from  disease  contracted  in  the  army. 

Married  June  16,  1878,  to  Mary  L.,  daughter  of  Joshua  R.  Morrill,  of  Belmont,  who 
was  a  soldier  of  the  War  of  1812,  and  his  father,  Levi,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  No 
children,  but  it  is  a  pity  that  they  have  not  one  son,  at  least,  to  represent  the  family  and 
keep  up  the  patriotic  line  in  the  next  war  with  England. 

Occupation  since  discharge,  running  a  sawmill  in  London  and  sash  and  blind  manu 
factory  in  Tilton.  He  was  also  selectman  and  supervisor  of  London  several  years,  and 
postmaster  at  Grafton  Centre  during  Cleveland's  first  administration.  Now  a  resident  of 
Belmont. 

Who  will  say  that  his  life  has  not  been  "  time  honored  and  improved  "  ? 


CORP.  JOHN    R.  DAVIS 

Was  born  in  Eliot,  Me.,  June  13,  1825,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Parsons)' 
Davis  and  the  grandson  of  Samuel  Davis,  a  veteran  of  the  War  of  1812. 

He  was  in  every  battle  from  Fredericksburg  to  Drury's  Bluff,  Va.,  where  he  was 
severely  wounded  and  crippled  for  life  by  bullet  through  left  ankle.  He  helped  save  the 
colors  at  Gettysburg,*  and  was  on  the  color  guard  all  the  time  after  this  until  wounded. 

Married  to  Rachel,  daughter  of  William  Luthbary,  of  Fairton,  N.  J.  His  children  are 
Charles  W.,  Ellen  L.,  Mary  B.,  and  John  C.,  who  are  all  married. 

Though  below  the  army  standard  in  feet  and  inches,  he  ranked  far  above  the  average 
as  a  brave  and  patriotic  soldier,  and  few  men  in  the  regiment  more  faithfully  served  his 
country  than  did  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  He  deserves  to  be  greatly  remembered,  not- 
only  as  a  faithful  and  gallant  soldier,  but  as  one  who  deserves  the  credit  of  helping  to  save 
the  regimental  colors  and  being  one  of  the  boys  in  blue  who  helped  to  save  the  nation. 


HENRY    F.  DAY. 

Son  of  John  E.  and  Hannah  (Davis)  Day,  born  October  14,  1838,  in  the  town  of  Dover.. 

Married  October  4,  1859,  to  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of  Thomas  T.  Gray.  Hi.s  children 
are  Nettie  A.,  Minnie  L,  Rosa  A.,  Annie  B.,  Jennie  B.,  Harry  L.,  and  Alice  M.,  four  of 
whom  are  living. 

Fought  with  the  musket  at  Fredericksburg,  and  at  Chancellorsville  had  a  wild  jump 
and  tumble  experience  in  charge  of  horses  and  mules  that  were  stampeded  by  Jackson's 
sudden  attack,  which  for  a  time  was  quite  as  exciting  and  dangerous  as  in  the  line  of 
battle.  At  Gettysburg  he  was  again  in  the  ranks,  and  so  severely  wounded  in  his  right  leg 
that  amputation  was  soon  found  necessary  to  save  his  life. 

This  soldier  comes  of  good  patriotic  stock,  his  great-grandfather  being  a  veteran  of 
1776,  and  his  record  shows  there  has  been  no  degeneracy.  With  just  pride  can  his  children* 
say,  "  My  father  lost  a  leg  at  Gettysburg." 

*Sce  pa?e  376. 


Hampshire  Volunteers. 


629 


B.    L.    L.   5~0£. 
FREDERICK    E.   COPP. 


B.   L.    I..   5-2  \. 
COUP.    JOHN'    R.    DAVIS. 


B.   D.   D.   5-15. 
HENRY    F.    DAY. 


630  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

ROBERT   F.  DEARBORN. 

Born  in  Canterbury  in  1836. 

At  Gettysburg  he  was  \vonnded  through  left  groin,  and  received  a  slight  shell  wound 
at  Chancellorsville  in  his  left  arm  where  his  knapsack  was  knocked  off  his  back  by  solid 
shot  or  shell. 

He  was  a  good  soldier,  and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  more  is  not  known  of  his  history. 


JONATHAN  c.  DRAKP:. 

Son  of  James  S.  and  Susan  F.  (Young)  Drake ;  born  in  Northwood,  January  2G,  1844, 
being  the  oldest  of  six  children,  the  boys  all  serving  in  the  Union  army  —  Justice  C.,  in 
Troop  B,  First  New  Hampshire  Cavalry,  captured  and  died  in  Andersonville  prison,  and 
James  B.  was  also  in  the  service. 

Soon  after  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  in  which  he  participated,  he  was  taken  sick 
and  gradually  grew  worse  until  he  became  so  reduced  in  flesh  and  strength,  that,  but  for 
the  intercession  of  one  of  his  comrades,  who  made  known  his  condition  to  the  colonel,  he, 
probably,  would  long  since  have  been  sleeping  beneath  the  soil  of  Virginia  instead  of  culti 
vating,  as  he  has  for  many  years,  the  soil  of  the  young  but  great  and  fast  growing  state  of 
Nebraska,  where  in  "single  blessedness  "  he  now  resides,  trusted  and  respected  by  all  who 
know  him.  From  a  letter  just  received  from  him  it  appears  that  tire  and  flood  have  made 
sad  havoc  of  his  earthly  possessions,  but  that  he  is  still  happy  in  the  Christian's  faith  that 
"whom  the  Lord  loveth  He  chasteneth." 

He  did  what  he  could,  and  who  can  do  more  ? 


CORP.  CHARLES   O.  DURGIN. 

Here  is  a  good  picture  of  a  good  soldier,  but  taken  of  him  when  wearing  a  heavier 
beard  than  earlier  years  could  give  him  while  in  the  army.  Though  slow  and  sober  in  his 
motions  and  looks,  neither  was  from  hesitancy  nor  fear  of  meeting  the  foe. 

He  is  the  son  of  Levi  and  Susan  O.  (Keniston)  Durgin,  and  was  born  March  11,  1844. 

lie  was  in  every  engagement  of  the  regiment  except  Gettysburg,  when  he  was  in 
hospital  sick  with  fever.  Rejoined  his  command  at  Point  Lookout,  and  was  one  of  the 
number  who  made  a  raid  across  the  river  into  Virginia.* 

On  the  morning  of  the  battle  of  Relay  House,  while  hastening  from  picket  to  rejoin 
his  comrades  already  in  line  of  battle,  his  cap  was  blown  from  his  head  by  the  wind  of  a 
cannon  ball,  which  was  the  closest  solid-shot  shave  he  ever  had,  though  many  spiteful  and 
swift-winged  minies  have  of  course  put  him  in  greater  jeopardy  of  life,  and  he  was  wounded 
severely  by  one  in  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor. 

He  married  Lucy  Shorey,  of  South  Berwick,  and  has  no  children. 

He  was  a  brave  and  faithful  soldier. 


BVT.  LIEUT.  CHARLES   S.  EMERY. 

Lieutenant  Emery  was  born  in  Stewartstown,  July  22,  1830.  His  father's  name  was- 
Enoch  and  his  mother's,  Abigail  Pickard. 

His  boyhood  was  passed  on  a  farm,  but  at  nineteen,  feeling  the  need  of  an  education, 
he  commenced  an  academic  course  at  Smithville  Seminary,  Rhode  Island,  where  he- 
remained  two  or  three  years,  and  then  entered  college  at  Spring  Arbor,  Mich.,  where  he- 
experienced  religion  and  commenced  studying  for  the  ministry.  His  health  failing,  he  was- 
obliged  to  give  up  his  studies  and  return  to  his  native  hills. 

April  5,  1855,  he  married  Sarah  A.  Garland,  of  Canterbury,  where  he  resided  at  the 
time  of  his  enlistment.  From  this  time  until  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  received 
his  mortal  wounds,  he  was  always  with  his  regiment  through  all  the  battles  and  marches,, 
never  being  absent  or  excused  from  duty  for  a  single  day. 

*See  page  158. 


Hampshire  Volunteers. 


631 


H.   D.    L.    ^-I 
ROBERT    F.    DEARBORN'. 


sfiiiitfifc 
B.    L.    L.   5-5. 

JONATHAN    C.    DRAKE. 


B.    P.    D.   5-7. 
CORP.   CHARLES    O.   DURGIN. 


632  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

At  Gettysburg  he  and  Corporal  Davis,  of  the  same  company,  were  the  first  ones,  after 
the  color  sergeants  and  guard  had  been  shot  down,  to  grasp  the  flags  and  carry  them  off 
just  in  time  to  save  them  from  capture.*  He  was  wounded  in  left  arm  and  hip  at  Cold 
Harbor,  and  remained  all  day  on  the  field  exposed  to  the  enemy's  fire.  Removed  by  his 
comrades  f  at  night  while  the  field  was  still  swept  by  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  pickets,  who 
had  an  excellent  mark  in  the  piece  of  white  tent  used  instead  of  a  stretcher.  He  asked 
them  to  leave  him  and  not  expose  themselves  to  what  seemed  to  be  certain  death,  thus 
manifesting  the  highest  exhibition  of  Christian  fortitude  and  tender  solicitude  for  the 
welfare  of  others.  He  was  sent  to  Carver  Hospital,  District  of  Columbia,  when,  after  his 
arm  was  amputated  and  ball  extracted  from  his  back,  hopes  were  entertained  of  his 
recovery  ;  but  his  earthly  mission,  so  faithfully  performed,  was  ended,  and  he  died,  as  he 
had  lived,  a  noble  example  and  type  of  honest  manhood  and  Christian  patriotism.]: 


CORP.  JOHN    A.  EMERSON. 

Here  is  the  picture  of  one  who,  with  the  parental  aid  and  early  advantages  of  some 
young  men,  might  have  become  famous  in  literature,  lie  first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light 
in  the  town  of  Xorthwood,  and  then  and  there  became  the  living  son  of  Daniel  E.  and 
Keziah  (Elkins)  Emerson. 

October  5,  1853,  he  married  Hannah  Day,  of  Northwood,  sister  of  AVilliam  H.  Day, 
who  served  in  the  same  company,  and  had  by  her  three  daughters,  Ella  A.,  Ida  F.,  and 
Mary  J.,  all  married.  Ida  F.  died  recently. 

He  fought  with  his  regiment  in  all  its  engagements  except  Cemetery  Hill,  when  he  was 
suffering  from  a  wound  received  July  4,  1864,  in  front  of  Petersburg,  losing  a  finger  of  his 
left  hand. 

He  was  the  wit  of  his  company  and  one  of  its  bravest  and  best  soldiers,  being  as  quick 
and  pointed  with  his  gun  as  his  tongue. ||  He  was  himself,  and  at  home  on  the  battle-field  ; 
and  at  Chancellorsville  he  fought  hard  and  long,  giving  the  rebels  full  four  score  or  more 
of  leaden  pills  to  cure  them  of  "secession."  Of  his  death  see  roster. 


LIEUT.  HENRY  A.  L.  FRENCH. 

This  brave  officer  was  born  in  Gilmanton,  January  6,  1833,  and  was  the  son  of  Hiram 
and  Lydia  W.  (Bachelder)  French,  and  the  twin  brother  of  Charles  G.  B.  French,  who 
died  in  infancy.  His  father  was  a  prosperous  merchant  and  farmer,  and  gave  his  son  a 
liberal  education  ;  he  died  on  the  old  French  homestead  in  Loudon,  where  he  then  resided, 
just  nineteen  days  before  his  son  fell  on  the  field  of  Gettysburg. 

After  becoming  of  age  Henry,  who  during  the  years  of  his  adolescence  had  assisted  his 
father  on  the  farm,  sought  and  found  employment  for  several  years  in  Boston,  Mass.,  becom 
ing,  in  the  meantime,  a  member  of  Park  Street  Church,  where  his  name  is  now  engraved 
on  a  tablet  record  of  those  who  died  for  their  country. 

After  a  few  years  in  the  West,  he  returned  to  Pittsfield,  where  his  marriage  to  Sarah  G., 
daughter  of  Thomas  Clough,  of  Canterbury,  occurred  February  14,  1861.  Seven  months 
later  he  enlisted,  and  the  spring  following  his  wife  died. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  preceding  the  prolonged 
and  terrible  struggle  of  Gettysburg,  where  he  fell  on  the  second  day  in  the  very  vortex  of 
battle,  just  as  the  Third  Corps,  broken  at  the  fatal  angle  in  the  Peach  Orchard,  was  being 
driven  back  from  its  advanced  position  on  the  Emniettsburg  road  by  the  overpowering 
onslaught  of  General  Longstreet's  massed  legions  upon  both  front  and  flank.  He  was  a 
brave  and  faithful  officer,  ambitious  to  win  the  good-will  of  his  superiors  by  strict  devotion 
to  duty  in  the  camp  and  on  the  field.  In  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  where  his  regiment 
was  almost  annihilated,  he  was  one  of  the  three  out  of  twenty-six  officers  who  was  neither 
killed  nor  wounded,  and  who  with  a  small  remnant  of  the  regiment  rallied  around  the  fiag 
and  retreated  just  in  time  to  escape  capture. 

*See  page  370.  tSee  page  212.  tSee  page  346,  et  seq.  II  See  page  428. 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


633 


B.    B.    L.   5-8. 
BVT.    LIEUT.   CHAKLES    S.    E.MEHV. 


I$k.    B.   D.   5-1  Oi. 
CORP.  JOHN    A.    EMERSON. 


B.    D.    }..   5-10^. 
LIEUT.    HENRY    A.    L.    FRENCH. 


634  History  of  the  Tzvelfth  Regiment 

His  daughter,  a  fit  representative  of  her  heroic  father,  is  now  a  leading  physician  of 
her  sex  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  also  a  professor  of  surgery  in  the  Woman's  Medical 
College  in  that  city.  Her  name,  Sarah  Angie  French,  written  by  her  father's  hand  in  the 
family  bible  the  only  time  he  was  permitted  to  see  her,  may  fade  and  grow  dim  ;  but  his, 
written  by  the  recording  angel  in  the  book  of  life,  for  those  who  die  for  Christian  freedom 
and  the  rights  of  men,  shall  grow  brighter  and  brighter  while  the  centuries  come  and  go. 


CORP.  FRANK   M.  GAY. 

A  good  picture  of  a  good  man  and  brave  soldier  is  here  given  to  posterity. 

Son  of  James  M.  and  Margaret  A.  (Cross)  Gay,  and  born  in  Wilmot  in  1842.  His 
grandfather  was  a  major-general  in  the  New  Hampshire  militia,  and  his  brother,  George  E., 
served  in  Company  C,  First  New  Hampshire  Heavy  Artillery. 

In  most  of  the  battles  of  the  regiment  to  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was  severely  wounded 
in  arm  (see  roster),  and  never  with  the  regiment  afterward. 

Died  in  Concord,  February  11,  1865,  and  buried  at  Wilmot.  He  was  a  mechanic  by 
trade  and  was  never  married. 


SERGT.  WILLIAM   S.  GRAY. 

The  engraving  of  Sergeant  Gray,  although  a  true  copy  of  his  photograph,  is  not  a  very 
good  picture  of  the  living  original,  for  the  camera  like  the  pen  is  unable  to  do  him  justice. 

He  was  born  in  Stratford,  June  29,  1836,  being  the  oldest  son  of  six  children,  two  boys 
and  four  girls,  of  Thomas  F.  and  Olive  F.  (Davis)  Gray,  and  the  great-grandson  of  John 
Gray,  who  served  through  the  Revolution.  His  grandfather,  John  Davis,  was  a  pensioner 
of  1812.  Thus  from  both  sides  he  inherited  the  courage  and  patriotism  that  have  so 
greatly  honored  and  distinguished  him. 

In  all  the  engagements  that  the  regiment  was,  and  also  in  the  battles  of  Chapin's 
Farm,  Capture  of  Petersburg,  and  High  Bridge,  while  on  detached  service  as  sharpshooter. 
He  and  Farrar,  of  Company  II  (see  sketch),  were  two  of  the  very  few  sharpshooters  who 
did  so  much  towards  capturing  Fort  Harrison,  and  they  were  together  in  the  chase  after 
General  Lee,  both  being  severely  wounded  —  Sergeant  Gray  in  the  left  thigh,  a  few  days 
before  Lee's  surrender.  He  was  also  wounded  slightly  in  head  at  Chancellorsville,  and 
again  at  Chapin's  Farm  by  minie  balls,  which  took  off  the  sight  of  his  rifle  and  badly 
wounded  him  in  left  thumb,  while  engaged  in  silencing  a  gun  in  one  of  the  rebel  forts. 

Married  Nancy  J.  Pender  (deceased),  of  Northwood,  October  19,  1856.  Two  children, 
Frank  (died  young)  and  Charles  S.  Second  marriage  to  Annie  M.  George,  widow  of  Samuel 
W.  George  (see  sketch),  of  Company  I,  April  2,  1866. 

Sergeant  Gray  has  a  record  equaled  by  few  in  the  regiment,  and  was  one  of  the  most 
reliable  and  brave  of  the  "Old  Guard."  He  is,  moreover,  a  true  type  of  Christian 
manhood. 

CORP.  LYMAN   A.  II AMULET. 

Here  is  another  of  the  many  of  every  company  who  never  hesitated  to  go  forward 
because  the  enemy  was  in  front,  and  received  a  mortal  wound  bravely  fighting  at  Cold 
Harbor  (see  roster). 

Son  of  Car  in  i  G.  and  Elizabeth  (Nason)  Hamblet,  and  born  in  Dracut,  Mass.,  May  3, 
1836.  Shoemaker  by  trade  when  he  enlisted. 

He  was  an  orphan  boy,  his  father  dying  when  he  was  thirteen  years  old,  and  his 
mother  died  when  he  was  only  six. 

He  was  in  every  battle  except  Gettysburg,  and  then  he  was  a  prisoner,  being  captured 
at  Chancellorsville.  Rejoined  regiment  September  23,  1863,  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.  He 
received  his  fatal  wound  in  the  side,  but  he  was  also  wounded  in  the  ankle  at  the  same 
battle. 

Irena  A.  Fletcher,  of  London,  became  his  wife,  March  25,  1861,  who  had  two  children, 
both  boys. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


635 


G.    B.    L.    5-9. 
CORP.    FRAXK    M.   GAY. 


SEKGT.    WILLIAM    S.   GRAY. 


B.    D.    D.   5~6i. 
CORP.    LY.MAX    A.    HAMBLET. 


636  History  of  the   Twelfth  Regiment 

CAPT.  ANDREW   M.  HEATH. 

The  daughter  of  General  McCary  of  Revolutionary  fame  was  the  grandmother  of  this 
officer,  who  was  the  son  of  John  M.  and  Abigail  S.  (Gate)  Heath,  and  born  in  Loudou, 
February  '23,  1836,  and  died  in  Epsom,  July  18,  1875.  He  had  grown  up  a  rugged  farmer's 
boy  of  more  than  average  proportions,  and  received  a  liberal  education ;  and  from  that 
until  he  enlisted  he  lived  with  his  father  on  a  farm,  teaching  school  winters. 

He  enlisted  several  for  Company  F,  in  his  native  town,  and  for  this  and  his  natural 
fitness  he  was  made  first  sergeant.  He  was  rapidly  promoted  until  made  adjutant  of  the 
regiment,  which  place  he  filled  for  a  long  time.  He  was  in  most,  if  not  all,  of  the  battles 
of  the  regiment,  being  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  and 
wounded  slightly  in  the  Siege  of  Petersburg.  He  was  brigade  staff  officer  for  a  while  near 
the  end  of  the  war,  and  was  always  a  brave  and  efficient  officer  wherever  and  whenever 
called  upon. 

After  the  war,  in  the  winter  of  1866,  he  married  Lucy  R.,  daughter  of  Oliver  Green,  of 
Pittsfield,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  Minnie  L.,  Willie  C.,  and  Adeline  F.  His  wife 
survived  him  but  a  few  years,  dying  August  26,  1879. 

His  occupation  after  discharge  was  the  same  as  before  enlistment,  farming  and  teaching. 

He  was  calm  and  collected  in  battle,  and,  though  while  fully  sensible  of  his  danger, 
not  being  foolishly  daring,  he  was  always  up  to  the  demand  of  duty  wherever  that  might 
call  him.  Colonel  Barker,  than  whom  none  knew  his  worth  better,  often  spoke  of  him  in 
the  highest  terms,  and  in  one  of  his  letters  to  his  wife  wrote  of  him  as  being  "  good  as  gold." 

The  picture  of  him  here  shown  was  taken  soon  after  his  promotion  to  captain,  and  is 
a  very  good  one. 


ZARA    V.  HILLIARD. 

Abram  B.  and  Dorothy  B.  (Towle)  Hilliard  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  all 
boys  but  one,  and  in  1836  resided  in  Pittsfield,  where  on  the  10th  of  May  of  that  year  was 
born  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  His  uncle,  David  B.,  was  a  soldier  of  1812,  and  his 
brother,  Rosewell  M.  C. —  youngest  of  the  family  —  was  a  member  of  Company  E,  Third 
New  Hampshire  Regiment,  and  severely  wounded  through  left  lung.  After  the  war  he 
was  purposely  or  accidently  shot  at  Shelburne,  Ala. 

Zara  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  and  never  with  the  regiment  after 
ward.  Though  soon  recovering,  he  remained  on  service  in  the  hospital  until  his  death  from 
typhoid  fever  at  Webster  Hospital,  Manchester,  May  5,  1865. 

Tims  his  life  ended  with  the  war,  but  he  lived  long  enough  to  know  that  his  country 
was  saved,  and  that  he  had  not  fought  and  bled  on  one  of  her  great  battle-fields  in  vain. 


CAPT.  JOHN    W.  JOHNSTON. 

Son  of  John  and  Lydia  C.  (Pickering)  Johnston,  and  born  in  Pittsfield,  February  10, 
1841. 

At  the  commencement  of  raising  the  Twelfth  Captain  Johnston  was  a  traveling  sales 
man,  which  vocation  was  exchanged  for  a  place  in  the  ranks  as  corporal. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Gettysburg,  Wapping  Heights,  Swift  Creek, 
Cold  Harbor,  Cemetery  Hill,  Petersburg,  and  Capture  of  Richmond.  At  Cold  Harbor  he 
had  command  of  a  division  consisting  of  Companies  F  and  D.  He  was  never  wounded  in 
any  of  the  above  engagements,  and  never  went  to  hospital  for  sickness  during  his  term  of 
service. 

lie  married,  first,  Susan. A.  Philbrick,  February  6,  1866,  who  died  October  30,  1868; 
one  child,  Susan  M.  Second,  to  Clara  A.  Philbrick,  March  3,  1875,  by  whom  he  has  four 
children,  Robert  P.,  Edith  B.,  Belle  P.,  and  Christine ;  and  his  third  wife  is  Laura  C.  Hood, 
and  has  no  children  by  her. 


JVew  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


637 


II.  B.  I..  6-0. 
CAPT.  ANDREW  M.  HEATH. 


B.  B.  D.  5-7. 
XAKA  V.  HILMAKD. 


G.  D.  L.  ^-9. 
CAPT.  JOHN  \V.  JOHNSTON. 


638  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

During  the  summer  and  fall  of  1864  he  acted  on  the  staff  of  Brig.  Gen.  J.  H.  Potter  as 
provost-marshal.  He  was  for  a  while  acting  assistant  ordinance  officer  on  the  staff  of  Gen. 
B.  F.  Butler,  and  acted  in  a  similar  capacity  under  General  Ord  after  the  capture  of  Rich 
mond,  where  he  had  charge  of  the  captured  ammunition,  and  overseered  the  shipping  of  it 
to  Washington. 

Captain  Johnston  possesses  good  and  solid  qualities  that  can  be  relied  upon,  both  in 
military  and  civil  life,  and  few  can  show  a  better  .record  in  either.  For  most  of  the  time 
since  the  war  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  and  is  at  present  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Stratton  &  Co.,  flour  and  grain  dealers,  of  Concord,  but  he  lives  in  Manches 
ter,  where  he  has  the  good  will  and  confidence  of  all  who  know  him. 


MAJ.  JOHN    F.  LAXGLEY. 

Son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Gerrish)  Langley,  and  born  in  Nottingham,  August  14,  1831. 
His  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution. 

He  enlisted  first  from  Manchester  in  the  Third  New  Hampshire  Volunteers  as  second 
lieutenant,  for  one  year,  resigning  at  the  expiration  of  his  term.  He  was  commissioned 
captain  in  Company  F,  of  this  regiment,  September  8,  1862. 

He  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  on  General  Bowman's  staff  at  Chancellorsville, 
and  was  for  a  while  in  command  of  the  regiment  at  Gettysburg. 

His  marriage  to  Nancy  Austin  occurred  October  28,  1852,  and  his  children  are 
Estelle  L.,  Carrie  F.,  and  Samuel  G. 

He  is  now  a  resident  of  Amherst,  where  he  has  long  been  an  invalid. 


REUBEN   T.  LEAVITT,  JR. 

This  soldier  first  joined  the  cadet  infantry  of  Pittsfield,  November  11,  1839,  and  was 
mustered  into  service  for  life  under  the  name  of  his  father,  who  a  few  years  before  married 
Nancy  K.  Brown. 

He  was  married  to  Emma  A.  Watson,  September  4,  1871,  at  North  Berwick,  by  whom 
he  had  the  following  children  :  Lila  M.  (deceased),  Harry  E.,  and  Inez  M.  His  ancestors 
were  Scotch  and  settled  in  Hampton. 

He  was  with  his  regiment  at  Fredericksburg.  also  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville, 
where  he  was  wounded  so  badly  in  the  knee  by  minie  ball  that  he  was  soon  after  discharged 
from  the  service,  and  has  been  in  a  disabled  condition  from  lameness  ever  since.  After  he 
was  wounded  he  remained  in  the  enemy's  lines  for  several  days,  when  he  was  paroled  and 
sent  across  the  river  with  many  others  that  the  enemy  were  glad  to  get  off  their  hands. 
Edwin  A.  Kelly,  who  helped  carry  him  off  the  field,  was  shot  dead  before  they  succeeded  in 
doing  so. 

lie  is  a  worthy  citizen  of  his  native  town  and  a  jovial,  kind  hearted  man. 


CHARLES    F.  MASON. 

The  birthplace  of  this  soldier  was  Chichester  and  the  date  of  his  birth,  February  22, 
1830.  Edmund  and  Clarissa  (Ingalls)  Mason  were  his  father  and  mother,  and  Benjamin, 
his  grandfather,  was  prominent  in  the  service  of  his  country  during  the  Revolutionary  War. 

He  was  in  Fredericksburg,  and  Chancellorsville  where  he  received  his  death  wound. 

He  had  a  foreboding  of  his  untimely  end  on  the  day  of  his  enlistment,  often  talking 
of  his  approaching  death  on  the  field  with  as  much  certainty  and  composure  as  if  it  was  a 
fixed  fact  in  some  business  affair.*  His  death  was  deeply  felt  by  his  comrades. 

*See  page  342. 


Nciv  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


639 


B.    B.    L.   5-7. 
MAJ.  JOHN    F.    LANGLEY 


B.    B.    I).   5-7!- 
REUBEN7    T.   I.EAV1TT,  JR. 


B.    I..    I..   5-S4- 
C-HAKI.l-S    1-.    MASON. 


640  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

JESSE   M.  MASON. 

Son  of  Edmund  and  Clarissa  (Ingalls)  Mason,  and  was  born  in  Chichester,  February 
22,  1830.  His  father  was  at  Portsmouth  in  1812,  and  his  grandfather  was  a  fifer  in  the 
Continental  army. 

Married  December  30,  1849,  to  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  Rev.  Lincoln  Lewis,  who  died 
during  the  war,  leaving  him  four  children,  Walter  E.,  Ida  J.,  Nellie  C.,  and  Harold  L.,  all 
living  but  the  last.  Married  second  wife,  Annie  W.  Collins,  of  East  Salisbury,  Mass., 
January  1,  1880. 

In  battles  of  Swift  Creek,  Relay  House,  Drury's  Bluff,  Port  Walthall,  and  Cold 
Harbor,  where  he  was  severely  wounded  by  musket  ball  and  narrowly  escaped  death  from 
the  explosion  of  a  shell,  tearing  the  clothes  from  his  body  and  causing  him  to  vomit  blood. 

He  is  by  occupation  a  shoemaker,  and  has  resided  most  of  the  time  in  Pittsfield  since 
the  war. 


CORP.  WILLIAM    P.  MASOX. 

Parents  unknown,  but  Hannah  P.  Mason,  his  adopted  mother,  used  to  live  in  Canter 
bury.  Of  this  soldier's  family  record  but  very  little  is  known.  This  is  the  more  to  be 
regretted,  as  he  fought  on  many  battle-fields  of  his  country,  and  was  not  discharged  until 
his  country's  foes  had  grounded  their  arms,  and  peace  once  more  assumed  her  rightful  sway 
over  a  land  that  had  drank  up  some  of  the  best  blood  of  the  nation. 

After  the  war  he  was  drowned  in  St.  Charles,  Minn.,  June  30,  1867. 


JEREMIAH   MARSTOX. 

Son  of  Orin  C.  and  Susan  M.  Marston  (maiden  name  the  same),  who  had  two  sons  and 
six  daughters.  Born  in  Tamworth,  April  10,  1843,  and  had  worked  at  farming  and  shoe- 
making  before  enlisting. 

In  most  of  the  battles  with  his  regiment  to  Cold  Harbor,  where  one  of  the  femoral 
arteries  was  severed  by  musket  ball  and  he  bled  to  death  upon  the  field. 

Though  he  went  through  many  hard  battles,  he  received  no  wound  until  the  fatal  one ; 
but  bullets  pierced  his  clothes,  and  one  went  through  the  top  of  his  cap  at  Chancellorsville. 
He  was  never  at  home  on  furlough,  but  stayed  with  the  colors  and  did  his  duty  until  death 
released  him.  His  neighbors  speak  of  him  as  an  excellently  good  boy. 


ALFRED  W.  MAXFIELD. 

Son  of  Rufus  and  Irene  (Johnson)  Maxfield,  born  in  Mansfield,  Vt.,  August  30,  1838, 
and  killed  at  Chancellorsville,  May  3,  1863.  He  was  never  married. 

He  served  faithfully  with  his  regiment  from  the  day  of  his  muster-in  to  his  final 
muster-out  from  the  service  of  time,  never  being  absent  or  excused  from  duty  and  always 
faithful  to  every  care  and  trust.  From  his  countenance,  as  here  pictured,  can  be  read 
what  one  of  his  comrades  wrote  of  him  :  "Open,  free,  and  brave  hearted."  From  the  lips 
of  his  aged  mother,  who  until  the  day  of  her  recent  death  never  ceased  to  mourn  for.  him, 
the  writer  learned  of  his  anxiety  to  enlist  in  the  service  of  his  country  and  of  his  willing 
ness  to  die,  as  he  did,  in  its  defense. 

His  was  a  patriot's  heart  that  ceased  to  beat  in  conflict  with  the  wrong. 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


641 


D.   D.    L.   6-O. 
JESSE    M.    MASON. 


B.   L.    L.   5-5. 
CORP.   WILLIAM    P.   MASOX, 


s^W^ 

Bk.     B.     D.     =5-9. 
JERKMIAII    MARSTON. 


Bk.    B.   D.   5-9. 
ALFRED    \V.   MAXFIELD. 


41 


642  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

JOHN   B.  MERRILL. 

Tliis  soldier  was  the  son  of  James  and  Mehitable  (Bradly)  Merrill,  and  was  born  in 
Northfield,  December  12,  1829.  His  father  served  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  was  taken  pris. 
oner  and  confined  for  some  time  in  the  Dartmoor  prison,  England,  which  at  one  time  con. 
tained  twenty-five  hundred  American  prisoners. 

He  was  married  August  10,  1852,  to  Elenor  P.,  daughter  of  James  Johnson,  of  Pitts- 
field,  and  had  two  children,  John  J.  and  Emma  B. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericks  burg  and  Chancellorsville,  being  the  first  man  of 
his  company  to  fall  in  that  battle.  His  wife  had  repeatedly  dreamed,  for  years  before  the 
war,  of  seeing  him  lying  bleeding  on  the  ground.  It  had  such  an  impression  upon  her  that 
when  he  enlisted  she  thought  of  her  dream  and  feared  the  result.  He  was  naturally  of  a 
humorous  and  jovial  disposition  ;  but  on  the  march  to  the  field  of  battle,  he  all  at  once 
became  very  sober  and  silent,  which  one  of  his  comrades  noticing,  remarked  in  a  joking 
way,  "  I  guess  John  is  afraid  he  is  going  to  get  killed."  His  reply  was,  "  You  may  laugh, 
boys,  but  it  don't  change  the  fact  that  I  shall  be  killed  in  the  next  battle  and  shall  be  the 
first  man  in  my  company  to  fall."  His  prediction  proved  true  a  day  or  two  later. 

His  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Richard  Bradly,  once  governor  of  New  Hampshire. 


CORP.  GEORGE   F.  MESERVE. 

This  victim  of  Southern  cruelty  was  the  son  of  Frost  and  Priscilla  (Newt)  Meserve, 
and  born  at  Dover  in  1838  and  died  in  Andersonville  prison,  Georgia,  in  the  summer  of 
1864.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Swift 
Creek,  and  Drury's  Bluff,  where  he  was  captured  and  held  prisoner  until  his  death. 

He  married  Lavonia  L.  Emerson,  September  15,  1862.  One  son,  John  E.,  was  his  only 
child. 

There  was  long  delay  in  getting  his  widow  a  pension  because  she  could  not  prove  his 
death.  But  at  last  the  government  granted  her  claim  on  the  ground  that  "  last  heard  of  in 
a  rebel  prison  "  was  equivalent  to  actual  proof  of  death.  Her  claim  was  made  a  test  case, 
and  after  a  long  consideration  was  decided  as  aforesaid  in  her  favor.  (See  roster.) 


CORP.  IRA    MESERVE. 

Brother  of  George  F.  Meserve  and  was  born  in  Dover,  March  25,  1840.  (See  about 
parents  in  last  sketch.) 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville*  and  Gettysburg,  and  severely  wounded  at 
last  named  by  musket  ball  passing  through  both  legs,  disabling  him  for  further  service 
with  the  regiment  (see  roster). 

He  was  married  a  few  days  after  enlistment  to  Arvilla  A.  Emerson,  of  Northwood, 
and  his  children's  names  are  Bertha  E.,  Blanche  M.,  and  Florence  G. 

He  is  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  and  has  worked  at  it  ever  since  his  discharge. 


FRED   S.  MORSE. 

Son  of  Isaac  E.  and  Mary  F.  (Stevens)  Morse  ;  born  in  London,  July  13.  1845,  and 
was  the  youngest  member  of  his  company.  A  mere  boy  in  appearance  as  well  as  years, 
he  was  selected  as  "  marker  "  early  in  the  service,  carrying  a  small  flag  instead  of  a  gun 
until  the  last  year  of  the  war,  when  he  acted  as  orderly  for  Colonel  Potter,  commanding 
brigade.  lie  was  with  the  regiment  in  most  of  its  marches  and  battles,  and  although  not 
in  the  line  of  battle,  used  to  do  some  fighting  now  and  then,  exchanging  shots  with  rebel 
sharpshooters. f 

Married  July  9,  1873,  to  Martha  Cummings,  of  Chelsea,  Mass.,  where  he  has  resided 
for  several  years. 

lie  was  always  full  of  life  and  fun,  ready  and  resolute,  and  game  to  the  end. 

*See  anecdote,  page  411.  t  See  pages  431-432. 


lYeiu  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


643 


B.  B.  L.  5-10. 
JOHN  B.  MERRILL. 


B.  D.  D.  5-10. 
CORP.  GEORGK  F.  MESERVE. 


Bk.  Bk.  n.  5-10. 
CORP.  IRA  MESERVE. 


644  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

JOHN    D.  NUTTER. 

Product  of  the  union  of  Samuel  D.  and  Ruth  M.  (Knowles)  Nutter,  and  was  trans 
planted  from  the  mother  stock  in  1886  at  Barnstead.  In  the  year  1858  he  left  his  Barn- 
stead  home  for  Pittsfield,  where  he  enlisted  in  September,  1862. 

He  married,  January  4,  1868,  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  William  Tibbetts,  of  Pittsfield,  and 
his  children  are  Laura  U.  and  John  W.  (deceased). 

He  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  with  the  teams  at  Chancellorsville,  and  was 
wounded  slightly  in  left  ankle  while  helping  a  comrade  from  the  field  of  Gettysburg.  lie 
was  also  in  the  battle  of  Wapping  Heights.  An  interesting  incident  about  him  is  related 
elsewhere.* 

He  is  still  among  the  living,  and  has  resided  for  many  years  at  Lynn,  Mass. 


SERGT.  JOHN    H.  PIIILBRICK 

Was  born  in  Epsom,  January  17,  1836,  and  his  parents'  names  are  John  II.  F.  and  Martha 
(Ham)  Philbrick,  who  had  three  boys  and  one  girl. 

He  married  Mary  A.  Durgin,  of  Pittsfield,  July  5,  1859. 

His  father  was  in  the  late  war,  in  Company  E,  Eleventh  New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 
and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  in  the 
battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Swift  Creek,  Relay  House,  and  Drury's  Bluff. 
He  was  taken  sick  at  Gettysburg  and  sent  to  Carver  Hospital,  Washington,  D.  C.  He 
re  joined  the  regiment  at  Point  Lookout,  from  which  he  was  sent  home  on  recruiting  service, 
one  sergeant  being  chosen  from  each  company,  in  charge  of  Lieut.  Durgin.  lie  was- 
absent  on  detached  duty  from  the  regiment  at  Cold  Harbor,  returned  in  front  of  Petersburg, 
and  remained  with  it  all  the  rest  of  the  time  until  the  close  of  the  rebellion.  At  Chancel 
lorsville  he  received  a  slight  wound  in  the  neck. 

His  residence  (see  roster). 


CAPT.  JOHN    H.  PRESCOTT. 

This  officer,  whose  honorable  career  as  a  soldier  and  civilian  gives  him  an  enviable 
position  in  history,  was  born  in  Pittsfield,  October  14,  1840,  and  was  the  oldest  son  of 
John  and  Mary  (Clarke)  Prescott.  His  grandfather,  Samuel,  was  in  the  Revolution. 

Soon  after  enlistment  he  was  appointed  commissary  sergeant,  acting  in  that  capacity 
until  receiving  his  first  commission,  December,  1863.  From  this  to  the  end  of  the  war  he 
was  most  of  the  time  on  detached  duty,  acting  as  aide-de-camp  or  commissary  of  subsis 
tence  to  and  for  Generals  Wister,  Steadman,  Smith,  Weitzel,  Potter,  and  Donohoe  ;  and 
was  present  or  participating  in  nearly  all  the  battles  of  the  war.  At  Chancellorsville  he 
begged  permission  of  Colonel  Potter  to  go  with  the  regiment  into  the  battle  instead  of 
remaining  in  the  rear,  and  went  near  enough  the  front  line  to  have  the  visor  of  his  cap 
torn  by  a  musket  ball  while  assisting  the  wounded,  and  capturing  a  stray  "Johnny"  that 
he  found  between  the  lines. 

He  had  narrow  escapes  from  and  exciting  experiences  with  the  enemy,  some  of  which 
will  be  found  related  elsewhere  in  this  history.f  He  is  believed  to  be  the  first  Union 
officer  to  enter  Libby  prison  after  the  evacuation,  and  his  family  has  one  of  its  large  door 
keys  that  he  found  upon  the  floor  of  the  building  before  even  our  pickets  had  reached  it. 

After  the  war  he  went  west,  studied  law,  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  located  himself 
for  life  at  Salina,  Kan.  He  was  prosecuting  attorney  and  afterward  judge  for  that  judicial 
district,  which  latter  office  he  held  with  great  credit  to  himself  for  ability  and  integrity. 
He  was  clerk  of  the  house  of  representatives  for  several  years,  a  member  of  the  state- 
senate,  and  had  he  lived  would  doubtless  won  new  and  higher  honors.  He  loved  justice 
for  justice's  sake,  and  could  not  do  otherwise,  for  it  was  but  a  part  of  his  own  ideal  self. 
The  city  which  had  grown  up  around  him  appreciated  and  trusted  him  as  one  of  her  fore 
most  citizens  while  living,  and  sincerely  mourned  his  death.  Much  might  be  quoted  from.. 

*  See  page  30.  t  See  pages  250  and  425,  et  seq. 


ew  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


645 


Hk.    Hk.    D.    =5-41. 
FRED     S.     MORSE. 


G.    B.    D.   5-5. 
JOHN    D.   NUTTER, 


Bk.  i?k.  D.   ^-4. 
SERGT.  JOHN    II.    1MIILBRICK. 


646  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

her  daily  presses  in  just  praise  of  him,  but  the  writer  pauses,  for  he  well  knows,  as  one  of 
his  most  intimate  friends,  that  his  wish  and  will,  could  he  make  them  known,  would  be 
that  others,  as  bravely  good  as  he  though  less  fortunate,  might  share  with  him  on  the 
pages  of  history.  He  would  say  :  "  Spare  all  your  fast  wasting  powers,  dear  friend,  to  do, 
so  far  as  you  are  able,  justice  to  the  noble  and  heroic  boys  who  deserve  far  more  of  praise 
than  I,  for  they  sacrificed  all,  even  life  itself,  upon  the  altar  of  their  country." 

He  was  married  to  Mary  E.  Lee,  of  Topeka,  Kan.,  January  6,  1869.  Children, 
Henry  L.,  Fred  C.,  Carl  F.,  Maude,  Edward  S.,  and  Margaret.  Three  of  these  are 
graduates  from  Harvard  College,  where  one  of  them  is  an  instructor. 

"  Farewell,  dear  friend,  my  heart  with  thine  is  still, 
A  solemn  silence,  now,  its  chambers  fill ; 
While  cruel  memory,  as  if  my  grief  to  swell, 
Puts  all  our  past  in  this,  my  last  farewell. 
Sad,  parting1  word,  yet  this  of  hope  to  me, 
Farewell  with  us  is  welfare  bright  for  thee." 


GEORGE    11.  REYNOLDS. 

This  brave  soldier  fell  and  was  buried  by  the  enemy  on  the  field  of  Chancellorsville. 

Descendant  of  a  worthy  yeoman  ancestry,  his  grandfather,  Miles  Reynolds,  serving  in 
the  last  war  with  England.  He  was  born  near  where  Rev.  Benjamin  Randall  established 
his  first  church  on  New  Durham  Ridge,  March  29,  1840,  and  was  the  youngest  of  the  four 
children  of  John  and  Hannah  (Bennett)  Reynolds,  only  one  of  whom  is  now  living. 

He  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  and  always  present  and  ready  for  duty  from 
the  time  of  his  enlistment  to  his  death.  When  struck  by  the  fatal  bullet,  he  turned  to 
Lieutenant  French  and  calmly  informed  him  that  he  was  wounded.  Being  told  to  go  to 
the  rear,  he  started,  but  fell  dead  after  going  but  a  few  steps. 

His  life,  though  short  and  uneventful  before  the  war,  was  in  its  close  nobly  heroic,  for 
he  gave  it  to  his  country,  and  his  name  is  indelibly  written  in  the  golden-leafed  book  of 
her  remembrance. 


CORP.  JOSEPH    RODERICK. 

With  mind  and  body  of  sound  material  made,  he  entered  the  battle  ranks  of  life  in 
the  town  of  Bath,  Me.,  November  25,  1842,  as  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Sophia  (Roderick) 
Roderick.  lie  worked  at  shoe-making  and  farming  before  enlistment,  and  was  known  as 
an  honest  and  dutiful  boy. 

He  was  in  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  and  after  recovering  from  a  wound 
received  in  the  last  named  battle  in  right  arm,  he  was  on  detached  duty  as  guard  at 
division  commissary  department  until  November,  1864,  after  which  he  returned  to  and 
served  with  his  regiment  to  the  end  of  the  war,  being  present  at  the  attack  on  Bermuda 
Front  and  the  Capture  of  Richmond.  He  was  one  of  the  color  guard  during  the  last 
year  of  the  war. 

Married  Hannah  E.  Fender,  of  Northwood,  January  16,  1864,  by  whom  he  had  the 
following  children  :  Willie  A.,  Agnes  H.,  Perlie  A.,  Sadie  A.,  and  Maud  A.,  all  of  whom  are 
living  except  the  first  and  third. 

This  soldier's  ability  and  deportment  was  far  above  the  average,  and  the  very 
promptness  and  efficiency  which  should  have  given  him  much  higher  rank  operated  against 
him  in  this  respect  by  keeping  him  so  long  on  headquarter  duty  where  his  worth  was  fully 
appreciated,  but  not  recognized  as  it  should  have  been.  Many  interesting  incidents  and 
anecdotes  might  be  related  of  his  army  experience,  one  or  two  of  which  will  be  found  in 
the  chapter  of  incidents  and  anecdotes.* 

Since  the  war  a  farmer  and  shoemaker  and  a  highly  respected  citizen  of  Northwood 
where  he  enlisted,  and  has  ever  since  resided. 

*  See  pages  418  and  419. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


647 


B.  D.  L.  5-9-2. 
CAPT.  JOHN  II.  PRESCOTT. 


B.  G.  D.  5-9. 
GEORGE  H.  REYNOLDS. 


Bk.  Bk.  D.  5-6. 
CORP.  JOSEPH  RODERICK. 


648  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

GEORGE   II.  SANBORN. 

This  soldier  was  the  son  of  Abraham  and  Abigail  (Brown)  Sanborn  and  was  reared  in 
Pittsfield  where  he  was  born,  January  18,  1836. 

In  most  or  all  the  battles  of  the  regiment  until  August  18,  1861,  when  he  was  severely 
wounded,  while  in  front  of  Petersburg,  by  ball  through  left  shoulder,  lodging  in  the  luno-, 
from  the  effects  of  which  he  constantly  suffered  (coughing  up  a  piece  of  his  vest  more  than 
a  year  after)  and  finally  causing  his  death  nearly  twenty  years  later,  at  Pittsfield,  August  16, 
1885.  He  acted  as  cook  much  of  the  time  in  camp  and  during  the  siege  of  Petersburg ;  and 
while  dealing  out  rations  to  his  company  in  the  entrenchments,  Captain  Johnston  had  just 
said  to  him  :  "You  are  sitting  in  a  dangerous  place  there,"  when  he  was  hit  by  a  ball  from 
the  rifle  of  a  rebel  sharpshooter.  When  his  comrades  bid  him  "good  bye  "  at  the  hospital 
where  they  carried  him,  they  never  expected  to  see  him  alive  again. 

He  was  true  blue  to  the  core,  and  as  brave  on  the  field  as  he  was  useful  in  camp. 


CHARLES   L.  SWEATT. 

Son  of  Stephen  and  Judith  (Little)  Sweatt,  and  was  born  in   Boscawen,  June  4,  1636. 

This  soldier,  before  enlistment  and  for  some  years  after  the  war,  was  employed  as  a 
miller  at  Pittsfield,  to  which  town  his  father  removed  with  his  family  when  he  was  a  small 
boy. 

He  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg ;  after  which  he  was  detailed  as  orderly  at 
General  Whipple's  headquarters.  While  there  he  was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  Portress 
Monroe  hospital.  He  rejoined  the  regiment  and  was  a  participator  in  the  battles  of  Drury's 
Bluff,  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg,  and  several  others. 

He  married  Martha  A.,  daughter  of  John  M.  Eaton,  of  Pittsfield,  July  9,  1858.  Chil 
dren,  Frank  J.,  Mary  L.  (deceased),  Eugene  H.,  Charles  C.,  and  Gertrude  A. 

Since  the  war  a  shoemaker  and  farmer  and  now  living  in  Pittsfield. 


SERGT.  BENJAMIX   M.  TILTOX. 

You  will  find  this  soldier,  near  this  sketch,  looking  as  brave  and  prompt  on  paper,  as 
he  really  was  on  the  field. 

He  is  one  of  the  nineteen  children  of  John  Tilton,  of  Pittsfield,  and  his  mother's  name 
was  Sally  Nelson.  He  was  born  in  Pittsfield,  January  13,  1844. 

He  met  and  fought  the  enemy  in  most  or  every  battle  of  the  regiment,  except  Gettys 
burg  and  AVapping  Heights,  when  he  was  sick  in  hospital  with  his  shoulder  shattered  by  a 
bullet  at  Chancellorsville,  where  he  fell  into  the  arms  of  Sergt.  Maj.  A.  \V.  Bartlett,  who 
was  just  then  passing  behind  him  in  search  of  a  musket  to  do  a  little  fighting  for  himself. 
After  he  was  wounded  he  was  taken  prisoner  and  held  for  thirteen  days  on  the  field  in  the 
enemy's  lines,  during  which  time  his  wound  was  not  dressed.  At  the  charge  at  Cold  Har 
bor  he  was  slightly  wounded  where,  like  all  the  rest  of  the  regiment,  he  had  a  narrow 
escape  from  death. 

After  the  war  (March  14,  1867),  he  married  Love  ().  Towle,  of  Chichester.  He  has  no 
children. 

For  many  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  harness  and  saddler  business  in  his  native 
town  where,  despite  losses  by  fire  and  limbs  broken  by  accident,  he  has,  by  the  same  grit 
manifested  by  him  in  the  army,  successfully  managed  his  business  until  the  present  time. 

He  was  a  brave,  plucky  soldier,  and  is  a  good  citizen.  Mention  is  made  of  him  in  sev 
eral  places  in  this  history.* 

*  See  pages  398,  409. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


649 


B.    DB.    I..   5-8. 
GEORGE    H.   SAXHORN. 


Bk.    D.    L.   5-4^. 
CHARLES    L.   SWEATT. 


B.    Bk.    L.   5-7. 
SERGT.    BENJAMIN    M.   TII/TOX. 


650  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


COMPANY  G. 

There  were  more  different  counties  and  towns  represented  in  the 
arrangement  of  this  company  than  in  any  other,  there  being  some  from 
the  counties  of  Carroll  and  Graf  ton,  but  mostly  from  Belknap  county. 
The  town  of  Gilford  supplied  thirty-eight ;  Moultonborough,  fifteen;  and 
Warren,  nine  ;  and  the  rest  being  from  almost  as  many  different  towns 
in  said  counties. 

Those  from  Moultonborough  and  several  other  different  places  had 
intended  to  enlist,  sooner  or  later  than  they  did,  but  the  enthusiasm  and 
desire  dependent  on  raising  the  Twelfth  immediately,  made  many  changes 
and  swept  everything  before  it.  Town  and  war  meetings  were  held  in 
Gilford,  Moultonborough,  Laconia,  and  Warren.  J.  M.  Emerson  en- 
listed.about  thirty  men  in  Moultonborough.  This  company  met  at  Lake- 
port,  and  the  following  officers  of  the  company  were  selected  by  the  men 
to  represent  them  : 

For  captain,  Charles  W.  Chase;  first  lieutenant,  John  M.  Emerson 
(resigned  a  month  or  two  later)  ;  and  John  S.  Veasey,  second  lieuten 
ant.  The  sergeants  chosen,  and  afterwards  appointed,  were  Arthur  St. 
Clair  Smith  for  orderly  or  first  sergeant.  The  names  of  the  other  sergeants 
were  Charles  O.  Davis,  Samuel  L.  Goss,  Elbridge  Jacobs,  and  Joseph 
K.  Whittier.  The  corporals  elected  were  Benjamin  B.  Clark,  Joseph 
P.  Whittier,  Charles  W.  Hoyt,  Marshall  C.  Dexter,  William  Ladd, 
Charles  H.  Hinman,  Henry  J.  Smith,  and  John  P.  Lane.  George  W. 
Merrill  and  Jonathan  K.  Kelsea  furnished  the  music. 

This  company  was  mustered  as  such  into  the  United  States  service, 
September  9,  1862. 


Hampshire  Volunteers.  651 

GEORGE    W.  ANDREWS. 

Born  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Winnipiseogee  in  the  town  of  Centre  Harbor,  June  20, 
1844,  where  his  parents,  Ensley  G.  and  Nancy  (Allard)  Andrews  had  long  resided. 

His  patriotism  was  inherited  from  his  grandfather  Andrews,  who  enlisted  at  the  begin 
ning  of  the  War  of  1812.  He  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellors- 
ville,  Drury's  Bluff,  Port  Walthall,  Cold  Harbor,  Siege  of  Petersburg,  and  Capture  of 
Richmond.  During  the  engagement  at  Cold  Harbor  he  received  a  slight  wound  from  a 
shell.  He  was  taken  prisoner  while  helping  to  carry  Colonel  Potter  from  the  Chancellor 
House,  and  was  retained  for  twelve  days,  when  he -was  released  and  rejoined  the  regiment 
at  Point  Lookout,  from  which  place  he  remained  with  it  until  the  end.  Enlisted  and  dis 
charged  as  a  private,  but  his  ability  to  wield  the  sword  was  never  questioned. 

Married  May  '3,  I860,  to  Sarah  L.  Barrett,  of  Bridgewater.  His  children  are,  Inis 
May  and  Lillian  Francis. 

A  farmer  before  enlisting  and  has  been  a  farmer  and  tanner  since.  He  was  as  brave 
and  faithful  a  soldier  as  he  is  a  good  man. 


BVT.  MAJ.  EDWIN   E.  BEDEE 

Was  born  in  the  town  of  Sandwich,  January  8,  1838. 

He  was  a  printer  before  the  war,  enlisting  first  from  Albany,  N.  Y.,  in  the  first  three 
months' -regiment  as  orderly  sergeant,  and  was- promoted  to  second  lieutenant.  Later  he 
was  appointed  messenger  in  the  citizens'  corps,  and  on  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service 
he  returned  to  Meredith  in  time  to  join  the  Twelfth  Regiment.  He  enlisted  in  this  regi 
ment  as  sergeant  major,  and  was  repeatedly  promoted  until  he  reached  the  rank  of  major, 
which  rank  he  held  at  the  time  of  his  muster-out. 

He  was  in  most  of  the  battles  in  which  the  regiment  was  engaged.  At  Chancellors- 
ville,  after  most  of  the  officers  had  been  wounded,  he,  by  virtue  of  his  rank,  took  command 
of  the  remnant  of  the  regiment,  although  himself  slightly  wounded,  and  later  was  hit  by 
a  piece  of  shell,  rendering  him  unconscious.  At  Cold  Harbor  he  was  wounded  severely, 
and  also  in  front  of  Petersburg.  He  was  taken  prisoner  on  the  Bermuda  Front,  but  three 
months  later  paroled  and  returned  to  the  regiment.  For  a  while  he  served  on  the  staff  of 
General  Potter,  and  was  on  special  duty  at  Washington  at  the  time  of  the  assassination  of 
President  Lincoln.  He  wras  at  Ford's  Theatre  on  that  eventful  night.* 

Major  Bedee  deserves  great  praise  for  the  part  he  so  well  acted  in  some  of  the  exciting 
scenes  of  the  great  tragic  drama  of  the  war.  Brave,  sometimes  almost  to  rashness,  he  was 
always  conspicuous  where  the  harvest  of  death  left  its  sheaves  the  thickest,  and  if  he  knew 
what  fear  was,  it  was  but  to  scorn  it  by  courting  instead  of  shunning  dangers.  Strict  in 
discipline,  even  to  severity  when  the  occasion  demanded  it,  he  was  equally  ready  and 
willing  to  commend  and  reward,  and  no  good  soldier  had  cause  to  find  fault  with  his  orders 


AMOS   CHATTLE. 

Born  in  Meredith  on  the  llth  day  of  March,  1844,  and  son  of  Thomas  and  Nancy  B. 
(Bowman)  Chattle.  His  grandfather,  Francis  Bowman,  died  in  the  service  during  the 
War  of  1812. 

This  soldier  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg.  He  received  a  fracture  of  the  right 
elbow  by  being  accidentally  thrown  down  during  the  winter  before  Chancellorsville,  from 
the  effects  of  which  he  was  afterwards  discharged  (see  roster).  Before  this  he  promised 
to  make  one  of  the  best  of  soldiers,  but  thus  early  had  to  succumb  to  the  inevitable. 

His  father  and  brother,  Horace,  were  in  the  Eighth  New  Hampshire,  the  former,  taken 
sick  on  the  inarch,  died  at  Camp  Stevens,  La.,  and  the  latter  killed  at  Port  Hudson.  An 
other  brother,  Noah,  who  enlisted  in  the  Fifteenth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  was  also 
killed  at  Port  Hudson. 

Married  November  29,  1806,  to  Annie  E.  Meader,  of  Tamworth,  by  whom  he  has  two 
children,  Charles  M.  and  Amy  J. 

*  See  page  294.    Other  references,  421,  429. 


652  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

LIEUT.  BENJAMIN'    B.  CLARK. 

Lieutenant  Clark  was  the  oldest  son  of  the  seven  children  of  David  and  Abigail  (Phil- 
brick)  Clark,  and  was  born  in  Franklin,  March  14,  1829.  The  earliest  known  ancestor  of 
this  branch  of  the  Clark  family,  whose  name  was  John,  settled  in  Stratham  ;  and  his 
grandson,  Satchel,  who  was  the  great-grandfather  of  Benjamin  B.,  above  named,  was  the 
ninth  man  to  start  a  home  in  the  town  of  Sanbornton,  working  there  two  years  "  without 
seeing  a  woman's  face."*  The  united  ages  of  his  seven  children  before  the  death  of  any 
of  them,  he  being  the  oldest,  was  over  five  hundred  and  thirty-two  years.*  He  is  said  to 
have  served  in  the  Revolution,  as  did  his  oldest  son,  John  Clark,  who  was  the  grandfather 
-of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

He,  Benjamin  B.,  as  will  be  seen  above,  had  good  blood  in  his  veins  and  proved  it  on 
every  battle-field  of  the  regiment,  except  the  Chancellorsville  campaign,  where  his  knee 
was  badly  sprained,  and  Wapping  Heights,  from  which  he  was  kept  by  a  wound  received 
in  right  leg,  above  the  knee,  at  Gettysburg.  He  was  wounded  by  the  same  bullet,  and  in 
nearly  the  same  place  as  was  his  '-file-closer,"  Charles  P.  Holmes,  who  bled  to  death  on  the 
field.  The  surgeon,  who  dre.ssed  his  (Clark's)  wound  told  him  that  it  came  within  one- 
eighth  of  an  inch  of  severing  the  same  vital  artery  as  in  the  Holmes  case. 

He  was  for  a  long  time  orderly  sergeant  of  his  company  and  had  the  offer  of  a  lieuten 
ancy,  by  rank,  long  before  he  was  appointed  as  such.  He  was  a  machinist  by  trade,  and 
after  the  war  was  employed  for  some  time  as  draftsman,  for  which  he  seemed  to  have  a 
natural  talent.  A  sketch  of  the  position  of  the  regiment  at  Cold  Harbor  was  drawn  by 
him  on  the  field  under  the  enemy's  guiis.f  He  is  connected  with  many  facts  and  incidents 
in  this  history  as  will  be  seen  by  the  reader.^  For  promotions  see  roster. 

November  LJ4,  1851,  he  married  Mary  A.  Eaton,  of  Newton,  Mass.,  and  his  children 
are  Annie  J.,  Grace  E.,  Frederick  W.,  Fannie  G.,  Edith  N.,  and  David  W. 

His  brother,  Samuel  A.,  served  with  Berdan's  sharpshooters,  a-id  lost  a  leg  at  the 
second  Bull  Run.  Lieutenant  Clark  was  one  of  the  very  best  men  and  soldiers  of  the  regi 
ment,  and  his  name  is  an  honor  to  its  rolls.  He  died  August  10,  1891. 


WILLIAM  H.  CLINTON. 

Discharged,  like  many  others,  too  late,  and  died  of  disease  contracted  there  soon  after 
his  return  home.  His  father,  De  Witt,  a  member  of  the  Fifteenth  New  Hampshire  Vol 
unteers,  came  home  with  his  regiment,  sick  with  malaria  lever,  and  lived  but  four  days 
afterward.  A  brother,  Hosea  II.,  died  from  wounds  received  in  the  war.  This  soldier 
(William  H.),  married  before  enlistment,  but  his  only  son  died  a  day  or  two  before  its 
father,  and  its  mother  has  since  followed  them.  Another  brother  and  sister  have  also  died 
leaving  no  one  of  the  family  living  but  his  mother,  Ursula  Maria  (Hanson  nee  Bean) 
Clinton,  whose  first  husband  bled  to  death  before  her  eyes  and  whose,  two  children  by  him 
both  died  young.  Such  is  the  sad  chapter  of  death  that  this  brave  and  noble  hearted  woman 
has  been  obliged  to  read,  as  her  own,  through  tears  of  anguish  and  years  of  sorrow.  Yet 
she  still  lives, ||  all  alone  and  almost  blind,  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight,  prayerful  in  the 
present,  and  hopeful  of  a  happier  life  beyond  the  grave.  Her  life  of  constant  toil,  hardship, 
and  privation  for  the  living,  has  been  only  equalled  by  her  sorrow  for  the  dead.  Through 
all  this,  the  Bible,  which  before  losing  her  eyesight,  she  had  read  through  nearly  thirty- 
three  times,  has  been  her  comfort  and  her  strength  ;  and  relying  on  the  promises  of  its 
Great  Author,  she  expects  soon  to  be  welcomed  home  by  her  son  who  died  '-so  happy,  Oh  ! 
so  happy."  And  he,  who  listened  to  those  words  from  her  trembling  lips,  now  records 
what  he  then  thought  :  "  The  mothers  Oh!  the  mothers  of  the  brave  boys  who  fought  and  died 
for  our  country.  Whose  hand  shall  hold  the  pen  that  can  do  them  justice?" 

*  Runnels'  History  of  Sanbornton,  Vol.  II,  page  131.  t  See  page  204. 

tSee  pages  421  and  428.  liDeceasecl  since  the  above  was  written. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


653 


B.    L.    L.    =J- 
GEOUGE    W.    ANDREWS. 


A.    LB.    L.    5-9. 
BVT.  MAJ.    EDWIN    E.    BEDEE. 


PH.  DB.    L.   5-1  liy. 
AMOS    CHATTLE. 


Bk.    Bk.    I..    ^-1  I  \. 
LIEUT.   BENJAMIN"    B.   CLARK. 


H.   LB.    F.   5~9-j. 
WILLIAM    H.    CLINTON. 


654  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

CORP.  NEWELL   DAVIDSON. 

This  brave  and  faithful  soldier  is  the  sou  of  John  B.  and  Sarah  H.  (Lowd)  Davidson, 
and  was  born  in  Holderness  (now  Ashland),  on  the  twenty-third  of  May.  1843. 

Married,  August  22,  1865,  to  Margaret  E.  Watson,  of  Gilnianton,  niece  of  John  Watson, 
of  Company  B,  and  has  two  boys,  Clinton  E.  and  Wilber  N. 

With  the  exception  of  the  measles  at  Fahnouth,  of  which  he  fully  recovered,  notwith 
standing  great  exposure,  he  never  was  in  hospital  or  answered  a  surgeon's  call.  And  still 
more  remarkable,  although  he  was  actually  in  every  battle  and  skirmish  of  the  regiment, 
save  the  picket  fight  on  the  Bermuda  front,  of  all  the  shot  and  shells  that  tore  through  and 
thinned  out  its  ranks,  none  ever  left  a  scar  upon  him;  nor  was  he  ever  touched  by  the 
enemy's  fire,  save  a  slight  bruise  from  a  piece  of  fence  rail  at  Drury's  Bluff,  where  he  was 
restrained  by  his  comrades  from  an  attempt  to  capture  the  enemy's  colors.  His  good  for 
tune  is  a  notable  verification  of  the  Roman  adage:  "The  gods  protect  the  brave;"  for 
even  at  Chancellorsville,  where  want  of  bullet  holes  through  uniform  or  equipments  of  any 
member  of  the  Twelfth,  who  was  not  wounded,  was  almost  proof,  positive,  that  he  was  not 
in  the  battle  or  skulked  his  duty  there,  this  soldier  went  through  unscathed,  although  he 
was  one  of  the  last  to  leave  the  field  and  was  taken  prisoner  on  the  retreat.*  And  at  Cold 
Harbor  only  one  bullet  pierced  his  clothes,  but  his  musket  was  knocked  out  of  his  hands, 
and  the  one  that  he  then  grabbed  from  a  falling  comrade  he  still  keeps,  with  his  other 
equipments,  having  purchased  them  all  of  the  government  at  the  close  of  the  war.  He, 
also,  has  a  red  cedar  canteen  that  was  given  him  by  a  rebel  soldier.  At  the  Capture  of 
Richmond  he  and  Captain  Bohonon  were  the  first  upon  the  enemy's  works,  and  Lieut.  B.  B. 
Clarke  says  Davidson  was  the  first  man  into  Richmond. 

After  the  war  he  was  for  several  years  on  the  police  force  in  Dover,  where  he  long 
resided;  his  courage  and  fidelity,  with  his  tall  and  manly  form  and  deportment,  making 
him  a  model  officer,  both  respected  and  admired. 


CHARLES    A.  DAVIS. 

Here  is  one  of  the  many  nobly  true  and  brave  men  of  the  regiment,  who,  though  never 
wearing  the  insignia  of  rank,  did  much  more  to  put  down  the  Rebellion  than  the  great 
majority  of  those  that  wore  the  chevron  or  the  strap. 

Born  in  Gilford,  June  17,  1841  ;  son  of  John  and  Marinda  (Stevens)  Davis;  youngest, 
but  one,  of  eight  children,  six  boys  and  two  girls,  and  worked  upon  his  father's  farm  until 
enlistment. 

In  all  the  battles,  except  Cold  Harbor  and  Siege  of  Petersburg.  He  was  wounded 
twice  at  Gettysburg,  in  right  foot  and  arm,  and  once  at  Relay  House  by  shell  striking  him 
in  thigh,  eight  being  wounded  by  same  shell,  Abner  H.  Prescott  fatally.  At  Chancellors 
ville  he  was  one  of  the  few  who  came  out  last  under  Lieutenant  Bedee. 

Married  October  In,  1866,  to  Anna  C.  M.,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Sanborn,  of  Laconia. 
Children,  Ina  M.,  Albert  R.  T.,  and  Mabel  E.,  all  living.  Since  the  war,  a  merchant  arid 
confectioner,  residing  and  doing  business  in  Manchester,  and  in  Worcester  and  Fall  River, 
Mass.,  and  wherever  known  he  is  honored  and  respected  as  an  honest,  Christian  man. 


CORP.  GEORGE    W.    DEARBORN. 

Born  in  Ossipee,  November,  183o,  and  the  youngest  son  of  George  W.  and  Martha 
(Derneritt)  Dearborn.  His  grandfather  was  an  own  brother  of  General,  of  Revolutionary 
fame,  and  was  in  the  same  war. 

He  served  most  of  the  time  as  teamster,  and  narrowly  escaped  being  captured  with  the 
ammunition  train  at  Chancellorsville. 

Married  in  1870,  to  Jennie  S.  Clifford,  of  Gilmanton,  and  previously  married  to  Amond 
Dow.  Children,  Elmer  W.,  Sarah  L.,  Hattie  E.,  and  Etherlyn  B.,  all  but  the  first  named 
by  the  second  wife. 

He  was  of  a  lively  and  jovial  disposition,  and  a  kind  hearted  man. 
*The  incident  here  referred  to  and  found  on  page  451,  was  by  mistake  credited  to  Company  E. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


655 


B.  B.  L.  6-0. 
CORP.  NEWELL  DAVIDSON. 


B.  B.  L.  5-5. 
CHARLES  A.  DAVIS. 


B.  Bk.  F.  5-1  I  \. 
CORP.  GEORGE  \V.  DEARBORN. 


656  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

CORP.  GEORGE   W.  DOCK  RAM. 

Born  in  Charlestown,  Mass.,  January  25,  1844.  Son  of  Josiah  B.,  and  Sophia  (Berry) 
Dockhain. 

Sick  and  left  at  Washington,  where,  after  partial  recovery,  he  was  sometime  on  de 
tached  service,  rejoining  the  regiment  at  Point  Lookout,  in  August,  1863,  and  continuing 
with  it  through  the  battles  and  skirmishes,  under  Butler,  including  Swift  Creek  and 
Drury's  Bluff,  until  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was  severely  wounded.  He  joined  his  company 
again  after  the  Siege  of  Petersburg  and  was  taken  prisoner  at  Bermuda  Front,  in  the  fall 
of  1864,  and  confined  in  Libby  and  Salisbury  prisons  until  exchanged,  April  27,  1865. 

Married  April  8,  1868,  to  Ellen  A.  Powers,  of  Warren,  Mass.,  by  whom  he  has  the  fol 
lowing  children  :  Nellie  A.,  Addie  M.,  Belle  A.,  Clarence  J.,  Mary  S.,  Grace  E.,  Edith  L., 
and  George  W.,  Jr.  His  oldest  son,  Clarence  J.,  has  served  three  years  in  the  regular 
army,  making  five  out  of  six  generations  that  have  done  service. 

The  record  of  this  brave  soldier  is  another  illustration  that  "  blood  will  tell."  The 
names  of  his  ancestors  for  two  or  three  generations  may  be  found  in  the  military  rolls  of 
his  country  ;  and  his  own  deeds  and  suffering,  on  the  field  and  in  prison,  he  has  added  new 
lustre  to  the  family  record  of  patriotism  and  valor. 


JOHN   N.    DOCKHAM. 

Son  of  Morse  B.  and  Matilda  R.  (Saltmarsh)  Dockham,  and  born  iu  Gilford,  January 
19,  1839. 

After  Fredericksburg,  he  did  no  active  service  until  1864,  when,  according  to  his  own 
report,  he  was  in  the  battles  of  Drury's  Bluff  and  Cold  Harbor.  He  was  reported  sick  for 
a  long  time  and  rejoined  regiment  at  Point  Lookout.  On  detached  duty  as  pioneer  at 
Base  Hospital  at  Point  of  Rocks,  for  a  while. 

Married  Mehitable  L.  Smith,  by  whom  he  has  one  son,  Levi  S. 

Since  the  war,  a  farmer. 


CHARLES   W.  DOLLOFF. 

Son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Webster  Davis)  Dollorf,  was  born  in  Meredith,  March  20, 
1833. 

Married  Laura  A.  Davis,  of  Gilford,  March  15,  1858,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Benja 
min  W.,  who  died  before  he  enlisted. 

Enlisted  August  13,  1862.  Discharged,  on  account  of  wounds,  August  30,  1863.  In 
the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville.  Severely  wounded  at  last  battle  in 
right  fore  arm.  He  inherits  the  true  grit  of  his  great-grandfather,  Thomas  Dolloff,  who 
was  a  pensioner  of  the  Revolutionary  War.  Refusing  to  go  into  the  Invalid  Corps,  and 
accepting  his  discharge  only  when  his  efforts  to  get  sent  to  his  regiment  for  duty  were 
found  to  be  futile.  He  lives  a  highly  respected  citizen  of  Concord. 

His  occupation  has  been  a  wheelwright  and  iron  moulder. 


FREEMAN    F.  ELKINS. 

This  soldier  is  the  son  of  Samuel  B.  and  Judith  (Davis)  Elkins,  and  was  born  in  Gil 
ford  Village,  November  3,  1842. 

He  was  with  the  regiment  in  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  being 
captured  in  the  latter  battle  and  confined  in  Libby  and  Bell  Isle  prisons  a  few  days  each. 
According  to  the  state  roster  he  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  but  this  is 
a  mistake.  Discharged  on  account  of  lung  and  throat  trouble  contracted  in  the  service. 

lie  was  married  to  Augusta  S.  Leavitt,  of  Moultonborough,  January  12,  1874,  and  had 
two  children,  Herbert  F.,  and  Erving  G.,  who  died  in  1885. 

Occupation,  a  carpenter. 


JVcw  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


657 


B.  B.  L.  5~6|. 
CORP.  GKORGE  \V.  DOCKHAM. 


B.  L.  L.  6-O. 
JOHN  X.  DOCKHAM. 


B.  B.  L.  5-7 .J. 
CHARLES  W.  DOLLOFF. 


B.  Bk.  L.  =5-10. 
FREEMAN  F.  ELKINS. 


658  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

SMITH    X.  ELLSWORTH. 

This  courageous  and  loyal  supporter  of  the  nation's  flag  appeared  upon  the  earth  on 
July  17,  1843,  in  the  town  of  Gilmanton.  Son  of  Nathaniel  and  Rachel  (Xason)  Ellsworth. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  being  wounded  severely 
in  last  named  battle  by  a  ball  which  struck  him  in  left  ankle  soon  after  going  into  battle 
and  which  has  been  in  his  leg  ever  since.  He  was  discharged  on  account  of  disability,  at 
Portsmouth  Grove,  R.  I.,  from  which  place  he  returned  home. 

He  first  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  John  Lyford,  of  Canterbury,  July  19,  1869,  by 
whom  he  had  one  son,  Lyford.  His  second  wife  was  Clara  E.,  daughter  of  Timothy  Drew, 
of  Pembroke,  and  has  one  son,  Frank  D. 

He  has  for  years  acted  as  a  clerk  in  store,  and  now  resides  in  Belmont  where  he  is 
highly  respected  and  has  served  four  terms  as  selectman  of  that  place. 


DEXTER    B.   FOGG. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  one  of  the  tallest  in  the  regiment,  was  born  in  Centre  Har 
bor,  December  4,  1827,  and  was  the  son  of  Isaiah  and  Sarah  (Libbey)  Fogg,  his  father 
being  the  son  of  Stephen  Fogg,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution. 

Married,  October  22,  1857,  to  Judith  A.,  daughter  of  Abraham  L.  Morrison,  of  San- 
bornton,  and  William  P.  is  their  only  child. 

Wounded  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  by  minie  ball  in  left  hand,  and  after  leaving 
the  hospital  was,  on  account  of  his  partially  disabled  hand  and  feeble  health,  transferred 
to  Invalid  Corps  (see  roster)  and  sent  to  Carver  hospital,  Washington,  for  light  duty  as 
nurse,  etc.,  where  he  remained  until  discharged.  He  was  also  with  the  regiment  through 
the  battle  of  Fredericksburg. 

His  chief  occupation  was  farming,  though  he  taught  school  for  several  years,  and 
being  a  man  well  informed,  of  good  judgment  and  conscientious,  was  a  good  and  safe 
advisor. 

His  widow,  still  living,  writes  of  him  :  "  He  experienced  religion  while  in  the  war, 
and  he  often  said  that  he  never  regretted  going,  for  that  reason  alone,  for  otherwise  he 
would  never,  perhaps,  have  been  converted."  He  united  with  the  church  at  Sandwich, 
soon  after  the  war,  and  removed  from  Moultonborough  to  Methuen,  Mass.,  in  1870.  A 
brave  soldier,  and  good  man. 


NATHANIEL   FOLSOM,  JR. 

This  soldier  was  born  in  Gilford  in  the  year  1818,  and  resided  in  that  place  until  he 
enlisted,  September  9,  1862.  On  account  of  ill  health  he  was  unable  to  do  service  much  of 
the  time. 

He  is  believed  to  have  been  in  battle  of  Fredericksburg.  Afterwards,  being  perma 
nently  disabled,  he  was  discharged  at  Washington,  March  26,  1863. 

He  has  resided  since  the  war  at  The  Weirs,  where  he  has  been  occupied  in  farming. 

His  marriage  to  Nancy  H.  Adams  occurred  November  15,  1845. 

He  is  reported  to  the  author  as  a  good  man. 


CHARLES   S.  GILMAN. 

On  October  16,  1837,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Charlestown,  Vt.,  and  his 
parents  were  Nemirah  S.  and  Elsie  (Maloon)  Gilrnan,  of  Gilford.  His  grandfather  was  in 
the  War  of  1812. 

He  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Bermuda  Front, 
Swift  Creek,  Chapin's  Farm,  Siege  of  Petersburg,  and  Capture  of  Richmond.  With  the 
exception  of  Gettysburg,  at  that  time  being  prisoner,  he  was  in  all  engagements  of  the 
regiment.  He  was  on  detached  duty  in  Captain  Cooley's  company  of  sharpshooters  at  one 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


659 


H.   B.    D.    ^-9. 
SMITH    X.    ELLSWORTH. 


H.    Bk.    D.   6-1. 
DEXTER    B.    FOGG. 


D.   A.    D.   5~IC£. 
NATHANIEL    FOLSOM,  JR. 


B.   A.   L.   5-8. 
CHARLES    S.   OILMAN. 


660  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

time.  He  was  captured  by  the  rebels  at  Chancellorsville  and  sent  to  Parole  Camp,  Annap 
olis,  Md.  Wounded  in  knee  by  minie  ball,  June  28.  1864.  He  never  was  excused  from 
duty,  except  when  wounded,  but  one  day  or  two  at  Falmouth.  At  Cold  Harbor  he  was 
wounded  slightly  in  head  and  in  side  at  Drury's  Bluff. 

Married  June  20,  1860,  to  Elizabeth  Creedon,  of  Manchester,  by  whom  he  has  one  boy 
and  two  girls. 

Machinist  before  and  since  the  war. 


GEORGE   W.  HICKS. 

Born  in  Lyndon,  Vt.,  November  9.  1824.  Died  at  Lakeport,  March  6,  1886.  Son  of 
Jesse  and  Elmira  (Cawkins)  Hicks. 

Married  Harriet  C.  Farr,  of  Kerby,  Vt.,  May  23,  1847,  and  their  children,  Emma  R., 
Ellen  E.,  Corydon  F.,  Adah  M.,  Georgeanna  M.,  and  John  H.,  are  all  living  except  the  last, 
who  died  in  infancy. 

This  soldier  was  an  engineer  when  he  enlisted,  and  acted  as  such  and  as  railroad 
police  after  his  discharge.  He  had  in  earlier  life  been  a  butcher  for  a  while  and  was  soon 
detailed  to  act  in  that  capacity,  first  for  the  regiment,  and  later  for  the  commissary  de 
partments  of  the  division  and  corps.  He  never  was  in  any  battle,  but  saw  General  Sickles 
when  he  was  carried  back  from  the  field  of  Gettysburg,  where  he  says  he  came  near  being, 
taken  prisoner  by  the  rebel  cavalry. 

The  cut  represents  him  in  his  butcher's  suit  as  worn  in  the  army. 


CHARLES   H.  HORNE. 

Born  in  Moulton  borough,  March  31,  1842,  where  he  lived  and  enlisted,  and  was  the 
son  of  Thomas  and  Martha  (Davis)  Home. 

He  was  in  Carver  hospital,  at  Washington,  from  January  1  to  August,  1863.  He 
was  in  the  battles  of  Swift  Creek,  Petersburg,  and  in  everything  after  Point  Lookout.  He 
was  wounded  in  the  head  at  Drury's  Bluff,  and  in  right  leg  by  buck  shot  while  on  picket 
along  the  Appomattox.  He  was  on  detached  duty  in  general  hospital  for  a  while.  On  the 
trip  from  Baltimore  to  AVashington,  he  stood  on  one  side  of  the  car  door  when  Darius 
Robinson  was  shot  on  the  other. 

On  August  16,  1862,  he  married  Annie,  daughter  of  Sewell  Morrill.  His  three 
children,  Henry  C.,  Lillie  E.,  and  Carrie  L.,  were  all  living  when  last  heard  from. 

He  has  been  for  many  years  a  respected  resident  of  Laconia. 


SERGT.   CHARLES  W.  HOYT. 

Here  is  the  picture  of  "Bunyan,"as  he  was  always  called  by  his  comrades  in  the  army, 
and  by  which  name  he  is  still  best  known  among  them.  Why  he  was  so  called  was  not 
because  he  was  ever  a  tinker  or  a  preacher,  yet  it  was  not  altogether  a  misnomer,  for,  cer 
tain  it  is,  that  in  absolute  independence  of  thought  and  action  he  was  not  unlike  his  great 
namesake. 

Son  of  Nathaniel  and  Eliza  M.  (Dyer)  Hoyt  and  was  born  in  Wolfeborough,  February 
1,  1842. 

Married  to  Mary  A.  McDaniel,  of  Tamworth,  January  1,  1866.  Children,  Frank  E.,. 
Charles  M.  (died  in  infancy),  and  Helen  A. 

In  all  the  battles  of  the  regiment  from  Fredericksburg  to  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was- 
so  severely  wounded  as  to  disable  him  from  further  service  in  the  ranks ;  also,  wounded 
three  times  in  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville  and  Gettysburg.  He  was  color  sergeant  for- 
some  time  and  carried  the  stars  and  stripes  through  the  battles  of  Drury's  Bluff  and  Cold 
Harbor,*  and  the  bullet  that  passed  through  his  hand  and  embedded  itself  in  the  flag  staff' 
with  a  piece  of  bone,  is  still  in  his  possession.  He  narrowly  escaped  from  the  battle-field* 

*  See  page  377. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


66 1 


R.   Bk.   D.  5-I0.1,. 
GEORGE    W.    HICKS. 


B.    Bk.    D.   5-9^. 
CHARLES    H.   HORNE. 


H.    F..    L.   5-1  1 4-. 
SERGT.    CHARLES    W.   HOVT. 


662  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

with  the  colors  after  being  wounded.  Standing  over  six  feet  in  his  low-heeled  army 
shoes,  with  a  fine  form  and  development  of  body  and  limb,  and  a  countenance  that 
bespeaks  the  will  and  courage  of  the  man,  he  was  an  ideal  soldier,  and  despite  his  hard 
ships  and  his  wounds  he  still  looks  in  the  prime  of  vigorous  manhood  and  a  match  for  any 
"  Johnny  "  that  would  dare  play  a  bayonet  toss  game  with  him.  After  being  wounded 
at  Cold  Harbor  he  walked  about  twelve  miles  to  White  House  landing,  which  he  reached 
about  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  here  found  Dr.  Fowler  who  dressed  his  wound. 


SERGT.   HARRY   P.  HUDSON.* 

A  glance  at  this  soldier's  picture  tells  better  than  words  that  smiling  youth,  side  by 
side  with  stern  and  ripened  manhood,  was  found  in  the  ranks  of  the  Twelfth,  as  in  every 
other  regiment  of  the  armies,  north  as  well  as  south  ;  and  from  this  brief  sketch  the  reader 
will  learn  that  young  hearts  are  not  only  quick  and  warm,  but  noble,  true,  and  brave. 

This  soldier  is  the  second  of  thirteen  children  of  True  P.  and  Eunice  C.  (Brown)  Dow, 
and  was  born  in  Moultonborough,  September  10,  1844. 

Sick  with  typhoid  fever  when  the  regiment  left  Concord,  he  was  not  able  to  report  to 
it  for  duty  until  after  Fredericksburg,  but  was  in  every  other  battle  and  every  skirmish, 
march,  and  bivouac,  of  his  command  to  the  end  of  the  war,  but  never  wounded. 

January  28,  1867,  married  to  Etta,  daughter  of  Ashel  Baker,  who  was  born  on  the 
ocean's  wave,  December  27,  1842,  while  her  parents  were  on  the  way  from  England  to  this 
country.  Although  no  children  have  blessed  this  union  he  will  leave  behind  him  a  name 
and  fame  that  history  will  preserve,  and  posterity  proudly  cherish. 


HOSP.    STEWARD  THOMAS   E.  HUNT. 

Hospital  steward  of  the  regiment;  was  born  in  Gilford,  September  5,  1839,  and  is  the 
son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Julia  A.  (Blaisdell)  Hunt,  and  the  brother  of  Dr.  Hunt  (see  sketch), 
and  of  the  wife  of  M.  C.  Dexter,  of  this  company. 

August,  1862,  was  an  eventful  month  for  this  soldier,  for  he  not  only  enlisted  for  "three 
years  or  the  war,"  but  a  few  days  before,  August  24,  formed  a  co-partnership  for  life  with 
Ruth  E.  U.,  daughter  of  Simeon  Hoyt,  of  Gilford,  being  before  many  years  joint  owners 
of  two  boys,  Charles  W.  and  Perry  E. 

lie  was  present  at  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Gettysburg,  Swift  Creek,  Drury's 
Bluff,  Port  "Walthall,  Cold  Harbor,  and  Capture  of  Richmond,  and  was  chief  steward  at 
Point  of  Rocks  general  hospital  in  1864.  and  in  Camp  Lee  hospital  at  Richmond  in  1865. 

Occupation,  a  farmer  ;  and  he  lives  on  the  old  homestead  in  Gilford,  where  can  be  seen 
the  gun  that  his  grandfather,  Enoch  Hunt,  took  from  a  Hessian  soldier  at  the  battle  of 
Monmouth. 


WILLIAM    L.  JOHNSTON. 

The  youngest  of  five  children,  four  boys  and  one  girl,  of  John  and  Eleanor  (Lucus) 
Johnston,  and  born  in  Tamworth,  in  1831. 

He  was  slightly  wounded  in  right  arm  at  Chancellorsville,  and  wounded  twice,  once 
severely,  laming  him  for  life,  at  Gettysburg.  His  wife  went  out  to  Gettysburg  to  care  for 
him,  and  remained  as  nurse  in  field  hospital  there  for  four  months,  leaving  with  her  hus 
band  when  he  was  able  to  return.  Her  constant  care  and  attention  were  undoubtedly  the 
means  of  saving  his  life. 

This  brave  soldier  was  married  to  Lydia  Ann,  daughter  of  Albert  Whittier,  of  Lake- 
port,  before  the  war.  Their  children,  Emma  E.,  Addie  L,  Frank  W.,  Minnie  L.,  and 
Harry  L.,  all  dead  but  two.  He  died  at  Concord,  September  28,  1895,  from  the  effects  of 
his  wound,  with  which  he  had  long  suffered. 

'Changed  from  Dow  to  Hudson  after  the  war. 


~civ  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


663 


H.  B.  L.  5~6i. 

SERGT.    HARRY    P.   HUDSON. 


Bk.    B.    L.   5-1 
HOSP.   STEWARD    TIIOS.    E.    HUNT. 


B.   A.    L.   5-9 1. 
WILLIAM    L.  JOHNSTON. 


664  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

JOHN   KNIGHTS. 

Was  born  in  London,  England,  May  1,  1817,  and  came  to  America  when  he  was  six 
years  old.  His  parents  were  Charles  and  Rebecca  (Wright)  Knights. 

He  was  with  the  regiment  all  the  time  until  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was  wounded  in 
left  foot  by  shell  and  also  received  a  wound  in  his  right  shoulder.  At  Chapin's  Farm  he 
rejoined  the  regiment, and  was  one  of  the  one  hundred  and  sixty  out  of  the  brigade  on 
skirmish  line  the  morning  that  they  went  into  Richmond. 

He  was  united  in  marriage,  June,  1852,  to  Emily  Dearborn,  sister  of  George  W.  Dear 
born,  of  this  company  (see  sketch).  Children,  Leonard.  Ellen  ().,  and  George  W. 

Though  born  on  English  soil,  he  fought  none  the  less  bravely  for  America  and  her 
free  institutions.  Of  his  death  see  roster. 


LIEUT.  JOHX   P.  LANE. 

Son  of  John  and  Susan  Munsey  Lane;  born  in  Gloucester,  Mass.,  November  8,  1833. 

He  was  married  to  Susan  L.,  daughter  of  Jonathan  L.  Robbins,  of  New  York  state. 
September  24.  1854.  His  children,  Emma  J.  and  Luther  J.,  are  both  living.  His  grand 
father  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution. 

In  all  the  battles  of  the  regiment  except  Chancellorsville  and  Gettysburg.  In  Febru 
ary,  1863,  on  the  day  after  he  was  promoted  to  sergeant,  he  was  detailed  to  go  to  General 
Sickles'  headquarters  on  guard  duty  and  remained  at  Falmouth  on  this  account  during  the 
battle  of  Chancellorsville.  On  the  march  to  Gettysburg  he  was  taken  sick  with  typhoid 
fever  at  Gum  Springs,  and  left  at  Frederick  city  hospital  to  die,  by  Dr.  Fowler.  Hut  he 
recovered  sufficiently  to  report  to  his  company,  October,  1863.  At  the  battle  of  Cold  Har 
bor  he  was  wounded  twice,  slightly  ;  in  front  of  Petersburg  once,  in  shoulders;  and  severely 
through  groin  and  hip  at  Bermuda  Hundred. 

Lieutenant  Lane,  from  a  private  up  to  his  present  rank,  was  always  prompt,  trusty, 
and  efficient.  Possessing  a  kind  heart  and  clear  head,  he  soon  won  the  love  and  respect 
of  both  men  and  officers,  and  is  to-day  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  know  him.  He  lias 
been  for  many  years  treasurer  of  the  regimental  association,  and  one  of  its  most  active  and 
honored  members. 

He  is  a  machinist  by  trade,  working  for  the  same  man,  or  firm,  for  some  years  before 
and  ever  since  the  war. 


JOHX   B.  LEIGHTON. 

Oldest  child  of  Jonathan  and  Nancy  (Blakely)  Leighton ;  born  August  6,  1824,  in  the 
town  of  Moultonborough.  Brother,  Calvin  !>.,  in  the  Mexican  War. 

In  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  and  severely  wounded  in  last  battle  by  musket 
ball  through  right  leg,  below  the  knee,  injuring  the  bones  and  lay  uncared  for  on  the  field 
until  Thursday  afternoon  when  he  got  four  rebel  soldiers,  at  the  price  of  two  dollars  apiece,  to 
carry  him  on  a  blanket  to  the  field  hosiptal,  where  he  remained  several  days  before  being 
paroled  and  sent  across  the  river  to  Potomac  Creek.  Tibbetts  and  Wadleigh,  of  his  company, 
helped  him  back  to  the  brook  on  the  retreat.  See  anecdotes.* 

Married  in  Pennsylvania  to  Elizabeth  J.  Girard  ;  no  children. 

From  Potomac  Creek  he  was  sent  to  Alexandria,  Washington,  and  then  to  Lovering 
hospital,  Portsmouth  Grove,  R.  I.,  where  he  received  his  final  discharge  on  account  of  his 
wound,  and  thus  ended  a  service  for  freedom  that  will  be  appreciated  by  those  who  shall 
enjoy  her  blessing.  He  died  in  June,  1891. 

*See  page  404. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


665 


B.    B.  L.   5-7. 
JOHN     KNIGHTS. 


H.   B.    L.   5-5^. 
LIEUT.  JOHN'    P.   LANE. 


B.    B.    I..    S-6;<. 
JOHN    B.   LEIGHTON. 


666  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

EDWIN   MUNSEY. 

Son  of  George  W.  and  Hannah  (Oilman)  Munsey,  and  born  in  Gilford,  September  17, 
1844. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Chapin's  Farm,  and 
others.  He  was  on  detached  service  at  Division  headquarters,  in  the  fall  of  1864,  at  Chap 
in's  Farm. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  he  changed  his  abode  in  New  England  for  the  flowery 
clime  in  California,  where  he  now  resides  (see  roster). 

He  married  Annette  Weeks  and  had  two  children,  one  daughter  and  one  son,  whose 
names  are  not  known. 

He  has  been  engaged  in  the  wholesale  manufacture  of  confectionery. 


SERGT.   JAMES  M.  NOYES. 

Birthplace,  Warren  ;  time,  August  10,  1842  ;  and  his  parents,  Enoch  and  Mary  (Ham- 
mon)  Noyes. 

In  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Swift  Creek,  Relay  House,  and  Capture  of 
Richmond.  The  battles  of  the  regiment  he  was  not  in  were  fought  while  he  was  disabled 
by  wounds.  Wounded  at  ChanceHorsville  in  right  arm  and  ankle,  and  again  in  right  arm 
at  Relay  House.  Speaking  of  this  wound,  he  relates :  "  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  14th 
of  May,'  1864,  the  battle  of  'Relay  House,'  I  was  sent  out  with  a  squad  of  men  to  ascertain 
where  our  pickets  were  posted  and  was  hit  by  a  musket  ball  that  broke  my  right  arm. 
Returned  just  after  Chapin's  Farm  battle,  and  found  the  regiment  encamped  there."  He 
had  two  brothers  in  the  war,  Henry  D.,  in  Twenty-first  Maine,  and  Caleb  H.,  in  a  Con 
necticut  regiment. 

Occupation  before  enlistment,  a  farmer  and  school  teacher ;  since  discharge  a  confec 
tioner. 

Married  first  to  Martha  A.  Kimball  in  December,  1867  ;  second  to  Mary  E.  Kimball, 
sister  of  former,  June  9,  1884.  Florence  R.  and  Maude  E.,  children  by  first  marriage. 

His  company,  officers  and  comrades,  when  speaking  of  him  as  a  soldier  say  :  "  A 
No.  1,"  "One  of  the  best,"  "  None  better,"  etc.,  and  none  of  his  acquaintances  will  hesitate 
to  write  "ditto"  under  it  all  as  expressed  as  their  own  opinion  of  him  as  a  friend  and 
neighbor. 


SERGT.  ALFRED  G.  SANBORN. 

Near  this  sketch  is  the  picture  of  another  of  the  faithful  and  fortunate  heroes  of  Com 
pany  G,  as  he  looked  when  he  donned  the  blue.  He  is  the  son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Martha 
Ann  (Leavitt)  Sanborn,  and  was  born  in  Tut'ton  bo  rough,  October  21,  1840.  His  father 
was  captain  in  state  militia,  and  his  grandfather,  Leavitt  (John  \V.),  was  a  sergeant  in  the 
War  of  1812. 

Married  Mora  F.  A.  Phippen,  of  Boston,  June  21,  1871.  Children,  Mary  E.,  George  P., 
and  Alice  B. 

At  the  time  of  the  attack  on  our  picket  line,  November  17,  1864,  he  was  on  detail  as 
forage  sergeant;  with  the  exception  of  this  he  was  in  every  place  where  the  regiment  was 
under  the  enemy's  fire,  but  never  wounded  except  slightly  in  left  shoulder  at  Chancellors 
ville. 

This  is  a  record  that  speaks  louder  than  any  other  words  can  of  the  patriotism,  cour 
age,  and  physical  endurance  of  him  who  made  it.  He  was  one  of  the  very  few  who  was 
both  lucky  and  plucky  enough  to  follow  the  colors  from  the  beginning  to  the  end. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


667 


B.     B.    D.    5-5. 
EDWIN    MUNSEY. 


B.    B.    I,.   5-5. 
SEKGT.  JAMES    M.   NOYES. 


B.    L.  L.   5-6f . 
SEKOT.    ALFRED    G.    SANBOKN. 


668  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

CLIXTOX    A.  SHAW. 

This  grandson  of  a  soldier  of  187(3,  and  son  of  another  of  1812,  making  three  gener 
ations  serving  in  as  many  "wars,  was  Lorn  May  8,  1832,  and  is  the  child  of  Joseph  and 
Lovey  (Bl.inchard)  Shaw,  then  residents  of  Salisbury. 

Married  August  6, 1861,  to  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Brown,  of  Mo  ul  ton  bo  rough, 
and  their  children,  John  H.  and  Fannie  E.,  are  both  dead.  Married  Alminer  Brown,  sister 
to  first  wife,  September  17,  1882.  Children,  Maurice  F.,  Ida  Q.,  and  Howard  C.  Charles 
II.,  brother  of  his  wife,  in  Third  Xew  Hampshire  Volunteers,  was  accidently  shot  and  died 
on  Ship  Island,  S.  C. 

In  all  battles  of  regiment  but  Cemetery  Hill,  Bermuda  Hundred,  and  Capture  of  Rich 
mond.  Sick  in  hospital  a  while  in  summer  and  fall  of  1864.  and  then  serving  on  General 
Butler's  flag  of  truce  boat  for  exchange  of  prisoners  until  end  of  the  war. 

Occupation,  farming;  but  for  years  disabled  and  now  almost  helpless  from  the  effects 
of  chronic  rheumatism  contracted  in  the  service.  At  Chancellorsville  a  minie  ball  went 
through  his  coat  sleeve  and  shattered  his  gun  stock,  and  another  musket  that  he  picked  up 
and  fought  through  the  battle  with  is  still  in  his  possession. 


CAPT.  ARTHUR  ST.  CLAIR   SMITH. 

This  officer,  the  oldest  son  of  Joshua  R.  and  Clarissa  C.  (Crockett)  Smith,  was  born 
February  14,  1841,  and  is  the  great-grandson  of  Hon.  Ebenezer  Smith,  one  of  the  first  set 
tlers  of  Meredith,  and  great-great-grandson  of  two  soldiers  of  the  Revolution. 

Ebene/er,  aforesaid,  called  and  held  in  his  house  the  first  town  meeting,  being  then, 
March  20,  1709,  elected  town  clerk  and  selectman,  and  holding  the  latter  office  as  long  as 
,he  lived,  or  for  thirty-six  years.  He  was  also  representative,  senator,  and  judge,  and  held 
many  other  offices  of  honor  and  trust. 

Inheriting  the  public  spirit  and  patriotism  of  his  ancestors,  Arthur  St.  Clair  left  the 
academy  at  New  London  in  1861,  and  went  home  to  enlist,  but  his  widowed  mother,  his 
father  having  been  accidently  killed  in  California  three  years  before,  persuaded  him  to 
return  to  his  school,  where  he  impatiently  remained  until  the  new  call  for  troops  in  1862, 
when  "  I  could  no  longer  study,"  as  he  says,  "and  went  home  again  to  enlist."  Assisted 
by  Adjutant-General  Colby,  he  enlisted  forty  or  fifty  men  for  Company  G,  but  waiving  his 
claim  to  rank  was  elected  first  sergeant,  instead  of  lieutenant,  as  he  might  have  been.  His 
brother,  Henry  J.,  of  the  same  company,  was  killed  at  Gettysburg  (see  sketch). 

In  all  the  battles  of  the  regiment  to  Cold  Harbor,  but  Gettysburg  and  Wapping  Heights, 
when  he  was  still  suffering  from  a  severe  wound  received  in  arm  at  Chancellorsville, 
where  his  equipment  were  perforated  with  bullets.  At  Cold  Harbor  he  was  struck  five 
times,  being  wounded  twice,  and  having  musket  or  grape  shot  through  hat,  haversack,  and 
coat.  He  says:  "I  shall  never  forget  my  ambulance  ride  with  Captain  Shackford  from 
Cold  Harbor  to  White  House  landing."*  Rejoined  the  regiment  after  the  Siege  of  Peters 
burg,  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Bermuda  Hundred,  and  led  a  provisional  battalion,  that 
he  commanded  for  a  while,  into  Richmond.  Of  Captain  Smith's  services  at  Danville,  Va., 
see  pages  302  and  310,  chapter  XV. 

He  was  married  December  10,  1868,  to  Harriet  R.  Baker,  of  Portland,  Me.  Children, 
Albert  H.,  Kate  E.  (deceased),  Arthur  St.  Clair,  Percy  P.,  and  Leigh  B.,  and  one,  oldest  of 
all,  who  died  in  infancy. 

After  the  war  he  received  the  degree  of  L.  L.  B.,  from  the  Albany  Law  School,  N.  Y., 
and  settled  in  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa.  He  has  been  judge  of  the  municipal  court,  and  was 
elected  to  the  legislature  by  several  thousand  plurality  though  a  candidate  of  the  minority. 

lie  died  December  19,  1895. 

GEORGE    H.  SMITH. 

Tliis  soldier,  the  descendent  of  a  brave  and  patriotic  ancestry,  and  the  son  of  Joshua  M* 
and  Sally  (Durgin)  Smith,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Sanbornton,  May,  1836. 

In  December,  1859,  he  married  Mary  Bunker,  of  Tamworth,  by  whom  he  had  one  child, 
Austin,  now  living,  who  was  a  babe  in  his  mother's  arms,  when  his  father  went  to  the  war. 

*  See  page  216  et  seq. 


Tew  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


669 


B.    DB.    D.   5-7. 
CLINTON    A.    SHAW. 


B.    B.    L.   5-8. 
CAPT.   ARTHUR    ST.   CLAIR    SMITH. 


B.    LB.   I..   5-7. 
GEORGE    H.   SMITH. 


670  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

His  brothers,  Charles  W.  and  Winthrop  II.,  were  in  the  Sixth  and  Fifteenth  New 
Hampshire,  respectively,  and  both  in  the  New  Hampshire  Heavy  Artillery.  His  great 
grandfather,  Solomon,  went  with  his  seven  sons  to  the  battle  of  Hunker  Hill ;  and  Stephen, 
the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  taken  prisoner,  carried  to  England  and 
confined  for  some  time  in  a  prison  ship.  In  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  where 
he  fell  just  as  the  regiment  arose  from  the  brook  to  meet  the  enemy  in  the  woods.*  In  a 
letter  to  his  brother  a  short  time  before  the  battle,  when  he  seemed  to  feel  the  chilling 
shade  of  the  coining  night,  he  writes  in  that  spirit  of  devotion  to  his  country  and  resigna 
tion  to  his  fate  that  shows  him  to  have  been,  what  he  really  was,  a  Christian  patriot. 


CORP.    HENRY  J.  SMITH. 

This  hero  of  the  battle-field,  whom  to  conquer  was  to  kill,  was  born  in  Meredith  (now 
Laconia),  August  8,  1843,  and  was  the  son  of  Joshua  R.  and  Clarissa  C.  (Crockett)  Smith. 
Brother  of  Capt.  Arthur  St.  Clair  (see  sketch). 

He  was  in  and  through  all  that  his  regiment  was,  until  he  was  cut  down  by  a  minie 
ball  through  both  thighs  on  the  field  of  Gettysburg.  Sergeant  Clark  says  :  "  Wounded  in 
thigh  and  back."  Both  the  Union  and  Confederate  lines  of  battle  passed  over  him  after 
he  fell,  and  one  of  the  officers  horses  trod  upon  him.  He  lay  on  the  field  all  night  before 
he  was  removed  to  hospital.  At  Chancellorsville  he  was  wounded  by  a  minie  ball  that 
struck  his  jackknife  in  his  pants'  pocket,  knocking  out  or  back  the  blades,  bedding  itself 
between  the  two  outside  casings,  and  producing  a  severe  and  dangerous  contusion  in  his 
groin.  He  was  sent  to  hospital,  but  would  not  stay  because,  as  he  told  his  brother,  who 
met  him  the  next  day  on  his  way  to  the  front  again  to  find  his  regiment,  he  was  ashamed 
to  be  seen  there  with  so  slight  a  wound,  though  it  was  looking;  badly  and  much  swollen. 
In  this  battle  he  not  only  used  up  all  his  own  ammunition  but  supplied  himself  with  more 
from  the  cartridge  boxes  of  the  dead  and  wounded  even  after  he  was  himself  wounded. 
All  of  his  comrades  speak  of  him  in  high  terms  of  praise,  and  one  of  them  in  writing  of 
him  says  :  "  He  was  young  and  of  slight  build,  but  a  company  such  as  he  would  be  the 
pride  of  any  commander."  He  lived  some  time  after  wounded  (see  roster).  His  body  was 
sent  home  and  buried  in  the  family  cemetery  at  Laconia. 


SERGT.   EDMUND  TEBBETTS. 

Here  is  the  picture  of  a  man  who  should  have  his  name  written  in  letters  of  gold  as 
being  the  only  volunteer  from  the  state  of  New  Hampshire,  if  not  from  any  state  of  the 
north,  who  went  through  nearly  three  years  of  the  Rebellion  in  a  regiment  that  saw  as 
much  field  service  as  the  Twelfth,  without  being  absent  from  any  cause,  for  one  single  day 
and  only  one  night  except  when  on  picket.f  Yet  he  was  nearly  up  to  the  age  of  exemption 
when  he  enlisted,  being  born  in  Farraington,  March  1,  1818.  His  father's  name  was  the 
same  as  that  of  his  brave-hearted  son  ;  and  his  mother's  name,  before  marriage,  was  Sarah 
Colomy. 

Though  in  every  battle  and  skirmish,  he  was  never  more  sevei'ely  wounded  than  to 
have  his  cheek  peeled  by  a  minie  ball  at  Chancellorsville,  and  part  of  his  whiskers  shaved 
off  by  piece  of  shell  at  Cold  Harbor. 

Married  to  Saphronia,  daughter  of  John  Blake,  of  Ossipee,  November  20,  1846,  and  his 
two  children,  Ella  F.  and  Clarence  E.,  are  still  living;  another  child,  Frank,  died  young. 

Sergeant  Clarke  wrote  opposite  his  name  on  the  muster  roll :  "  Always  on  hand  and 
does  his  duty ;"  and  Lieutenant  Lane  says :  "  You  cannot  speak  too  highly  of  '  Old  Tib,' 
as  the  boys  used  to  call  him,  for  he  was  always  present  and  ready  to  obey  orders  without 
grunting,  growling,  or  grumbling."  And  the  same  sense  of  duty  that  bore  him  so  hero 
ically  into  and  through  all  the  dangers  and  hardships  of  his  regiment  here  and  now  impels 
the  pen  to  write  this  brief  sketch  in  justice  to  his  memory,  and  say  in  conclusion  thereof, 
that  whether  it  was  on  the  march,  the  camp  guard,  the  picket  line,  or  the  battle-field,  he  was 
the  same  resolute  and  reliable  hero  of  the  rank  and  file.  He  was  one  of  the  bravest  of  men. 

*  See  page  78  et  seq.  t  See  page  439. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


671 


B.    B.    L.   5-7. 
CORP.    HENRY   J.    SMITH. 


B.   G.   L.   5-6. 
SERGT.   EDMUND    TEBBETTS. 


B.   Bk.    L.   5-IO. 
BVT.   CAPT.  JOHN    S.   YEASEY 


672  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

BVT.  CAPT.  JOHX   S.  VEASP:Y. 

This  officer  was  born  in  Tunbridge,  Vt.,  in  1830,  and  was  the  youngest  of  three  boys 
and  six  girls,  all  children  of  Jeremiah  and  Sally  (Woodman)  Veasey,  and  the  grandchil 
dren  of  Jeremiah  Woodman,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

He  went  out  as  second  lieutenant  of  the  company,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Freder- 
icksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg. 

Married  Maria  Howe,  of  Manchester,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Laura  (deceased) 
and  Willie. 

He  was  killed  on  the  railroad,  May  15,  1864. 


CORP.   DANIEL    H.  WEBBER. 

This  corporal  died  at  Point  of  Rocks,  Va.,  by  reason  of  wounds  received  August  16, 
1864.  lie  was  the  son  of  John  and  Mahala  (Hopkins)  Webber,  and  born  in  Bath,  Me.,  in 
1836. 

In  all  the  engagements  until  mortally  wounded  in  front  of  Petersburg.  While  flank 
ing  the  enemy's  works,  a  ball  from  a  rebel  sharpshooter's  rifle  passed  through  his  bowels 
and  lodged  in  the  back  bone,  causing  his  death  in  about  twenty-four  hours.  This  was  early 
in  the  morning  of  the  15th  of  August.  He  was  buried  in  City  Point  cemetery. 

Married  July  10,  1862,  to  Mary  J.  Davis,  who  afterwards  became  the  wife  of  George 
B.  Lane.  His  children  are  Clara,  Belle,  and  Eldora,  who  died  November  25,  1863. 

Although  his  ashes  rest  in  southern  soil,  his  memory  still  survives  him  for  he  was- 
true  blue  and  a  plucky  soldier. 

EBEN   S.  WELCH. 

Light  first  came  to  him  at  Gilford,  January  9,  1841.  His  father's  and  mother's  names 
were  Samuel  and  Harriet  (Hunt)  Welch. 

In  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville.  Wounded  in  left  forearm  severely,  in  last 
named  battle,  which  so  far  disabled  him  that  he  was  discharged  a  few  months  afterward 
(see  roster).  His  brother,  George  D.,  served  during  the  war  in  the  Sixty-fourth  Regiment, 
United  States  Regulars. 

Married  December  24,  1865,  to  Celista  Buzzell,  and  the  names  of  their  children  are 
Clarence  E.,  George  D.,  Harriet  A.,  and  Lottie  M. 

After  the  war  he  removed  to  Uhl,  Kansas,  where  he  now  resides.  Occupation  before 
the  war,  dyer. 

CORP.  JOSEPH    F.  WENTWORTIL 

He  was  one  of  a  family  of  nine  children,  four  boys  and  five  girls,  and  was  born  in 
Moul  ton  borough,  June  18,  1841,  being  the  third  son  of  Clarke  and  Harriet  (Kaime)  AVent- 
worth.  He  worked  on  a  farm  and  attended  the  district  school  until  he  went  to  Dover, 
where  he  learned  the  painter's  trade.  AVhile  there  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ida  Mills 
in  the  spring  of  18(51. 

Returning  to  his  native  town,  he  remained  there  until  he  enlisted. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg,  receiving  a 
slight  wound  in  the  first  and  instantly  killed  in  the  last  named  battle. 

A  comrade  says  :  "  lie  was  a  kind  and  affectionate  brother,  a  steady  young  man,  and 
a  constant  reader  of  his  Bible.  He  had  many  friends." 


ANDREW    H.  WHITTIER. 

Killed  and  buried  on  the  field  of  Chancellorsville,  but  his  name  and  memory  will  sur 
vive  for  the  trustful  rnuse  of  history  will  keep  her  jewels  safe. 

"He  lives,  who  dies  to  win  a  lasting  name." 

His  mortal  life  began  October  4,  1835,  and  his  parents,  Andrew  and  Marian  (Hunt) 
Whittier. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


673 


DB.    Rk.    L.    ^-7. 
CORP.    DANIEL    H.    WEBBER. 


R.    Bk.    L.   5-1  I  1. 
EBEX    S.    WELCH. 


Bk.    Bk.   D.    ^-S. 
CORP.  JOSEPH    F.   WEXTWORTH. 


674  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

He  was  killed  almost  instantly  by  minie  ball  through  his  breast  and  his  blood  spurted 
out  on  to  the  musket  of  Newell  Davidson,  who  stood  next  to  him,  or  close  by. 

When  he  enlisted  he  was  attending  school  at  Northfield,  to  prepare  for  college,  and 
was  one  of  the  most  promising  Christian  young  men  of  the  regiment,  and  had  his  life  been 
spared  would  doubtless  attained  distinction  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  He  seems  to  have 
been  the  only  one  who,  at  that  time,  seriously  considered  the  importance  of  a  full  and  cor 
rect  history  of  the  regiment.  He  took  along  with  him,  when  going  to  the  front,  quite  a 
large  blank  book  in  which  he  kept  a  daily  record  of  all  facts  and  incidents  necessary  to  the 
writing  of  such  a  history  after  the  war  was  over.  The  immense  value  of  such  a  record 
intelligently  and  conscientiously  kept,  as  his  would  have  been,  no  one  can  half  appreciate 
who  has  never  tried  to  write  a  regimental  history  without  anything  of  the  kind  but  the 
meagre  and  contradicting  statements  of  a  few  personal  diaries. 


LIEUT.  JOSEPH   K.  WHITTIER. 

This  brave,  and  brilliant  young  officer,  son  of  Benjamin  II.  and  Sarah  (Weymouth) 
Whittier.  was  born  in  Meredith,  July  1,  1843. 

Receiving  an  academic  education,  his  design  of  going  through  college  was  changed  by 
his  country's  call,  and  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  as  private,  being  chosen  and  appointed 
fifth  sergeant  in  the  organization  of  the  company.  Serving  with  credit  and  distinction,  he 
rose  from  rank  to  rank,  becoming  more  efficient  as  his  responsibilities  increased,  until 
recognized  as  one  of  the  noblest  and  best  he  fell  by  a  grape  shot  at  Cold  Harbor  and  gave 
to  freedom's  cause  a  life  as  pure,  bright,  and  promising  as  a  June  morning  upon  his  native 
hills.  In  one  of  his  letters  home,  many  of  which  were  written  for  and  published  in  differ 
ent  papers,  and  abound  with  sentiments  of  Christian  faith  and  patriotism,  he  writes  :  "  I 
came  out  here  to  fight  for  my  country  ;  and  while  doing  so,  I  am  willing  to  be  guided  by 
the  powers  that  be,  trusting  in  God  for  final  success."  In  another  we  read :  u  Let  shame 
and  confusion  be  the  lot  of  him  who  at  this  crisis  shall  lift  his  hand,  or  voice,  to  stay  the 
onward  march  of  victory.  Blasting  infamy  shall  be  his  reward  through  this  and  coming 
generations.  May  God  prosper  the  right  is  the  prayer  of  one  who  loves  liberty  and  free 
institutions."  Richly  endowed  both  by  nature  and  grace,  with  a  mind  to  command  and  a 
heart  to  win,  had  his  life  been  spared  until  the  full  development  of  his  manhood,  he  would 
doubtless  have  realized  the  ardent  wish  of  his  early  years,  to  become  great  and  good. 

He  was  wounded  slightly  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  and  was  in  all  the  other  battles 
of  the  regiment  to  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was  killed  by  a  grape  shot  through  the  body. 
Tall  and  commanding  in  person,  he  bore  his  insignia  of  rank  with  becoming  pride,  that 
won  respect  without  exciting  jealousy,  and  while  ambitious  to  rise,  desired  to  wear  no 
laurels  that  he  had  not  nobly  earned. 


WILLIAM   B.  WORTH. 

There  are  several  contradictory  accounts  from  as  many  different  comrades  of  this 
brave  and  plucky  soldier,  but  the  facts  appear  as  follows :  Wounded  in  bowels  by  minie 
ball,  while  lying  by  brook  at  Chancellorsville.  He  was  next  seen  by  Eben  S.  Welch  (see 
sketch),  who  was  wounded  about  the  same  time,  who  in  a  letter  to  the  author,  writes  : 
"After  we  were  wounded  we  both  went  off  in  a  field  together  and  came  to  a  log  house,  near 
by  Hooker's  headquarters.  There  the  poor  fellow  gave  out  and  stopped.  I  insisted  he 
should  try  and  go  a  little  farther  so  as  to  get  out  of  danger.  But  he  could  not,  and  said  as 
he  went  into  the  house,  '  I  am  going  in  here  to  die.'  I  was  unable  to  help  him  for  I  was 
badly  off  myself,  and  with  a  sad  heart  I  had  to  part  with  him."  Entering  the  house  he 
sat  down  upon  a  stair  step,  leaned  against  the  wall  and  died.  Captain  Lang,  seeing  him 
enter  and  finding  his  lifeless  body  in  that  position  soon  after,  and  not  knowing  that  he  was 
wounded  before,  naturally  supposed,  as  he  has  often  related,  that  he  was  killed  by  a  ball 
entering  the  door,  or  passing  through  a  crevice  between  the  logs. 

Parents,  Ayers  and  Julia  A.  (Balch)  Worth. 

Born  May  16,  1844,  in  Moultonborough,  and  never  married. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


675 


B.    B.   I..   5-74, 
ANDREW    H.   WHITTIER. 


Bk.  n.  L.  5-9^. 

I.IEUT.  JOSEPH    K.   WHITTIER. 


\VIJ.LIAM    B.    WORTH. 


History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


COMPANY    H. 

This  company  was  recruited  from  eight  towns  ;  the  larger  part  were 
from  the  towns  of  Laconia,  Gilford,  and  Gilmanton,  which  furnishec 
all  seventy-nine  men. 

George  B.   Lane,  of  Laconia,  opened    a  recruiting  office  before 
Twelfth   Regiment  was   talked  of,   and    had  enlisted   several  who  were 
assigned  to  other  New  Hampshire  regiments. 

\fter  the  starting  of  the  Twelfth   he  enlisted  for  them.     Edward  E. 
Pinkham   also  had  an  office  in  Laconia,  and  enlisted  a  number  which  he 
intended    to   keep    with    him    in    order   to    get   a    commission, 
wished  to  join  the  Twelfth,  and  for   this  reason   applied  to  the   adjutant- 
general,  who  gave  them  permission  to  join  that  regiment. 

The  officers  commissioned  were  as  follows:  J.  L.  P.  Whipple,  cap 
tain-  Joseph  S.  Tilton,  first  lieutenant;  Abraham  H.  Milliken,  second 
lieutenant;  Albert  P.  Fernald,  first  sergeant;  Joseph  A.  Fellows,  John 
P  D-ivis  Aialon  D.Jones,  and  Gorham  P.  Dunn,  sergeants  ;  Henry  P. 
Randall/Charles  E.  Moody,  Jonathan  P.  Ladd,  Alma  Milliken  Horace 
Prescott,  Darius  H.  Lewis,  John  L.  Caswell,  and  Nahum  B.  Osgood, 
corporals;  Walter  Libbey,  musician. 

The  company  went  into  camp  at  Laconia  on  what  was  then  known  as- 
the  old  Fair  Ground,  but  were  soon  ordered  to  join  the  other  compani 
in  the  camp  at  Concord. 

This   company's  date  of  muster   into   the   United    States    servic 

September  9,  1862. 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  677 

ISAAC    K.  ALLEN. 

Born  in  Gilmanton  in  1840,  and  was  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Abby  Allen. 

This  soldier  was  taken  sick  on  the  march  from  the  Potomac  to  Falmoutli,  Va.,  and 
•died  the  next  spring.  He  was  a  brother  of  Jesse  L.,  in  the  same  company  (see  roster),  and 
was  never  married.  He  is  highly  spoken  of  by  Charles  II.  Jones,  of  Company  A,  from 
whom  the  picture  near  here  shown  was  obtained. 


CHARLES   A.  CATE. 

This  soldier  was  the  son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Sarah  (Wiggin)  Gate  and  born  in  Belmont, 
February  18,  1840.  His  sister  was  the  wife  of  William  Lamprey  of  the  same  company,  and 
his  mother  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  ninety  years. 

He  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg  and  was  killed  at  Chancellorsville  where  he 
was  struck  by  piece  of  shell  while  lying  down  with  the  rest  of  the  regiment  to  avoid  the 
enemy's  fire,  just  before  advancing  into  the  woods.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  so  little  is  known 
•of  his  earlv  life.  He  was  never  married. 


CORP.   JOHX    S.  COLLINS. 

This  worthy  member  of  the  Twelfth  family  closed  his  earthly  career  in  the  town  of 
Meredith,  where  he  had  resided  most  of  the  time  since  the  war,  on  the  30th  day  of  Octo- 
'ber,  1693.  lie  was  the  only  child  of  Nathan  and  Nancy  (Smith)  Collins,  and  was  born  in 
•Gilford,  November  28,  1835. 

Wherever  the  regiment  met  the  enemy  he  counted  "one  and  a  gun,"  with  the  rest  of 
his  comrades,  in  the  fight.  At  Chancellorsville  he  was  wounded,  but  Gettysburg  found 
him  present  for  duty  instead  of  being  in  hospital  as  many  in  his  condition  would  have 
been.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  November  17,  18(54,  and  was  confined 
at  Salisbury  prison,  N.  C.,  until  February  22,  following,  when  he  was  discharged  on  parole 
and  sent  to  Annapolis,  Md.,  where  he  remained  to  the  close  of  the  war.  Of  his  quick  wit 
and  shrewdness,  an  anecodote  of  him,  at  the  time  of  his  capture,  which  will  be  found 
related  in  the  chapter  of  anecdotes  ani  incidents,*  is  particularly  illustrative. 

Occupation,  a  farmer.     See  error  of  rank  in  incident. 

lie  married  Annette  Smith  Robinson,  April  19,  18li6,  and  had  the  following  named 
•children,  Josie,  John  II.,  Helen  II.,  Louis  L.,  and  Ralph  J. 


DANFORI)   COOK. 

Nearly  forty-two  years  of  age  when  the  first  shell  burst  over  Fort  Sutnter's  walls  yet  he 
volunteered  his  services  to  his  country  when  the  call  was  sounded  by  the  president  in  1862. 

He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Plymouth.  July  16,  1820,  and  Jacob  and  Relief  (Merrill) 
Cook  were  his  parents. 

He  fought  on  the  Fredericksburg  field  with  his  regiment  and  was  discharged  at  Fal 
moutli,  Va.,  on  account  of  a  severe  cut  received  in  his  foot. 

He  was  married  to  Hannah  Southmaid  in  1846,  at  Campton,  and  has  three  daughters, 
Ellen  L.,  Clara  I.,  and  Emma  S.  Mary  Beede,  of  Dudley,  became  his  second  wife  in  1868, 
at  Belmont,  by  whom  Josephine  II.  and  Bertha  L.  were  added  to  his  family. 


SERGT.  JOHN    P.  DAVIS. 

This  brave  soldier,  but  unfortunate  man,  is  the  son  of  Josiah  and  Mehitable  (Smith) 
Davis,  and  was  born  in  Epping,  February  15,  1831. 

Married  first  to  Mary  E.  Maloon,  of  Gilford  ;  one  child.  Married  again  to  Helen  M. 
Aldrich,  of  Haverhill,  December  20,  1881,  and  his  children  by  her  are  Charles  C..  Ellen  L., 
Mary  B.,  Martha  E.,  and  John  C.  Grandfather,  Edward  Smith,  in  the  Revolution. 

*  See  page  438. 


678  History  of  the  Tivclfth  Regiment 

In  Gettysburg  where  he  was  wounded  in  right  arm  by  minie  ball  and  also  had  left  hip 
injured. 

Soon  after  the  war  he  lost  the  sight  of  both  eyes  ;  one  being  put  out  by  a  scale  from  a 
piece  of  iron  that  he  was  hammering  while  working  at  his  trade  as  blacksmith,  and  the 
other  from  sympathy.  The  loss  of  his  eyes  has  been  decided  by  the  government  to  be 
caused  indirectly  by  the  wound  in  his  right  arm,  disabling  him  from  safely  using  it  at  his 
trade  and  thus  injuring  his  sight.  His  dog  went  with  him  to  war.* 


CORP.  CYRUS   P.  DOW. 

He  was  born  in  Sanbornton,  August  11,  1844. 

He  was  in  Chancellors ville,  Gettysburg,  Drury's  Bluff,  Cold  Harbor,  Bermuda  Hun 
dred,  Port  Walthall,  and  Capture  of  Richmond.  Wounded  in  right  leg  below  knee  at 
Gettysburg,  and  in  hip,  slightly,  at  Cold  Harbor. 

Married  August  17,  1865,  to  Delia  Estella  Hayford,  of  Tarn  worth.  He  had  six  chil 
dren,  two  of  whom  are  living,  one  boy  and  one  girl. 

Machinist  most  of  time  since  discharge. 


LIEUT.   GORHAM   P.  DUNN. 

This  lamented  comrade  was  the  son  of  Pierce  and  Credina  A.  (Spaulding)  Dunn,  of 
Tyngsborough,  Mass.,  and  was  born  on  the  same  month  and  day  as  his  country  that  he 
died  to  save ;  and  had  he  lived  one  day  longer  would  have  been  twenty-nine  years  old. 

He  was  working  at  his  trade  as  carpenter  when  he  enlisted  and  had  the  esteem  of  all 
who  knew  him  for  his  kind  disposition  and  probity  of  character. 

Married  January  14,  1860,  to  Caroline  E.  Jewett,  who  a  few  years  ago  was  still  living. 
Their  only  child,  Mary  E.,  died  just  after  the  war. 

He  early  attracted  the  attention  of  Colonel  Potter  by  his  promptness  and  efficiency  as 
a  sergeant,  and  was  on  this  account  one  of  the  first,  out  of  the  line  of  a  regular  promotion, 
to  receive  a  commission. 

In  every  battle  until  killed  at  Cold  Harbor  by  minie  ball  through  his  breast.  He  was 
first  cut  down  while  making  the  charge  by  a  bullet  through  both  legs.  The  fatal  wound 
was  given  him  by  a  sharpshooter,  some  hours  after  the  charge,  as  he  was  seen  to  be  alive 
several  times  during  the  day.  He  also  talked  with  a  wounded  comrade  who  lay  near  him 
when  all  at  once  he  said  :  "  Oh,  dear !"  and  died  immediately.  It  is  supposed  that  he  was 
then  struck  by  the  ball  that  caused  his  death.  Captain  Fernal,  who  was  shot  at  several 
times  while  getting  his  body  from  the  field  that  night,  says  in  a  letter  to  Dunn's  wife: 
"  You  have  lost  a  kind,  good,  and  brave  husband,  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him.  *  *  * 
I  thought  a  good  deal  of  him.  He  was  a  man  of  good  principles,  and  free  from  all  those 
vices  so  common  among  army  officers." 

His  sword  and  sash,  with  a  picture  of  his  wife,  was  taken  from  his  body  and  sent  to 
her  by  Captain  Fernal.  (See  sketch  of  this  officer.)  It  was  remarked  of  him,  as  strangely 
true,  that  his  promotion  seemed  to  have  a  depressing  instead  of  an  encouraging  effect  upon 
him.  But  it  is  all  accounted  for  to  the  writer  now.  A  dark,  foreboding  cloud  came  across 
his  horoscope  about  this  time  which  gave  to  everything  a  sombre  hue.f  Though  small  in 
stature  he  was  great  in  his  measure  of  true  worth,  and  memory,  even  now,  repictures  liis- 
pleasant  face  and  genial  smile,  and  we  sigh  to  think 

"  That  one  so  worthy  long  to  live, 
So  quickly  passed  away." 

*See  page  458.  tSee  page  344. 


New  Hatnpshire   Volunteers. 


679 


B.    B.    L.    ^-9. 
ISAAC    E.   ALLEN. 


Bk.   B.    D.  5-1  li. 
CHARLES    A.   CATE. 


G.   Bk.    D.    5~6i. 
COKP.  JOHN   S/COLLINS. 


B.    B.    L.   5-7. V- 
DAXF-'OUn    COOK. 


DR.    H. 

U;  r.  JOFIX   i\  DAVIS. 


68o  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

HIRAM   ELLIOTT. 

This  soldier  and  his  father  before  him  were  both  officers  in  the  old  State  Militia.  He 
was  born  in  Loudon,  November  21,  1813,  and  was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Eunice  (Sargent) 
Elliott  who  raised  a  family  of  six  children. 

He  was  married  April  17,  1840,  to  Ploomy  Lamprey,  of  Gilmanton.  Children,  Irena  A., 
John  R.,  lantha  D.,  and  Dana  II. 

He  served  at  Fredericksburg  but  was  killed  on  the  sanguinary  field  of  Chancellorsviile, 
the  fatal  ball  striking  him  either  in  the  head  or  heart,  he  giving  one  jump,  as  said  by 
those  who  saw  him,  and  then  fell  to  rise  no  more.  He  told  one  of  his  comrades  that  he 
was  going  into  battle  but  should  never  come  out  alive. 

He  was  by  occupation  a  shoemaker  and  farmer. 


JOHN    R.  ELLIOTT. 

Son  of  Hiram  Elliott  (see  sketch  above)  and  Ploomy  Lamprey,  and  was  born  in  Gil- 
nianton,  October  24,  1844. 

He  was  united  to  Luella  P.  French,  April  7,  1883,  having  been  married  before  to  Addie 
M.  Elliott  (deceased),  by  whom  he  had  one  child. 

He  remained  with  the  regiment  until  Warreuton  where  he  left  on  account  of  chronic 
diarrhoea  and  afterward  suffered  from  an  attack  of  typhoid  fever. 


IIEXRY   E.  EMERY. 

Son  of  David  and  Mary  Ann  (Webster)  Emery,  of  Gilmanton,  where  he  was  born 
November  15,  1840. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsviile,  and  Gettysburg.  Wounded 
slightly  in  leg  at  Chancellorsviile  and  severely  in  left  cheek  at  Gettysburg,  by  explosion  of 
shell,  leaving  a  deep  scar. 

Married  April  3,  1869,  to  Mary  E.  Piper,  of  Meredith,  by  whom  he  has  one  daughter, 
Nellie  F. 

A  farmer  when  he  enlisted,  teamster  most  of  the  time  since  his  discharge,  and  a  brave, 
trusty  soldier  all  the  time  he  wore  the  blue. 


CORP.  ALMOX  J.  FARRAR. 

Oldest  son  of  five  children  of  J.  Warren  and  Mary  J.  (Randlett)  Farrar,  and  was  born 
in  Gilmanton,  April  14,  1844. 

Married  to  Lydia  B.  Elkins,  of  Boscawen,  May  31,  1870.     No  children. 

Only  those  who  knew  him  as  a  schoolmate  or  comrade  will  recognize  the  smooth, 
spare  face  presented  here  which  is  from  a  picture  taken  about  the  time  of  his  enlistment, 
when  he  weighed  but  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  pounds;  but  now  he  can  lift  the  beam 
at  double  these  figures  and  have  several  pounds  to  spare. 

He  was  taken  sick  with  measles  at  Warrenton,  Va.,  and  sent  to  Washington.  Re 
turning  to  the  regiment  at  Falmouth,  before  well  enough  for  regular  duty,  he  was  detailed 
and  served  in  the  sanitary  department  until  the  fall  of  1863,  thus  escaping  Fredericksburg, 
Chancellorsviile,  and  Gettysburg.  Hut  the  hard  and  dangerous  was  yet  to  come.  In  Swift 
Creek,  Relay  House,  Drury's  Bluff,  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg,  and  in  Fort  Harrison  and 
several  other  engagements,  while  detached  as  sharpshooter.  In  the  Siege  of  Petersburg  he 
says:  "  I  exchanged  shots  for  thirty  days  with  a  rebel  sharpshooter  with  whom  I  used  to 
meet  between  the  lines,  during  a  short  time,  shake  hands  and  have  a  friendly  chat."  He 
shot  and  captured  a  rebel  paymaster  just  before  Lee  surrendered,  and  one  of  the  packages 
of  confederate  money  that  he  got  was  perforated  by  the  bullet  that  came  so  near  killing 
himself  a  few  days  later.*  He  was  terribly  wounded  at  High  Bridge,  Va.,  by  a  minie  ball 

*  See  page  3G5  et  soq. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


68 1 


B.  H.  L.  5-S|. 

CORP.    CYRUS    P.    DOW 


B.    L.    L.   5-3. 
LIEUT.   GORIIA.M    P.    DUNN. 


B.  DB.  L.  =5-9* 
HIRAM   ELLIOTT. 


H.  L.  i..  5-1 

JOHN    R.    ELLIOTT. 


B.    P.    L.   5-1  I  . 
HENRY    E.    EMERY 


682  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

passing  diagonally  through  his  body  from  breast  to  back,  while  our  forces  were  confront 
ing  the  remnant  of  Lee's  army  a  few  days  before  his  surrender.  He  was  carried  into  a 
rebel's  house,  where  the  surgeon  expected  he  would  die  in  an  hour  or  two,  and  from  there, 
in  a  few  days,  to  field  and  general  hospital,  from  the  death  ward  of  which  he  was  the  only 
patient,  save  one,  of  twenty-seven  to  come  out  alive  though  expected  to  be  one  of  the  first 
to  die  when  he  entered.  Also  slightly  wounded  at  Cold  Harbor  and  narrowly  escaped  cap 
ture  by  rolling  and  crawling  over  and  between  the  corn  rows  at  Bermuda  Hundred.*  He 
was  one  of  nine  sharpshooters  who  opened  the  way  to  the  capture  of  Fort  Harrison  by 
picking  off  the  rebel  gunners,  and  one  of  the  first  to  enter  the  fort. 

In  speaking  of  his  service  when  on  detached  service  he  says  :  "  I  acted  as  a  sharpshooter 
most  of  the  time  during  the  last  year  of  the  war.  These  sharpshooters,  detailed  from 
diffei-ent  regiments,  were  organized  into  a  battalion  of  two  companies  of  seventy  men  each, 
and  commanded  by  Captain  Cooley.  From  the  time  they  were  organized  in  June,  1864,  to 
the  end  of  the  war  they  were  almost  constantly  in  the  front  line,  either  of  entrenchments  or 
as  skirmishers.  At  the  battle  of  Fort  Harrison  the  service  they  rendered  was  very  impor 
tant,  and  without  their  aid  it  is  very  doubtful  if  the  fort  at  that  time  could  have  been 
taken.  Eight  of  us,  a  sergeant  and  seven  men,  actually  took  the  fort  and  held  it  for  some 
time.  We  were  ordered  to  creep  up  under  cover  of  darkness  and  get  a  position  from 
which  we  could  pick  off  the  rebel  gunners  in  the  fort.  We  fell  in  with  the  rebel  relief 
when  they  appeared  and  captured  four  or  five  of  their  pickets  as  fast  as  they  came  along 
and  were  posted.  We  then  got  across  the  ditch,  climbed  up  over  the  parapet  and  took  the 
fort  by  surprise  before  it  was  barely  light,  and  before  our  forces  had  fired  a  single  shot. 
The  rebel  sentinel  fired  once  and  ran,  followed  by  others  thus  roused  from  their  slumber. 
A  colonel  was  shot  while  thus  retreating  and  I  got  his  watch  and  some  other  articles, 
and  have  got  the  watch  now." 

He  died  at  Laconia,  February  8,  1895. 


SERGT.   ALBERT   P.   FERXALD. 

But  little  is  known  of  this  soldier's  record  except  that  he  was  born  in  Gilmanton, 
August  15,  1819. 

lie  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville  (as  believed),  and  died 
of  Bright's  disease  at  Manchester,  November  21,  1884. 

II is  daughter,  Carrie  B.,  resided  some  years  ago  at  Laconia. 


CORP.    HANSON    GRAY. 

On  the  8th  day  of  "rosy  footed  May,"  1837,  there  was  born  in  Jackson  (see  roster) 
another  of  the  dauntless  "  mountaineers  "  who  need  make  no  apology  for  showing  his  face 
on  the  page  of  history.  His  father,  Daniel,  who  was  a  veteran  of  1812,  and  his  mother, 
Julia  (Miller)  from  New  York,  had  nine  sons  and  two  daughters.  Nathaniel  M.,  brother 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  served  in  the  Fifteenth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 

Married  the  day  he  enlisted  to  Ellen  X.  Hackett,  of  Laconia.  May  Louise  (adopted) 
is  the  name  of  their  only  child. 

He  marched  and  fought  under  the  colors,  for  he  was  the  next  man  to  the  color  ser 
geant,  from  Concord  to  Cold  Harbor,  Va.  Wounded  by  minie  balls  in  right  leg  at  Chan 
cellorsville,  and  in  left  leg  at  Cold  Harbor.  At  Chancellorsville  he  was  also  struck  by 
another  bullet  which  penetrated  the  testament  that  he  carried  in  his  vest  pocket,  stopping 
at  and  just  marking,  as  if  to  call  attention  to  the  twenty-first  verse  of  the  twenty-third 
chapter  of  Acts. 

*  See  page  237. 


N~civ  Hampshire  Volunteers, 


683 


DB.  DB.    L.   5-IO. 
CORP.   ALMOX   J.    FARRAR 


fi.    B.   I,.   5-IO. 
SERGT.    ALBERT    P.   FERXALD 


B.    B.    L.   5- 
COKP.    HANSON    GRAY 


684  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

ELBRIDGE   G.  JEWETT. 

This  brother  of  George  \V.,  the  youngest  son  of  the  family,  was  born  January  25,  1844. 
{See  sketch  of  George  W.)  His  grandfather  fought  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill. 

In  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Swift  Creek,  Drury's  Bluff,  and  Cold  Harbor,  but 
never  wounded  severely.  During  the  last  year  of  the  war  he  was  ambulance  driver,  being 
attacked  by  guerillas  between  Richmond  and  Petersburg  while  carrying  officers.  He  was 
injured  by  limbs  falling  across  his  back  and  also  received  a  bayonet  wound  in  his  head. 

Married  September  18,  1868,  to  Emma  L.  Cook,  of  Sandwich.  Children,  Mary  L., 
Lizzie  (deceased),  and  Idella  A. 

Occupation,  farmer  before  the  war  ;  carpenter  and  car  builder  since. 


CORP.   GEORGE   W.  JEWETT. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Thurston)  Jewett,  of 
Gilford,  where  he  was  born  in  1838.  He  was  a  brother  to  Elbridge  G.,  of  the  same 
company  (see  sketch),  and  also  to  Charles  F.,  of  Company  F.,  Eighth  New  Hampshire  Vol 
unteers.  His  grandfather  was  in  the  Revolution  and  fought  at  Bunker  Hill. 

Married  April  15,  1856,  to  Alvira  R.  Collins,  of  Gilford,  by  whom  he  had  two  children, 
one  of  whom,  Frank  L.,  is  living  and  has  a  son  of  his  own,  named  George,  and  long  may 
the  name  be  found  in  the  line  of  lineal  descent. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysbury,  intrepidly  facing 
the  dangers  of  them  all  in  safety  ;  but  worn  down  by  the  Gettysburg  campaign,  disease, 
chronic  diarrhoea,  already  upon  him  got  a  new  and  fatal  hold  upon  his  once  strong 
and  hardy  constitution  and  he  went  home  on  a  sick  furlough  to  die  (see  roster). 

He  is  spoken  of  by  his  surviving  comrades  as  a  brave  man  and  true  soldier,  but  this 
hardly  does  full  justice  to  his  honorable  record. 


SERGT.  AJALOX  1).  JONES. 

On  the  24th  of  January,  1838,  this  soldier,  a  member  of  a  family  of  ten  children, 
was  born  in  Turner,  Me.  His  parents  were  Alonzo  P.  and  Eunice  (Allen)  Jones ;  his 
grandfather,  James  Allen,  who  acted  as  a  drum  major  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution,  and 
his  father's  father,  Benjamin  Jones,  served  in  the  War  of  1812.  His  brothers,  Waldo  B.  and 
James  A.,  served  in  the  Union  army  —  one  in  the  Twentieth  Maine  and  the  other  in  the 
Fourth  New  Hampshire,  both  dying  in  the  service. 

On  account  of  sickness  his  service  in  the  Twelfth  was  brief,  and  concerning  his  enlist 
ment  in  the  state  service,  see  roster. 

In  1871  he  attended  school  at  New  Hampton  and  at  Lewiston,  Me.,  preparing  for  the 
ministry.  He  was  ordained  at  Litchfield,  Me.,  as  a  Free  Baptist  minister,  June,  1873. 

Barnard  Smith,  who  enlisted  in  the  Tenth  New  Hampshire,  was  the  father  of  Emma  H., 
who  married  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  October  22,  1866.  AValter  S.,  Alice  C.,  and 
Harry  B.,  are  the  names  of  their  children. 

A  good  soldier  of  the  cross  and  for  the  I'nion.  His  labor  has  been  productive  of 
many  converts. 


LYMAN    H.  LAMPREY. 

This,  the  oldest  of  three  sons  (no  daughters)  of  Oliver  and  Abigail  (Moulton)  Lamprey, 
was  born  in  Gilmanton,  November  29,  1840,  and  is  the  brother  of  Madison  C.,  of  the  same 
company,  who  is  now  living  on  the  old  homestead  farm. 

lie  had  a  noble  record,  being  in  every  battle  but  Gettysburg  and  never  absent  from 
the  regiment,  except  when  wounded,  until  permanently  disabled  at  Cold  Harbor,  by  a 
severe  minie  ball  wound  in  left  arm.  lie  was  also  so  badly  wounded  in  right  arm  at  Chan 
cellorsville  that  he  was  unable  to  do  duty  again  for  several  months. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


685. 


B.   S.   I..   5-10. 
ELBR1DGE    G.  JE\VETT. 


B.   Bk.    L.   5-1 
CORP.   GEORGE    \V.  JEWETT. 


B.    DB.    1).    S-I 
SEUGT.   AJAI-ON    D.  JOXES. 


B.    LB.    I..   6-O. 
LYMAN    H.    LAMPKEV. 


686  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Married  Nettie  Robinson,  of  Plattsburg,  X.  Y.,  July  5,  1870,  who  is  now  the  mother 
of  Maud  A.,  their  only  child. 

Though  never  promoted,  he  was  one  of  the  most  capable  and  deserving  of  the  com 
pany,  and  since  the  war  has  been  honored  by  being  elected  representative  two  years  ; 
commander  of  Louis  Hell  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and  appointed  deputy  collector  of  Internal 
Revenue,  for  four  years. 

His  occupation,  a  commercial  traveller;  and  though  much  might  be  said  in  his  praise, 
nothing  speaks  plainer  of  the  merits  of  this  man  than  his  bright  and  noble  record  for  his 
country.  His  residence  is  in  Manchester  and  is  one  of  her  most  respected  citizens.  Though 
his  arm  was  never  marked  by  even  a  single  stripe  of  rank,  his  title  to  real  merit  is  equaled 
by  few  in  the  whole  regiment. 


BVT.   LIEUT.    GEORGE   B.  LANE. 

Son  of  Col.  Charles  and  Sarah  Jane  (Bodwell)  Lane  ;  born  in  Sanbornton,  August  5, 
1841. 

Receiving  a  liberal  education,  he  was  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment  employed  as  insur 
ance  agent  in  the  office  of  his  father,  and  being  thus  peculiarly  fitted  by  education  and 
experience  for  the  position  of  clerk,  acted  in  that  capacity  and  as  mail  agent  until 
promoted  to  commissary  sergeant,  February  4,  1864.  lie  was  commissioned  second  lieu 
tenant  of  Company  I),  but  not  mustered. 

Although  never  facing  the  foe  in  the  ranks,  the  service  that  he  rendered  was  quite  as 
important,  if  not  as  hazardous  ;  and  he  deserves  credit  for  being  always  found  ready  and 
able  to  perform  it  quickly  and  well. 

He  married  Mary  J.  Webber,  widow  of  Daniel  H.  Webber,  of  Company  G,  November 
15,  1870,  and  has  one  child,  Ada  F. 


WESLEY   LEIGI1TON. 

He  died  on  Gettysburg's  blcody  soil,  having  previously  fought  at  Fredericksburg  and 
Chancellorsville. 

He  was  the  son  of  Moses  and  Mary  (Smith)  Leighton  and  was  born  in  Sanbornton, 
February  1,  1842. 

He  fought  and  fell  by  the  side  of  Freeman  Sanborn,  who  was  terribly  wounded  in  the 
throat  at  the  same  battle.  Leighton  was  wounded  in  the  bowels  and  lay,  when  he  was 
found  dead  after  the  battle,  with  his  hand  under  his  head. 

There  were  eight  children  in  his  father's  family,  two  of  them  being  girls,  and  Wesley, 
the  third  child.  Samuel  W.  Leighton,  the  oldest,  was  in  the  war  and  served  in  a  cavalry 
regiment  and  died  before  discharge,  September  16,  1863. 


CORP.   DARIUS   II.   LEWIS 

Was  born  in  Meredith,  March  5,  1839,  being  the  son  of  William  and  Hannah  (Picker 
ing)  Lewis. 

He  was  wounded  in  left  leg  and  taken  prisoner  at  Chancellorsville,  being  confined  in 
Libby  and  Belle  Isle  prisons.  He  was  then  paroled  and  sent  to  Annapolis  where  he,  with 
J.  S.  Collins,  remained  three  months.  During  the  rest  of  the  war  he  acted  most  of  the 
time  on  detached  duty. 

He  was  married  June  9,  1859,  to  Mary  Gordon,  of  Laconia,  by  whom  he  had  two  chil 
dren,  Orrin  and  Archy. 

He  was  a  stone  worker  and  spinner  before  enlistment,  and  after  the  war  was  employed 
on  horse  cars. 

He  died  some  years  ago  (see  roster),  and  is  remembered  by  his  neighbors  and  friends 
as  a  good  citizen. 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


687 


Bk.   B.   L.   5-7. 
B\'T.    LIEUT.   GEORGE    B.    LANE. 


B.   L.    L.   5-9. 
WESLEY    LEIGHTOX. 


B.    B.    L.   5-IO. 
CORP.   DARIUS    H.    LEWIS. 


688  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

WALTER   E.  LIBBEY. 

This  soldier  was  the  son  of  Ezra  B.  and  Mary  G.  (Homan)  Libbey,  who  were  the 
parents  of  three  boys  and  four  girls.  He  was  born  in  Warren,  September  27,  1837.  Both 
his  grandfathers,  Luke  Libbey  and  Joseph  Ilonian,  a  relative  of  Hannah  Dustin,  were 
soldiers  of  the  Revolution  and  the  former  was  taken  prisoner  and  carried  to  England, 
being  confined  there  six  months. 

This  soldier  enlisted  as  a  drummer  and  served  as  such  most  of  the  time  until  his  dis 
charge,  being  known  as  "the  left  handed  drummer."  He  was  present  at  the  battles  of 
Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Cold  Harbor,  Siege  of  Petersburg,  and  Cap 
ture  of  Richmond. 

lie  married  Annie  G.  Stowe,  who  lived  near  Point  of  Rocks,  Va.,  and  with  whom  he 
got  acquainted  while  in  the  war.  Their  children  were  Gertie  B.,  AValter  E.,  and  Iladley 
Dame,  the  last  being  named  after  Harriet  Dame,  the  well  known  army  nurse  of  Xew 
Hampshire,  and  Dr.  Iladley  Fowler,  surgeon  of  the  Twelfth. 

He  was  very  quick  and  agile  in  all  his  movements*  and  was  noted  as  being  a  great 
wrestler,  throwing  everyone,  not  only  in  his  own  regiment  but  others  who  dared  try  his 
skill,  at  arms  length.  He  always  came  out  on  top  and  was  acknowledged  the  champion, 
yet  he  was  of  slim  build  and  measured  but  little  above  the  army  height.  He  was  on 
detached  service  at  Point  of  Rocks  hospital,  Va.  He  was  of  a  lively  and  jolly  disposition, 
possessing  one  of  the  kindest  of  hearts,  and  will  long  be  remembered  for  his  true  and  last 
ing  friendship.  He  died  in  Philadelphia  in  the  fall  of  189:2. 


SERGT.   ALMA   MTLLIKEN. 

This,  one  of  the  four  patriotic  sons  of  Amos  and  Sally  (Milliken)  Milliken,  was  born 
July  16,  1835,  in  Saco,  Me.  His  three  brothers  were  in  the  Union  army  and  all  earned 
honorable  records.  Moses  S.  and  David  served  in  the  Seventeenth  Missouri  and  Twen 
tieth  Illinois,  respectively  ;  and  Lieut.  Abraham  H.  received  a  commission  in  the  Twelfth 
Regiment.  (See  roster  as  corrected  below.) 

In  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville  (where  he  was  wounded  in  left  arm),  and  Cold 
Harbor,  where  he  was  so  badly  injured  by  a  fall  in  the  charge  as  to  disable  him  from 
taking  the  field  again  and  affect  him  for  life.  He  was  sent  to  hospital  and  soon  was  fur- 
longhed  home.  Upon  his  return  to  Washington  he  again  was  sent  to  hospital  until  April, 
1865,  when  he  was  sent  into  Pennsylvania  after  recruits,  getting  to  Harrisburg  the  same 
day  that  the  martyred  Lincoln  lay  in  state  there.  From  there  he  was  sent  to  North  Caro 
lina  and  thence  back  to  Washington  where  he  was  discharged.  See  incident,  page  417. 

He  was  married  December  13,  1858,  to  Harriet  E.  Lee,  of  Paw  Paw,  Mich.  Children, 
Willie  L.  (deceased)  and  Hattie  J. 

lie  was  a  dyer  by  trade  when  he  enlisted,  but  after  the  war  worked  twelve  years  in  a 
repair  shop  at  Bangor,  Mich.,  and  then  moved  to  Michigan  City,  Ind.,  where  he  lived  two 
years,  when  he  removed  to  Crete,  Neb.,  where  he  now  resides.  A  farmer  most  of  the  time 
since  discharge,  being  employed  at  present  as  a  large  market  gardener. 

Since  the  printing  of  the  roster  at  the  end  of  this  book,  the  order  of  "dishonorably 
discharged  "  in  the  case  of  Lieut.  A.  H.  Milliken,  above  referred  to,  has  been  revoked  by 
the  War  Department  and  he  restored  (see  how  it  reads). 


SERGT.   CHARLES   E.  MOODY. 

The  oldest  son  and  third  child  of  the  seven  children  of  Stephen  S.  and  Eli/.a  S.  (Hoyt) 
Moody  and  born  in  Gilrnanton,  November  23,  1836.  Grandfather  on  mother's  side  in  War 
of  1812,  and  his  great-grandfather,  John  Moody,  was  in  Captain  Ambrose's  company,  of 
Colonel  Welch's  regiment  of  volunteers  that  was  raised  in  Moultonborough  and  adjacent 
towns,  joined  General  Gates' army  at  Saratoga,  and  remained  with  it  until  after  the  sur 
render  of  General  Burgoyne. 

*See  page  40C. 


Hampshire  Volunteers. 


689 


B.   L.    L.   5-5. 
WALTER    E.    LIBBEV. 


B.   L.    L.   5-10. 
SERGT.   ALMA  MILLIKEX, 


SERGT.    CHARLES    E.   MOODY. 


44 


704  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

CORP.  SAMUEL   AV.  GEORGE. 

A  true  and  faithful  soldier  of  the  cross  and  the  army,  who  left  his  wife  and  family, 
containing  twins  only  eight  months  old,  for  the  front  to  defend  the  country  he  loved  so 
well.  The  town  of  Plymouth  was  his  birthplace  and  upon  her  soil  his  parents,  Eaton  and 
Ruth  W.  (Dow)  George,  resided.  He  was  born  in  1836. 

He  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg  although  he  was  not  able  to  go  and  was  taken 
from  the  men  picked  up  back  in  camp  who  were  unfit  to  take  an  active  part  in  battle.  lie 
died  of  disease  at  Falmouth  and  had  the  pictures  of  his  wife  and  twin  children  in  his 
bosom,  and  the  last  thing  he  did  was  to  spring  up  in  bed  that  he  might  bring  the  pictures  up 
before  him  to  look  at.  He  was  brought  home  to  Plymouth  and  buried  there  by  the  Masons. 

Married  September  3,  1859,  to  Anna  M.  Jones,  of  Concord,  sister  of  Abner  C.  Jones, 
of  Company  E,  and  had  two  children,  Samuel  W.  and  Emma. 


LIEUT.   WILLIAM    P.    HAM. 

He  was  born  in  Farming-ton  in  1822. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was 
wounded,  dying  a  few  days  after  the  battle,  June  15,  1864. 

He  was  the  father  of  two  or  three  children. 

Captain  Lang  says  :  "  He  lived  in  Meredith  a  short  time  before  he  enlisted." 

The  fact  that  he  enlisted  as  sergeant  and  died  at  Cold  Harbor  as  lieutenant,  shows 
that  he  was  one  of  the  true  and  brave,  and  his  death  upon  the  field  entitles  him  to  a  place 
in  the  "Roll  of  Honor."  Soon  after  his  death  his  widow  and  children  moved  from  Meredith 
to  Sandwich,  where  she  died  a  few  years  later. 


BVT.  LIEUT.   LOAMMI   HARTSHORN. 

This  meritorious  soldier  first  saw  the  light  on  Tuesday,  July  1,  1828,  in  the  quiet  town 
of  Lunenburg,  Mass.,  and  was  soon  named  after  his  father,  while  his  mother's  maiden  name 
was  Sibyl  Scripture. 

Although  it  was  April  fool's  day,  1862,  when  he  invited  ministerial  sanction  to  a  life 
co-partnership  with  Mary  E.  Gay,  of  Nashua,  there  are  now  a  multitude  of  witnesses  to 
testify  that  it  was  the  wisest  act  of  his  life,  and  Frank  L.  and  Charles  E.  are  the  products  of 
their  union. 

The  next  most  important  act  of  his  life  happened  but  a  few  months  later,  in  this,  to 
him,  eventful  year,  when  he  enlisted  as  a  private  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  of 
"  Uncle  Sam  "  as  the  sixth  corporal  of  Company  I.  From  this  date  to  the  end  of  the  war, 
his  record,  written  by  the  bayonet  and  punctuated  by  the  bullet,  is  one  of  which  he  may 
well  feel  proud.  He  was  in  every  battle  and  skirmish  where  the  Twelfth  fought  or  faced  the 
enemy,  save  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  when  he  was  sick  in  hospital  from  accidental  injury. 
His  knapsack  cut  from  his  back,  and  hat  cut  in  two  by  solid  shot  or  shell  at  Cold  Harbor. 

He  was  a  wagon  painter  before  the  war,  and  resumed  his  occupation  after  his  return, 
being  as  constant  and  faithful  to  his  daily  duties  as  a  soldier  citizen  as  he  was  brave  and 
heroic  to  defend  the  flag  of  his  country  as  a  citizen  soldier.  One  of  the  last  to  talk  about 
carrying  a  forlorn  hope,  either  before  or  after,  but  one  of  the  first  to  do  it. 


JAMES   HAWKINS, 

The  younger  brother  of  W.  H.  (see  sketch),  was  born  in  1841,  and  died  on  the  field  of 
Gettysburg,  on  the  third  day  of  the  battle.  He  was  wounded  the  day  before  by  a  minie 
ball  or  piece  of  shell  perforating  his  bowels. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg,  his  last, 
where  he  fell  with  his  face  to  the  foe. 

He,  like  his  brother,  was  tall,  but  he  was  the  heavier  and  stouter  built,  as  well  as  the 
taller  of  the  two. 

He  was  a  brave  man  and  "  good  soldier,"  as  said  of  him  by  all  his  comrades. 


JVezv  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


691 


5-10. 

COUP.    HORACH    PRESCOTT 


B.    B.   L.   5-8. 
EDWARD    C.   RYAN. 


B.   B.  I..    5-6. 
ARTHUR    C.   SANBORN. 


692  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

DAVID   S.  SANBORN. 

Here  is  one  of  the  many  brave  and  good  men  of  Company  H  who  gave  their  lives  for 
their  country.  He  was  the  son  of  Luther  Sanbbrn  and  was  born  in  Meredith,  in  1840. 

He  married  Sarah  E.  Bond,  of  Gilford,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons,  Frank  D.  and 
Joseph  B. 

He  was  in  nearly  every  battle  of  the  regiment  until  he  fell  at  Cold  Harbor.  In  con 
versation  with  his  tent-mate,  Almon  J.  Farrar,  he  said  that  Cold  Harbor  would  be  his 
last  battle  ;*  and  his  wife  had  a  remarkable  dream  about  him  the  night  before. f  Sanborn 
also  told  Collins,  of  his  company,  of  the  inevitable  fate  that  awaited  him  and  to  which  he 
seemed  to  be  resigned  like  a  Christian  soldier,  as  he  seemed  to  be.  He  is  seen  here  as  he 
looked  soon  after  he  enlisted. 


SERGT.   JOIIX   C.  SAVE  ATT. 

Son  of  Daniel  and  Adeline  (Abbott)  Sweatt,  and  born  in  Quincy,  Mass.,  September  6,. 
1836.  His  father  was  a  farmer  and  he  followed  the  same  occupation  up  to  the  time  of  his 
enlistment,  August  16,  1862. 

Married  in  November,  I860,  to  Sarah  Jane  Twombly.     No  children. 

In  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Cold  Harbor,  and  wounded  in  each  of  the  two 
last  named  battles  in  middle  ringer  and  right  hand.  Color  bearer  from  Point  Lookout  to 
the  battle  of  Swift  Creek.  Rejoined  regiment  at  Manchester,  Va.,  where  he  was  discharged 
on  account  of  wounds.  Of  this  man's  record  nothing  but  good  can  be  written. 

He  has  been  for  many  years  overseer  in  a  hosiery  mill  at  Belmont  where  he  now 
resides. 


WILLIAM   THOMAS. 

Born  in  Lunenburg,  Vt.,  April  2,  1822.  He  was  the  son  of  Isaac  C.  and  Hannah 
(Thomas)  Thomas. 

He  married  first  in  1849,  Lucia  Clifford,  of  Danville,  Vt. ;  and  Martha  A.  Frisbee,  of 
Kittery,  Me.,  December  20,  1856.  One  daughter  by  his  first  wife. 

At  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg.  He  was  on 
detached  duty  as  teamster  in  ammunition  train,  but  he  fought  in  the  ranks  at  Swift  Creek, 
Drury's  Bluff,  Port  Walthall.and  Cold  Harbor. 

He  was  for  many  years  confined  to  his  house  in  Laconia  by  paralysis,  of  which  he  died 
October  26,  1886.  He  was  a  member  of  the  John  L.  Perley,  Jr.,  Post.  A  Laconia  paper 
speaks  of  him  as  "a  brave  soldier,  a  loyal  citizen,  and  a  kind  and  devoted  husband  and 
father.  " 


LIEUT.  JOSEPH   S.   TILTON. 

Son  of  Stephen  and  Julia  (Batchelder)  Tilton,  and  born  in  London,  June  13,  1818. 
His  parents  soon  after  removed  to  Meredith  where  he  received  his  education. 

After  the  discovery  of  gold  in  California,  he  removed  there  with  his  family,  being 
among  the  early  pioneer  settlers.  While  there  he  took  an  active  part  in  the  politics  of 
San  Francisco  where,  during  the  turbulent  times  with  the  lawless  class,  he  was  an  officer  in 
the  "  Vigilants."  Returning  to  New  Hampshire  in  1857,  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  hosiery  at  Laconia,  and  continued  in  the  business  until  1862,  when  he  stopped  his  mill 
to  assist  in  the  raising  of  this  regiment,  in  which  he  was  commissioned  first  lieutenant  of 
Company  H.  He  commanded  his  company  at  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancel 
lorsville,  being  so  badly  wounded  in  the  latter  that  he  was  obliged  to  leave  the  service, 
resigning  October  9,  1863.  When  his  health  had  sufficiently  recovered  he  again  started 
his  mill. 

*  See  page  350.  t  See  page  349. 


J\Tcu<  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


693 


B.    LB.    I..   5-8. 
DAVID    S.   SANBOKN. 


'ift?tf&.;#.;4,  '**'' 

I.R     S.    L.    ^-6. 
SERGT.  JOHN"    C.   SWEATT. 


B.   A.    L.   5-IOj. 
WILLIAM    THOMAS. 


B.    B.    L. 
LIEUT.  JOSEPH    S.   TILTOX. 


694  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

He  married  Betsy,  daughter  of  Joseph  Ham,  February  7,  1842.  Their  children  were 
Nancy,  George  H.,  who  served  three  years  in  the  Fourth  New  Hampshire  Regiment, 
Emma  S.,  and  Frank  S. 

Lieutenant  Tilton  was  a  man  of  most  profound  and  sincere  convictions  ;  frank  and 
out  spoken  in  his  opinions  on  all  subjects,  and  when  once  his  mind  was  made  up,  was 
never  slow  to  act.  He  inherited,  to  a  great  extent,  the  characteristics  of  his  Puritan  ances 
try  and  sprung  from  one  of  the  oldest  families  in  New  Hampshire  history.  His  ancestors 
were  well  known  men  in  its  earliest  days  both  as  officers  of  the  state  and  in  the  colonial 
forces  during  the  French  and  Indian  Wars. 

He  died  November  6,  1879. 


GEORGE  w.  WATSON. 

Jacob  Watson,  who  was  in  the  Eighth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers,  and  Rachel 
(Swain)  Watson  were  the  parents  of  this  soldier,  who  was  born  in  1841. 

He  was  in  all  battles  of  the  regiment,  except  Gettysburg.  He  was  never  seriously 
wounded  but  had  a  bullet  pass  through  his  equipments  at  Chancellorsville.  He  says,  "  Charles 
Gate  was  hit  in  the  side  at  Chancellorsville.  I  took  his  watch.  He  was  crying  for  water 
and  for  some  one  to  kill  him  (see  sketch).  San  born  (David  S.),  of  my  company,  had  his 
side  torn  out  by  piece  of  shell  at  Cold  Harbor." 

He  was  married  June  16,  1866,  to  Sarah  Philbrick.  Their  children  were  Sarah  E., 
Mabel  F.,  Olive  A.,  Minnie  M.,  Ula  I.,  George  E.,  and  Clarence  B. 

He  was  for  many  years  a  spinner  and  overseer  in  one  of  the  mills  at  Laconia.  He  is 
spoken  ot"  as  one  of  the  best  soldiers  of  the  company  and  few  saw  more  of  actual  warfare 
than  he. 


HENRY   L.  WILKINSON. 

Son  of  Samuel  B.  and  Eliza  (Smith)  Wilkinson,  and  grandson  of  Benning  Wilkinson, 
of  the  Revolution,  and  was  born  in  Ilolderness,  August  1,  1838. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Wapping  Heights,  with  the 
regiment,  and  in  Fort  Fisher,  Sugar  Loaf,  East  River,  while  orderly  for  General  Payne, 
by  whom  he  was  highly  recommended  for  promotion.  He  also  served  as  orderly  for  Gen 
erals  Butler,  Hinks,  and  Marston,  with  great  credit.  Upon  his  discharge,  the  following 
words :  "  Character  excellent ;  trusty,  reliable,  and  brave,"  are  endorsed  by  Solon  A. 
Carter,  captain  and  assistant  adjutant-general. 

Married  July  26,  1865,  to  Nellie  S.  Howell,  of  Goldsborough,  N.  C.  Children, 
Edward  II.  and  Eli/a  B. 

Since  the  war  he  has  been  commander  of  G.  A.  R.  Post,  inspector  of  department,  and 
assistant  inspector-general,  for  one  year. 


REUBEN   P.   WILLARD. 

This  soldier,  who  was  in  Fredericksburg  battle,  and  whose  severe  wound  in  botli  hips. 
at  Chancellorsville  so  far  disabled  him  from  further  service  that  he  was  discharged  a  few 
months  later. 

lie  was  born  in  London,  October  9,  1834.  Son  of  a  carpenter,  John  Willanl,  he  early 
learned  that  trade  which  has  been  his  principal  business  since  the  war.  He  also  learned 
the  shoemaking  trade,  working  at  it  for  some  years  before  enlistment,  and  for  a  while, 
because  of  his  wounds,  after  his  discharge.  His  father  married  Ann  Batchelder,  by  whom 
he  had  seven  children,  Reuben  and  John  (see  Company  F),  of  the  three  boys,  both  serving 
their  country  in  the  war  for  its  preservation. 

Married  December  29,  1860,  to  Olive  B.  Bean,  of  Sandwich,  and  Edward  F.,  Daniel  M.r 
Nellie  F.  L.,  John  P.,  Arthur  B.,  and  Ernest  H.,  are  the  fruits  of  their  marital  u:-,ion.  May 
they  be  as  happy  in  the  enjoyment  of  our  free  institutions  as  their  father  was  willing  to 
toil  and  suffer  for  their  defense. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers, 


695 


15.   Bk.   I,.   5-10. 
GEORGE    \V.   AVATSON. 


II.   B.    L.   5-9. 
HENRY    L.   WILKINSON. 


I?.  I.,  s.  5-7. 

REUBEN    P.   WILLAKD. 


696  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


COMPANY    I. 

The  work  of  raising   this  company  was  carried  on  in  the  towns  of 
Meredith,  Centre  Harbor,  Campton,  and  Holderness. 

A  recruiting  office  was  opened  at  Meredith,  by  Joseph  W.  Lang,  Jr., 
who  enlisted  eighty-six  men  in  three  days.  A  whole  company  might 
have  been  enlisted  by  him  if  a  squad  of  fourteen  men  from  Campton, 
enlisted  by  Edwin  Pronk,  had  not  been  taken  into  the  company  because 
they  wished  to  go  altogether. 

The  following  men  were  elected  by  members  of  the  company  and 
afterwards  commissioned  :  For  captain,  Joseph  W.  Lang,  Jr.  ;  for  first 
lieutenant,  William  H.  H.  Fernal  ;  second  lieutenant,  William  W. 
Stevens  ;  sergeants,  George  S.  Cram,  Edwin  Pronk,  Levi  Leach,  William 
P.  Ham,  and  Moses  F.  Hutchins  ;  corporals,  Alden  A.  Kidder,  Moses 
Chapman,  Samuel  W.  George,  George  G.  Badger,  George  W.  Ham, 
Loam  mi  Hartshorn,  Dudley  F.  Norris,  and  Robert  Forsaith  ;  William 
E.  S.  Foss  and  William  H.  Skinner  were  appointed  musicians. 

Captain  Lang,  as  afterwards  commissioned,  was  the  first  man  to  enlist 
in  the  company. 

The  muster  of  this  company  into  the  United  States  service  occurred 
September  9,  1862. 


Neiv  Hampshire   Volunteers.  697 

SULLIVAN   BRYANT. 

Born  in  Meredith,  February  24,  1823,  and  is  the  sou  of  Hazen  and  Mehitable  (Quincy) 
Bryant  and  father  of  William  ().,  who  enlisted  in  the  same  company  (see  sketch)  and  was 
killed  in  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  to  Mehitable  H.  Barry,  of  Tamworth,  October 
26,  1844.  Children,  William  O.,  Hattie  G.,  Clara  E.,  George  W.,  Hosea  F.,  and  Sarah  J. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg.  Wounded 
slightly  in  both  ears  at  Chancellorsville  and  in  hand  by  minie  ball  at  Gettysburg,  where  he 
also  had  his  knapsack  torn  from  his  back  by  a  shell.  His  grandfather,  Jonathan  Quincy, 
was  in  the  War  of  1812. 

A  shoemaker  before  enlistment  and  laborer  since  discharge.  He  died  at  Meredith, 
February  19,  1897. 

WILLIAM    O.    BRYANT. 

Here  is  another  of  the  youthful  heroes  of  Company  I  who  gave  his  life  for  his  country. 
About  his  parentage,  etc.,  see  sketch  of  his  father,  Sullivan.  Born  June  23,  1840,  he  was 
but  one  month  and  sixteen  days  over  sixteen  years  of  age  when  he  enlisted ;  yet  he  was 
with  his  regiment  in  every  battle,  as  believed,  except  Fredericksburg,  up  to  Cold  Harbor, 
where  he  fell  mortally  wounded  in  the  bowels,  but  lived,  from  best  information,  until  6  p.  M. 
Sergeant  Gray,  of  Company  F,  was  talking  with  him  a  few  minutes  before  he  died,  lie  seemed 
quite  composed,  and  not  then  suffering  much.  Suddenly  he  exclaimed,  "  Oh,  dear,  I  shall 
die!"  and  immediately  expired.  At  Gettysburg,  while  acting  on  detached  duty  in  the 
First  New  Jersey  Battery,  two  horses  that  he  was  holding  were  killed  by  a  shell  that  left 
him  untouched. 

Captain  Lang  says  of  him  :  "  good,  always  ready  ;"  while  another  of  his  comrades  says  : 
"good  as  the  best;"  while  his  mother,  with  tearful  eyes,  thus  expressed  this  tribute  of 
praise :  "  he  was  a  good  hearted,  dutiful  boy."  Few  words  indeed,  but  how  full  of  meaning, 
and  hence  applicable  to  this  brief  sketch  of  one  whose  memory  should  be  cherished. 


ALBERT   L.   BUSIEL. 

Here  in  full  uniform,  cap-a-pie,  is  a  picture  of  the  youthful  patriot  who  was  the  first 
to  fall  from  the  ranks  of  the  Twelfth,  being  accidentally  shot  while  buying  a  revolver  in  a 
gun  shop  at  Concord,  two  days  before  the  regiment  left  there  for  the  front. 

He  was  the  oldest  child  of  Harrison  M.  Busiel  (see  sketch)  who,  finding  that  his  son, 
a  mere  boy  of  fifteen  years,  was  determined  to  go  to  war  and  had  already  enlisted,  decided 
to  enlist  himself  in  the  same  regiment  that  he  might  be  with  and  care  for  him.  How 
little  he  thought  then  how  short  the  time  and  unavailing  his  care  would  be. 

Albert  L.  was  born  October  19,  1846.  He  was  a  bright,  promising  boy,  full  of  life  and 
energy,  and  this  sad  and  sudden  death  of  their  first  born  was  a  terrible  blow  to  his  parents, 
who  had  not  the  consolation  even  of  knowing  that  he  fell  on  the  field  of  battle,  and  in 
defense  of  the  flag  that  he  was  so  earnestly  willing  to  follow.  Yret,  why  should  his  praise 

be  less  ? 

"  Who  would  not  be  that  youth?    What  pity  is  it 
That  we  can  die  but  once  to  save  our  country." 


DANA   E.  BUSIEL. 

This  worthy  defender  of  his  country's  flag  was  the  oldest  son  of  Jonas  S.  and  Clar- 
enda  (Ames)  Busiel,  and  was  born  in  Bedford,  Mass.,  November  23,  1842. 

In  October,  after  his  discharge,  in  1865,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  A.  Peabody,  of  Gil 
ford,  by  whom  he  has  two  children,  George  II.  and  Parker  A.,  both  living. 

In  all  battles  of  regiment,  except  Cold  Harbor  and  Siege  of  Petersburg,  during  which 
time  he  was  on  detached  service  in  the  division  supply  train. 

A  farmer  by  occupation,  and  as  reliable  as  a  soldier,  as  are  the  rains  of  spring  to  clothe 
the  fields  that  he  tills,  with  verdure.  "  I  tried  to  do  my  duty,"  he  says  in  a  letter  to  the 
author  of  this  sketch  and  his  record  shows  how  well  he  succeeded. 


698  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

SERGT.   MOSES   CHAPMAN. 

The  picture  of  this  veteran  shows  him  as  he  looked  when  discharged  from  the  service, 
for  disability  from  protracted  sickness,  a  month  or  two  before  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is 
the  son  of  Moses  and  Betsey  (Giddings)  Chapman,  and  born  in  Danvers,  Mass.,  July  30, 
1821. 

Married  April  5,  1851,  to  Margaret  H.  Westwood,  of  his  native  town,  where  they 
resided  until  he  moved  into  this  state  some  years  later.  Children,  Moses  E.,  George  A., 
Christianna,  Maggie  E.,  Isabella  (deceased),  Charles  H.,  Edgar,  Jennie  A.,  Frank,  and 
Nellie. 

In  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg,  where  he  was  taken  prisoner  and 
lay  for  a  while  in  the  rebel  lines  exposed  to  a  scathing  fire  from  the  Union  side,  one  bullet 
passing  over  him  and  wounding  a  man  by  his  side,  who  had  already  been  wounded  four 
times  in  that  battle. 

It  is  enough  to  say  of  the  good  will  and  sterling  worth  of  this  soldier,  that  knowing  as 
he  did  from  his  experience  on  two  terrible  battle-fields,  what  he  was  to  meet  on  the  next, 
he  went  into  and  through  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  with  a  certificate  from  Surgeon  Fowler, 
exempting  him  from  all  military  duty  and  which  had  been  endorsed,  while  on  the  march,  by 
one  of  General  Mead's  medical  staff,  who  told  him  not  to  try  and  keep  along  with  the  regi 
ment.  After  the  battle  he  was  unable  to  keep  up  with  the  army  and  followed  after  alone, 
as  far  as  Harper's  Ferry,  where  he  was  ordered  into  the  hospital,  rejoining  the  regiment 
some  weeks  later  at  Point  Lookout.  From  there  until  his  discharge  he  was  either  doing 
light  duty  with  the  regiment,  or  at  home  on  sick  furlough. 


CHARLES   B.   CLOUGH. 

Youngest  of  the  three  brothers  (John  F.  and  George  S.),  who  are  here  found  sketched 
in  the  order  of  their  ages. 

Though  a  mere  boy,  being  born  February  14,  1845,  yet  brave,  determined,  and  faith 
ful,  he  followed  and  stood  by  the  flag  of  his  country  in  all  the  marches  and  battles  of  the 
regiment  from  Concord  to  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  where  disease,  taking  advantage  of  his  toil- 
worn-condition,  fastened  upon  him,  and  he  went  home  to  die.  His  father,  who  had  tried 
hard  to  dissuade  him  from  enlisting,  went  out  after  him  hoping'  that  a  change  of  air  and 
a  mother's  care  might  save  him.  But  all  in  vain,  for  in  just  three  weeks  from  the  time 
his  mother  pressed  a  love-welcoming  kiss  upon  his  pale  and  sunken  cheek,  that  cheek  was 
pale  in  death.  Captain  Fernal  said  that  he  could  be  tracked  for  miles  on  the  march  to 
Gettysburg  by  the  blood  that  came  from  his  feet,  his  shoes  being  too  badly  -worn  to  protect 
them.  At  Chancellorsville,  he  fired  seventy-two  rounds,  ten  more  than  he  carried,  and  was 
slightly  wounded  by  a  rail  thrown  against  him,  his  knapsack  receiving  the  blow  and  prob 
ably  saving  his  life. 

One  of  the  bravest  and  best. 


GEORGE  S.   CLOUGH. 

In  number,  age,  and  si/e,  here  is  the  middle  one  of  the  "Clough  brothers,"  of  Com 
pany  I,  whose  picture  shows  him  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment. 

Born  in  Meredith,  May  23,  1843;  see  sketch  of  John  F.,  for  parentage  and  family 
record. 

He  was  taken  sick  at  Arlington  Heights,  and  was  confined  in  hospital  at  Washington  for 
seventeen  weeks  before  discharge.  He  went  out  and  got  his  brother,  John  F.,  a  furlough 
after  the  latter  was  wounded  at  Chancellorsville,  and  brought  him  home. 

Married  June  20,  1863,  while  at  home  on  furlough,  to  Eli/a  C.  James,  of  New  Bed 
ford.  Children,  May  E.  and  Lizzie  F. 

lie  was  a  shoemaker  when  enlisting,  but  since  the  war  has  most  of  the  time  been 
engaged  in  the  meat  and  provision  business  at  Manchester.  Like  his  brother,  he  has  the 
respect  of  all  who  know  him  and  is  a  successful  and  reliable  business  man. 


Hampshire  Volunteers. 


699 


B.    B.    L.   5- 
ALBERT    L.    BUSIKI. 


H.     B.     D.    5-7£. 
SULLIVAN'     BRYANT. 


H.    I).    I).    5-7. 
WILLIAM     0.    BRYANT. 


7°°  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

JOHN   F.   CLOUGH. 

Soon  after  the  birth  of  this  veteran  of  Company  I,  who  is  second  in  a  family  of  seven 
children,  all  boys,  November  14,  1842,  his  parents,  John  K.  and  Ellen  (Libby)  Clough, 
moved  from  the  town  of  Gray,  Me.,  to  Meredith,  where  his  two  comrade  brothers  were 
born  (see  sketches),  and  where  his  aged  mother  is  still  living.  This  family  of  C loughs  are 
of  Scotch  descent  and  immigrated  to  this  country. 

In  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  where  he  was  severely  wounded  in  right  knee, 
and  lay  for  sixteen  days  on  the  field  without  any  food  or  care  except  the  little  received 
from  the  enemy.  Speaking  of  the  battle,  he  says  :  "All  I  got  to  eat,  all  this  time,  was 
wator  and  flour  so  poor  that  when  mixed  up  it  looked  like  ashes  and  water.  I  lay  in  the  old 
log  house  until  it  was  literally  knocked  to  pieces  by  our  own  solid  shot  and  shells,  and  one 
of  which,  passing  through  the  house,  just  grazed  my  body  as  1  lay  prostrate  upon  the  floor." 
He  was  reported  dead,  after  the  battle,  and  the  day  for  the  funeral  services  appointed  at 
his  home  in  Meredith,  when  the  good  news  came  that  he  was  still  among  the  living. 

Annie  L.  Kenny,  of  Manchester,  who  became  his  wife  March  19,  1872,  is  now  the 
mother  of  Eugene  F.,  their  only  child. 

The  fact  that  he  has  been  county  commissioner  of  Hillsborough  county  for  nearly 
eight  years,  being  elected  four  times,  and  a  member  of  the  city  government  of  Manchester 
for  about  the  same  time,  speaks  plainer  than  words  of  his  integrity  and  ability  as  a  public 
oflicer,  and  of  his  personal  affability  and  high  character  as  a  citizen  and  a  man. 

Occupation  before  enlistment  a  shoemaker,- and  since  discharge  in  the  meat  business 
with  his  brother,  George  S.  (see  sketch),  and  in  office  as  above. 

His  grandfather,  Oliver  Clough,  was  a  pensioner  of  the  Revolution,  and  is  remem 
bered  as  the  last  survivor  of  that  war,  of  Meredith,  or  any  where  in  that  section.  He  was 
at  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne,  and  said  to  have  been  on  guard  at  the  execution  of  Andre. 


LIEUT.   GEORGE   S.   CRAM. 

This  soldier  went  out  with  the  regiment  as  first  sergeant  of  his  company,  and  was 
promoted  to  a  second  lieutenant  just  before  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  where  he  was 
killed  early  in  the  fight,  by  a  musket  ball  passing  through  his  neck  and  severing  both  jugu 
lar  veins,  the  blood  spurting  out  on  both  sides. 

He  was  the  youngest  son  of  Amos  and  Jane  S.  (Prescott)  Cram,  who  had  two  other 
sons  and  three  daughters,  and  was  born  in  Meredith,  March  2,  1826. 

Married  Abby  J.  Deen,  of  Lincolnville,  Me.,  November  9,  1845,  by  whom  he  had  four 
children,  Francis  II.,  Clara  A.,  Viola  J.  (died  young),  and  Alberto  J.  His  progenitors  were 
of  English  descent,  but  his  more  immediate  ancestry  lived  for  several  generations  in  Mere 
dith.  He  received  his  commission  on  his  birthday,  1863,  but  a  presentiment  that  he  should 
be  killed  in  the  first  battle  following  proved  but  too  true.  "  He  had  just  told  me, 
(G.  W.  Clarke)  as  he  fell,  to  go  to  the  rear,  as  I  was  just  then  severely  wounded."  He  had 
told  Captain  Lang,  shortly  before,  that  he  shouldn't  live  through  the  battle. 

The  G.  A.  R.  Post,  of  Meredith,  is  named  for  him. 


CORP.  NATHANIEL   S.    DAVIS. 

Son  of  Josiah  M.  and  Mehitable  (Smith)  Davis,  and  born  in  Gilmanton,  November  24, 
1837. 

He  was  a  farmer  before  the  war  and  enlisted  from  Meredith. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  being  wounded  in  the 
latter  by  minie  ball  in  left  thigh  and  taken  prisoner.  He  was  paroled  the  next  day  and 
exchanged  in  November.  His  grandfather  Smith  enlisted  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution, 
serving  five  years,  and  his  two  brothers,  John  P.  (see  sketch)  and  Charles  O.,  were  also 
members  of  this  regiment. 

Sarah  S.  Graves  became  his  wife,  December  30,  1855,  and  their  children,  George  E., 
Frank,  and  John  P.,  are  all  living. 


c-ztf  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


701 


KB.    L.    L.   5-4f 
DANA    E.    BUSIEL. 


B.   D.   D.   5-9. 
SERGT.    MOSES    CHAPMAN. 


B.    I.B.    L.   5-6.1,. 
CHARLES    B.   CI.OUGH. 


B.    B.    L.    ^-S. 
GKORGE    S.   CLOUG1I. 


IM5.    I).    L.   5-1  i  1. 
JOHN    F.   CLOUGII. 


702  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

CAPT.    WILLIAM   H.    II.   FERNAL. 

Captain  Fernal,  the  only  son  of  Luke  and  Betsey  (Stevens)  Fernal,  was  born  in  Boston, 
Mass.,  March  11,  1834;  his  parents  moving  to  Meredith,  which  ever  after  was  his  home, 
when  lie  was  about  a  year  old. 

His  father  was  for  some  years  a  missionary  among  the  Cherokee  Indians  in  Tennessee, 
and  possessed  in  a  marked  degree  those  noble  qualities  of  heart  that  were  transmitted  to, 
and  so  often  manifested  by,  his  son.  Receiving  a  common  school  education,  he  learned 
the  trade  of  blacksmith,  and  continued  to  work  at  that  business  until  he  enlisted  into 
Company  I,  August  15,  1862,  being  chosen  by  that  company  and  afterward  commissioned 
as  its  first  lieutenant. 

November  3,  1855,  he  was  married  to  Loretta  S.  Burleigh,  of  Holderness,  having  by 
her  two  children,  Harry  L.  and  Minnie  H.,  both  living.  His  wife  had  both  grandfathers 
in  the  Revolution. 

He  was  in  more  battles  and  saw  more  active  field  service  than  any  other  one  of  the 
original  officers  of  the  regiment,  being  in  every  engagement  except  Cold  Harbor,  and 
present  at  that,  but  not  getting  off  picket  in  time  enough  to  enter  the  charge,  and  never 
woulided,  except  slightly  in  the  ear,  at  Chancellorsville.  There  was  no  mean  or  mercen 
ary  blood  in  his  veins.  He  enlisted  to  put  down  what  he  believed  to  be  a  "  wicked  and 
causeless  rebellion,"  and  with  a  brave  heart  and  strong  arm  he  valiantly  wielded  the 
sword  in  his  country's  defense,  until  the  work  was  done.  In  writing  of  Cold  Harbor 
he  said  :  '•  We  got  Lieutenant  Dunn's  body  at  night  and  carried  him  off  the  field  and 
buried  him.  It  was  eleven  or  twelve  o'clock  at  night,  when  Sergeant  Place  and  I 
buried  him,  and  lay  down  to  sleep,  using  the  new  made  grave  for  a  pillow.  Dr.  Sanborn 
marked  a  board  for  a  headstone."* 

Though  modest  and  unassuming,  patient  to  bear,  and  slow  to  resent,  he  was  none  the 
less  capable  to  perform  and  quick  to  execute  when  the  occasion  required  or  exigency 
demanded.!  He  was  a  good  officer,  a  brave  soldier,  a  kind  husband  and  father,  a  worthy 
citizen,  and  an  honest  man. 

He  died  of  heart  disease,  February  27,  1872,  when  he  should,  and  but  for  the  war 
doubtless  would,  have  been  in  the  vigor  and  prime  of  his  manhood. 


CORP.    ROBERT  FORSAITH. 

A  descendent  of  the  first  settlers  of  Deering,  who  were  English,  and  he  was  born,  May 
2,  1824,  at  Deering,  and  died  on  the  battle-ground  of  Chancellorsville,  Va.,  thirty-eight 
years  and  one  day  afterward,  and  buried  by  the  enemy  on  the  field. 

He  was,  as  believed,  the  oldest  child  of  David  and  Nancy  (Mills)  Forsaith,  who  had 
five  sons  in  the  w7ar  —  Horace  and  Squiers  in  the  Fourth  and  Sixteenth  New  Hampshire 
Infantry;  Warren  in  the  New  England  Cavalry ;  John  in  a  Massachusetts  regiment ;  and 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  who  was  killed  in  the  Twelfth  New  Hampshire,  as  above  stated. 

Corporal  Forsaith  was  by  occupation  a  painter,  and  August  28,  1849,  was  married  to 
Mary  A.  Ellsworth,  of  Deering,  whose  father  was  a  cousin  to  Colonel  Ellsworth,  who  was 
killed  early  in  the  war  at  Alexandria,  Va.  Children,  Emma  J.  and  Carrie  L. 

One  of  his  comrades  says  he  was  wounded  in  the  bowels;  and  from  what  Levi  Leach, 
of  his  company,  who  thinks  he  was  the  last  one  to  ever  see  him  alive,  has  told  the  writer, 
it  seems  that  this  might  be  correct,  and  that  he  received  the  fatal  wound  unconscious  of 
the  fact,  some  little  time  before  he  fell.  Sergeant  Leach  further  said  :  "  Speak  well  of 
Corporal  Forsaith,"  to  which  the  writer  replies :  "I  cannot  truthfully  do  otherwise  if  I 
would  for  he  seems  to  have  been  a  good  Christian  soldier  and  man." 

*  See  page  212.  t  See  page  120. 


Neiv  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


705 


Bk.   Bk.   D.   5~I  I  £. 
CORP.   SAMUEL    W.   GEORGE. 


G.   S.    L.   5-9. 
LIEUT.    WILLIAM    P.    HAM. 


D.   D.   L.   5-6. 
BVT.    LIEUT.   LOAMMI    HARTSHORN. 


B.   L.    L.   5-1 
JAMES    HAWKINS. 


706  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

WILLIAM   II.    HAWKINS. 

The  father  of  this  soldier  served  in  the  Eighth  New  Hampshire,  and  died  in  the  war 
at  Camp  Kearney,  La.,  November  12,  1862,  and  had  two  other  sons,  James  (see  sketch) 
and  Lorenzo  in  the  same  company.  His  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Jane  B.  Plaisted, 
died  several  years  ago.  This  son  was  born  in  1839. 

Married,  just  before  he  enlisted,  to  Helen  Emery,  of  Meredith,  and  his  only  son,  Fred 
erick  L.,  now  a  doctor  and  practising  in  Meredith,  his  native  town,  was  about  a  year  old 
when  his  father  enlisted.  His  .great-grandfather  Plaisted  was  in  the  Revolution. 

In  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  and  at  Chancellorsville  he  was  wounded  in  knee  and 
thigh  by  two  minie  balls  as  it  seems,  the  latter  proving  fatal  (see  roster). 

He  and  his  brother,  last  mentioned,  have  their  names  on  the  "  Roll  of  Honor." 


LIEUT.    HORACE   S.   HUTCHINS. 

This  officer,  who  was  born  in  Meredith,  December  23,  1838,  is  the  son  of  Moses  and 
Miranda  (Webber)  Hutchins  and  the  brother  of  Moses  F.,  of  Company  I,  and  George  F. 
in  the  Sixteenth  Massachusetts,  wounded  at  Fair  Oaks.  His  grandfather  was  in  the  War 
of  1812. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville.  Although  wounded  severely 
in  the  elbow  May  2.  1863,  he  kept  with  his  company  and  fought  in  the  great  battle  of  the 
next  day  until  wounded  again  in  the  hand  and  wrist.  In  trying  to  get  to  the  rear,  he  was 
run  over  by  the  cavalry  and  lay  helpless  on  the  ground  until  picked  up  and  carried  off  the 
field.  In  the  spring  of  1864,  he  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant  in  the  First  United 
States  Volunteers,  and  served  until  after  the  close  of  the  war  on  the  western  frontier, 
where  he  was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant,  and  commanded  his  company  in  a  defensive 
fight  of  several  hours  against  a  large  force  of  Indians. 

Married  Hannah  H.  Sturtevant,  of  Moultonborough  (deceased).  Children,  Herbert  E., 
Horace  W.,  and  Annie  L.  Married  Ellen  E.  Horn,  January  26,  1882  ;  one  child. 

His  claims  as  a  soldier  were  good. 


CORP.  JEREMIAH  F.  JENNESS. 

And  here  its  the  privilege  of  the  reader  to  look  upon  the  engraved  print  of  another  of 
the  heroes  of  the  "Old  Twelfth,"  who  first  saw  the  light  in  Meredith,  at  the  hour  of  4  p.  M., 
on  the  13th  day  of  July,  1844.  Youngest  child  of  Jeremiah  and  Dorothy  (Dockham) 
Jenness. 

He  never  belonged  to  the  coffee-cooling  brigade  nor  curried  favor  with  any  officer  high 
or  low.  Independent  in  thought  and  action,  he  never  hesitated  to  express  the  one,  or  per 
form  the  other,  without  fear  or  favor;  but  when  or  where  the  enemy  moved  or  fought 
he  was  there,  and  ready  to  do  his  full  share.  The  colors  of  his  regiment  were  never 
endangered,  but  he  was  there  to  protect  them,  except  at  Chancellorsville,  and  then  he  was 
on  detached  service. 

Wounded  slightly  at  Gettysburg,  hut  went  through  all  other  battles  untouched  except 
in  clothes. 

Sibyl  N.,  daughter  of  Abel  Nutting,  of  Plymouth,  became  his  wife,  April  3,  1875. 
Children,  Elmer  F.  and  Mazie  A. 

Like  most  of  the  youth  who  enlisted  in  the  Twelfth,  he  spent  his  early  years  in  work 
ing  upon  his  father's  farm  and  attending  the  district  school,  where  by  healthful  labor  and 
athletic  sports,  he  developed  the  strong  and  enduring  qualities  of  body  and  mind,  without 
which  he  could  never  have  made  for  himself  such  a  long  and  honorable  record  in  the 
service  of  his  country.  May  many  happy  years  be  his  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  labor. 


J\'ew  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


707 


B.    I)B.    L.    ^-I  I. 
WILLIAM    H.    HAWKINS. 


B.  S.  L.  5-71. 

LIEUT.   HORACE    8.    HUTCHINS. 


G.    B.   L.   5-9. 
CORP.  JEREMIAH    F.  JEXNESS. 


708  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

SERGT.   ALDEN  A.  KIDDER. 

This  good  man  and  soldier  was  the  son  of  Thomas  B.  and  Sally  (Perkins)  Kidder,  and 
was  born  in  Dumbarton,  April  25,  1824.  The  family  is  of  English  descent  and  has  an 
honorable  record. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  middle  one  of  five  children  (three  boys),  and  was 
married  on  the  29th  of  April,  1852.  His  wife's  name,  before  marriage,  was  Julia  H.  Ilin- 
man,  of  Bangor,  Me.  Their  only  child,  Albert  A.,  is  living  with  his  mother  in  Meredith. 

He  was  all  the  time  with  the  regiment,  and  in  all  its  battles  until  severely  wounded 
in  left  shoulder  at  the  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff;  not  in  active  service  afterward. 

His  occupation,  before  and  after  the  war,  a  shoemaker.  He  was  an  honor  to  the  regi 
ment. 


CAPT.   JOSEPH    W.   LANG,  JR. 

This  noble  hearted,  whole  souled  officer  is  the  son  of  Thomas  E.  and  Cynthia  (Blais- 
dell)  Lang,  and  was  born  in  Tuftonborough,  December  2,  1832. 

He  married  Lucy  A.  Leach,  of  Wells,  Me.,  January  19,  1800,  and  has  one  daughter, 
Elizabeth  W.,  recently  a  teacher  in  Boston. 

When  permission  was  given  to  raise  a  regiment  in  Belknap  county,  Captain  Lang,  who 
was  then  a  partner  in  trade  with  Isaiah  Winch  (see  sketch)  at  Meredith  Village,  at  once 
set  about  raising  a  company,  and  turning  their  store  into  a  recruiting  office  enlisted  eighty- 
six  men,  of  what  was  afterward  known  as  Company  I,  and  being  as  popular  as  he  was  in 
earnest,  was  unanimously  chosen  its  commander.  He  himself  was  the  first  man  to  enlist 
in  Company  I,  August  14,  1862,  and  enlisted  twenty-five  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  the  skirmishes  in  front 
of  Petersburg.  At  Chancellorsville,  he  was  wounded  severely  in  leg  and  taken  prisoner, 
being  held  fourteen  days.  The  wound  in  his  leg  prevented  him  from  marching  into  Rich 
mond  with  the  regiment.  He  was  discharged  on  account  of  wounds  August  19,  1804. 

Since  the  war  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming  and  teaming  at  Meredith.  A  man  of 
sterling  character  and  honesty,  and  while  a  member  of  Company  I  survives  he  will  not  lack 
a  friend. 


SERGT.   LEVI   LEACH. 

Born  the  last  but  one  of  the  ten  children  of  Levi  and  Betsey  (Conant)  Leach,  who 
then  (October  1,  1818)  resided  in  Bridgewater,  Mass. 

Married  Susan  Catharine,  daughter  of  Dr.  Sanborn,  April  30,  1845.  Children,  William 
S.  (see  sketch)  and  Edward  G.  Leach,  who  is  a  lawyer  in  Concord. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg.  At  Chancellors 
ville  a  musket  ball  went  through  his  haversack,  glancing  on  a  tin  plate  therein  which 
saved  him  from  a  dangerous,  if  not  a  fatal,  wound.  He  received  a  serious  and  painful 
wound  at  Gettysburg,  disabling  him  from  further  military  service.  In  this  battle  he  acted 
as  both  orderly  sergeant  and  lieutenant,  showing  a  cool  head  and  ready  hand.  When 
wounded,  using  his  musket  as  a  cane,  he  at  last  succeeded  in  reaching  a  house  in  the  rear, 
but  found  it  full,  as  was  also  the  barn,  of  the  wounded,  dying,  or  dead,  and  he  with  many 
others  was  glad  of  partial  shelter  through  the  night  in  a  straw  stack. 

For  many  years,  before  the  war,  he  was  a  school  and  vocal  music  teacher,  gaining  an 
enviable  reputation  in  both  vocations.  Since  his  discharge,  he  has  been  honored  and 
respected  as  an  honest  and  intelligent  farmer. 

He  and  his  son  were  the  oldest  and  youngest,  respectively,  of  their  company,  the 
former  lacking  but  six  years  of  fifty,  and  the  latter  the  same  number  of  twenty-one. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers, 


709 


DB.  LB.    L.   5-IO. 
SEKGT.   ALDEX    A.    KIDDEK. 


B.   L.   S.    S-' 
CAPT.  JOSEPH    \V.    LANG,  JR. 


B.    15.    I..   5-6. 
SEKGT.    LEVI    LEACH. 


710  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

WILLIAM   S.   LEACH. 

"  Death  likes  a  shining  mark,"  and  found  it  here  in  one  of  the  youngest  and  most 
promising  of  the  many  brave  and  brilliant  youth  of  the  regiment,  whose  heroic  patriotism 
deserves  the  highest  praise. 

Born  in  Meredith,  February  4,  1847,  he  was  but  six  months  and  ten  days  past  his 
fifteenth  birthday  when  he  enlisted,  not  as  waiter,  clerk,  or  musician,  but  as  a  musket 
bearer  in  the  ranks,  where  he  marched  and  fought  side  by  side  with  robust  and  full-bearded 
manhood.  His  father,  Levi  Leach,  who  enlisted  in  the  same  company,  and  his  mother, 
Catharine  (Sanborn)  Leach,  are  still  living  and  relate,  with  tearful  eyes,  the  sad  story  of 
the  bright  hope  and  cherished  paternal  pride  forever  crushed  by  the  untimely  death  of 
their  firstborn. 

From  early  youth .  he  evinced  marked  intellectual  development  far  beyond  his  years ; 
and  when  but  seven  or  eight  years  of  age  cared  more  for  study  than  for  play,  and  was  more 
interested  in  politics  and  the  columns  of  the  New  York  Tribune,  than  in  Arabian  Nights 
or  Gulliver's  Travels. 

"  Father,  this  Rebellion  must  be  put  down,  and  we  must  go  and  help  do  it."  They 
went ;  but  in  a  few  months  the  father  returns  with  the  lifeless  form  of  his  son,  taken  from 
the  altar  of  his  country  to  bury  beneath  the  snow  covered  sod  of  his  native  state.  Typho- 
malarial  fever,  brought  on  by  exposure  at  Fredericksbuvg,  and  upon  the  "  mud  march," 
ended  the  brief,  but  brave  and  manly  career  of  this  young  patriot.  "  In  the  very  May- 
morn  of  his  youth  "  freedom  claimed  him  as  her  own  ;  and  without  a  single  tear  of  sorrow 
or  murrnuv  of  complaint,  he  smilingly  answered  to  her  call,  and  joined  the  long  line  of  her 
martyred  hosts  that  are  now  marching  onward  to  the  "  music  of  the  spheres." 


JOHN   P.   McKENDRICK. 

This  soldier,  oldest  of  the  family  of  six  children,  three  boys  and  three  girls,  was  born 
in  Bristol,  on  the  8th  of  September,  1839,  and  his  parents  were  John  F.  G.  and  Susan 
(Cram)  McKendrick.  His  brother,  George  C.,  was  in  the  Twentieth  Massachusetts,  and 
was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Wilderness. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  ChancellorsviUe,  and  wounded  in  latter  battle  by 
minie  ball  in  head,  on  which  account  he  was  discharged. 

Married  December  29,  1859,  to  Maria  P.  Ellsworth,  of  Meredith,  and  had  the  follow 
ing  children,  Elmer  E.,  John  II.,  and  Alice  E. 

Millman  by  occupation. 

CORP.    ALBERT   MERRILL. 

Son  of  Winthrop  and  Martha  (Noyes)  Merrill,  of  Campton  Village,  in  which  he  was 
born,  June  5,  1838. 

He  was  with  the  regiment  at  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Gettysburg,  Siege  of  Peters 
burg,  Cold  Harbor,  Raid  on  the  Petersburg  road,  and  Bermuda  Hundred,  where,  he  was 
captured  by  Stewart's  brigade,  Pickett's  division.  Concerning  his  capture  he  says :  "  I  was- 
taken  to  General  Pickett's  headquarters  and  questioned  as  follows : 

General  Pickett.     '  What  regiment  do  you  belong  to  V ' 

'Twelfth  New  Hampshire  Volunteers.' 

General  Pickett.     '  Is  Lincoln  elected  V  ' 

'  Yes,  sir.' 

General  Pickett.     '  By  G-d,  we'll  keep  you  four  years.' 

General  Pickett's  aid.     '  Do  you  ever  expect  to  get  home?  ' 

'  I  don't  know.' 

General  Pickett.     '  Have  your  folks  got  much  force  over  there  ?  ' 

'  Yes,  sir,  a  tremendous  force.' 

General  Pickett.     '  Have  they  any  mortars  ?  ' 

'  I  suppose  so,  got  lots  of  artillery  of  all  kinds.' 

Thus  ended  the  conversation,  and  I  was  taken  to  Richmond  to  old  Libby  prison." 


Hampshire   Volunteers. 


711 


D.   D.    D.   5-6. 
WILLIAM    S.    LEACH. 


15.    D.    L.   5-9^. 
JOHN7    P.    MCKENDRICK. 


COUP.   ALBERT    MEKR1LL. 


712  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

He  was  also  confined  in  Pemberton,  Goldsborough,  and  Salisbury  prisons  until  March  2, 
1865. 

He  married  Carrie  A.  Crowell,  of  Chelsea,  Mass.,  June  2,  1867,  by  whom  he  has  two 
children,  Frank  A.  and  Etta  F. 

Since  the  war  he  has  been  connected  with  the  railroad  as  clerk  and  conductor. 

His  brother,  Charles  E.,  was  in  the  First  and  Twelfth  Massachusetts  Light  Artillery, 
and  afterwards  commissioned  in  a  colored  regiment.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  if  living, 
is  one  of  the  bravest  and  most  faithful  soldiers  in  his  company,  but  his  health  was  ruined 
in  rebel  prisons  and  he  has  been  a  constant  sufferer  from  the  effects  of  scurvy  and  other 
diseases  ever  since. 

CAPT.   SAMUEL  B.   NOYES. 

Here  is  the  face  of  one  who  entered  the  service  beardless  and  fragile  in  looks,  but  who 
stood  the  hardships  of  active  service  by  being  slightly  favored  at  first,  being  mail  carrier 
for  a  while,  and  was  discharged  at  the  end  of  the  war  as  captain  of  company  (see  roster). 
He  was  in  two  or  three  engagements  and  wounded  in  shoulder  at  Gettysburg.  He  was 
promoted  to  captain  after  being  transferred  to  the  United  States  service  (see  roster),  and 
was  stationed  at  Fort  Wrights,  Dak.,  near  which  he  had  two  or  three  skirmishes  with  the 
Indians. 

Only  son,  two  sisters  still  survive  him,  of  Enoch  W.  and  Mary  L.  (Bean)  Noyes,  and 
was  born  in  Meredith,  December  10,  1842.  He  was  a  good  scholar,  and  was  attending 
high  school  at  Tilton  when  he  enlisted  from  a  sense  of  duty. 

Married  Annette  C.  Curry,  of  Tilton,  and  of  his  two  children.  Mary  J.  died  when  about 
one  year  old,  and  Harry  Lincoln  now  lives  in  Boon,  la.,  where  his  mother,  now  Mrs. 
Mason,  resides. 

He  engaged  in  grocery  business  in  Chicago  after  the  war,  but  his  health,  always  deli 
cate,  failing,  he  returned  to  Tilton  where  he  died  of  consumption,  January  15,  1870.  Thus 
in  early  manhood  his  earthly  career  ended ;  but  not  until  he  had  proved  himself  worthy 
of  a  long  cherished  memory  and  fitted  as  a  leader  in  the  higher  life.  lie  was  liked  and 
his  death  lamented  by  all  who  knew  him. 


OSCAR  J.    PIPER. 

This  soldier,  the  only  son  of  John  and  Sarah  H.  (Moses)  Piper,  was  born  in  Meredith, 
November  27,  1-845. 

Married  April  27,  1867,  to  Mary  A.  Batchelder,  of  Hooksett.  Children,  Emma  L., 
Fred  S.,  and  Fred  O.,  the  last  two  deceased.  Second  marriage,  January  1,  1876,  to  Ina  A. 
Nelson,  of  Plymouth.  Children,  Fred  II.,  Oscar  G.,  Ralph  N.,  and  Earl  R. 

In  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  after  which  he  was  taken  sick  and  discharged,  but 
re-enlisted  into  the  New  Hampshire  Heavy  Artillery,  and  served  in  that  regiment  to  the 
end  of  the  war. 

He  was  the  tent-mate  of  Gilman  Smith,  and  the  picture  of  him  here  seen  was  taken 
the  day  he  enlisted. 

CORP.   NATHAN   G.   PLUMMER. 

Son  of  Moses  G.  and  Betsey  (Smith)  Plummer ;  born  in  Meredith,  February  6,  1841, 
and  married  November  11,  1869,  to  Sarah  E.  Glidden,  of  Meredith,  by  whom  he  has  had 
two  children,  Evelyn  M.  and  Ida  G. 

His  brothers,  Edward  C.  and  Martin  B.,  were  in  the  army ;  Edward,  in  the  Fourth 
Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery,  and  died  of  yellow  fever  at  Newberne,  N.  C. ;  and  Martin 
in  the  First  New  Hampshire  Cavalry,  and  served  through  the  war. 

In  Fredericksburg,  Gettysburg,  Swift  Creek,  Bermuda  Hundred,  Port  Walthall,  and 
also  Cold  Harbor,  where  he  was  wounded  by  bullet  in  left  shoulder,  in  left  leg  by  piece  of 
shell,  and  his  clothes  and  equipments  pierced  with  bullets. 

To  the  above  we  need  only  add  the  words  of  his  captain,  that  he  "  was  one  of  the  very 
best  of  men  and  soldiers." 


Ve-zu  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


713 


B.    L.   L.   5-7. 
CAPT.   SAMUEL    H.    NO  YES. 


B.    I,.    I..   5-6. 
OSCAR    J.    PIPER, 


B.   D.    L.   5-7^. 
CORP.   XATHAX    G.    PLUMMER. 


B.    D.   L.   5-7. 
BVT.    LIEUT.  JOSIAH    H.    PRESCOTT. 


714  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

BVT.   LIEUT.   JOSIAH    H.  PRESCOTT. 

Son  of  James  M.  and  Patience  K.  Prescott,  and  born  in  Meredith,  September  6,  1840. 

Married  January  2,  1864,  to  Mary  L.,  daughter  of  William  G.  Hoyt,  formerly  of  Gilford. 
Children,  Clara  L.  and  Ruth  A. 

He  was  appointed  quartermaster-sergeant  at  the  organization  of  the  regiment,  and 
acted  as  snch  until  commissioned  second  lieutenant  of  Company  D,  May  18,  1863  (see 
roster).  According  to  his  own  record  he  was  commissioned  first  lieutenant,  September  2, 
1863,  but  was  never  mustered  and  acted  a  while  as  adjutant.  He  was  taken  sick  on  the 
march  to  Gettysburg,  rejoining  the  regiment  at  Point  Lookout,  from  which  he  was  soon 
after  discharged.  He  was  prompt  and  efficient  as  assistant  to  Quartermaster  Winch  with 
whom,  soon  after  the  war,  he  wTent  into  the  mercantile  business  at  Fernandina,  Fla.,  where 
he  still  resides. 

SERGT.   EDWIN    PRONK. 

Son  of  John  and  Abigail  (French)  Pronk,  and  grandson  of  John  Pronk,  who  was  a 
noted  physician  in  Germany.  Born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  January  17,  1825,  and  married  Sarah 
P.  Church,  of  Xewbury,  Vt.,  in  1852,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Emma  W.  (deceased) 
and  John  E. 

The  father  of  this  soldier  died  on  board  the  United  States  ship  "  Ohio  "  in  1854,  hav 
ing  served  in  the  navy  twenty-five  years,  and  being  carpenter's  mate  at  the  time  of  his 
decease. 

Sergeant  Pronk  had  been  a  captain  in  the  old  state  militia  and  would  probably  have 
soon  been  promoted  to  a  commissioned  officer  had  his  health  allowed  him  to  remain  longer 
with  the  regiment,  which  he  left  at  Warrenton,  Va.,  a  few  weeks  after  leaving  Washing 
ton,  remaining  in  hospital  until  discharged. 

A  miller  before  enlistment,  and  a  watchman  and  railroad  employee  since  discharge.  He 
has  been  chairman  of  the  "  town  fathers,"  of  Hooksett,  and  held  other  town  offices. 


OILMAN    SMITH. 

Next  to  the  youngest  of  nine  children  of  Daniel  P.  and  Abigail  (Dolloff)  Smith.  He 
was  born  in  Meredith,  April,  1846.  , 

At  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  he  was  wounded  by  ball  that  went  into  his  chest 
entering  through  the  neck.  He  lived  until  the  next  day  or  two  in  great  agony,  and  died 
as  he  was  carried  through  the' camp  at  Falmouth  for  Potomac  Creek  hospital,  and  was 
buried  at  Falmouth. 

He  deserves  honorable  mention  as  a  good  man  and  a  plucky  soldier. 


CORP.   WILLIAM   H.   STICKNEY. 

Look  here  at  another  beardless  youth  witli  his  cap  on  and  his  coat  closely  buttoned  up 
as  becomes  a  soldier.  You  would  hardly  recognize  him  now  by  his  picture,  which  was  taken 
soon  after  he  enlisted,  but  the  same  brave  and  manly  heart  is  still  beating,  though  thirty- 
five  years  have  passed  since  then. 

The  fifth  of  nine  children  of  Benjamin  and  Phebe  (Pulsifer)  Stickney,  and  was  born 
February  16,  1843.  One  of  his  six  brothers  was  in  the  Thirty-ninth  Massachusetts. 

Fought  on  every  battle-field  that  the  regiment  did,  except  Gettysburg,  when  he  was 
suffering  from  wound  in  right  hand  by  minie  ball  at  Chancellorsville.  Also  wounded  in 
left  leg  in  Siege  of  Petersburg,  and  again  by  minie  ball  in  left  shoulder  while  running 
the  gauntlet  of  rebel  lines  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  to  escape  being  taken  prisoner,  preferring 
quick  death  to  slow  starvation. 

Married  Sarah  O.,  daughter  of  Joseph  Hodgdon,  of  Campton,  August  30,  1870. 
Willie,  their  only  child,  died  in  infancy. 

For  ten  years  after  the  war  he  worked  in  a  factory;  since  which, a  farmer.  Captain 
Lang  says  of  him  :  "  One  of  the  best ;  a  good  and  truthful  man."  But  no  words  can 
improve  his  record  as  a  soldier  for  it  is  nearly  perfect. 


JVczu  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


715 


D.   D.    L.   5-9. 
SERGT.    EDWIN    PROXK. 


B.   L.   L.   5-IO. 
OILMAN    SMITH. 


B.   L.    L.   5-9. 
CORP.   WILLIAM    H.   STICKNEY. 


B.    DP.    L.   5-1  I. 
SERGT.   THOMAS    WELCH. 


716  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

SERGT.   THOMAS   WELCH. 

The  above  soldier  was  born  in  Ossipee,  May  12,  1824,  and  son  of  James  and  Mary 
(White)  Welch. 

He  was  in  the  pioneer  corps  most  of  the  time  during  his  enlistment.  He  was  in  the 
battle  of  Chancellorsville,  where  he  was  taken  prisoner.  E.  W.  Shannon,  of  Company  G, 
and  Uo\v  B.  Griffin,  of  Company  I),  both  excellent  soldiers  and  brave  fighters,  were  for  a 
long  time  his  comrades  in  the  pioneer  corps.  They  all  deserve  honorable  mention. 

Married  Julia  Eldridge,  of  Ossipee,  several  years  before  his  enlistment,  and  his  chil 
dren  are,  Mellissa,  Ella,  Mary,  Charles  M.,  John  S.,  George  L.,  and  John  C.,  three  or  four 
of  \\horn  are  still  living. 

He  was  a  stone  cutter  before  the  war. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  717 


COMPANY    K. 

Company  K  was  enlisted  mostly  from  the  towns  of  Wolfeborough, 
Tuftonborough,  and  Wentworth,  by  Silas  May,  Milo  E.  Haines,  and 
John  Peavey.  One  of  the  men  who  enlisted  died  before  the  company 
went  into  camp  at  Concord. 

Colonel  Peavey  called  a  meeting  at  Melvin  Village,  at  the  chapel  on 
the  middle  road  (so  called),  speeches  being  made  by  him  and  several 
townsmen. 

The  meeting  for  the  election  of  officers  was  holden  in  the  Piper 
school  house,  and  Silas  May  was  elected  captain  over  Ham  of  Tufton 
borough,  by  one  majority.  William  F.  Dame  was  elected  first  lieuten 
ant  at  the  same  meeting  ;  for  second  lieutenant,  George  L.  Batchelder  ; 
sergeants,  Samuel  A.  Seavey,  Daniel  P.  Haines,  Marquis  D.  L. 
McDuffee,  Freeman  O.  Willey,  and  Joseph  Morgan,  Jr.  ;  corporals, 
Jacob  B.  Tuttle,  Charles  Sullivan,  Enoch  C.  Piper,  Daniel  W.  Horner, 
Charles  A.  Warren,  William  B.  Rendal,  Wilbra  W.  Swett,  and  John 
L.  Canney  ;  James  H.  Stanyan  and  Jacob  Hanson,  drummer  and  fifer. 

Mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  September  10,  1862. 


718  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

GEORGE  H.  BLAKE 

Was  born  at  Wolfeborough,  May  22,  1842,  and  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  Ann  (Bick- 
ford)  Blake.  Son  of  a  fanner,  as  can  be  said  of  most  of  the  regiment. 

After  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  in  which  he  participated,  he  was  detailed  as  team 
ster  and  served  as  such  until  June.  1803,  when  he  was  detached  from  regiment  and  served 
as  wagon  master  of  the  supply  train  in  the  third  division,  of  the  Third  Army  Corps,  until 
the  end  of  the  war. 

His  grandfather,  on  his  father's  side,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Revolution. 

He  was  married,  December  27,  1871,  to  Gertrude  M.,  daughter  of  Benjamin  R.  Dow, 
of  Boscawen.  Children,  Hostem  F.,  Frank  (deceased),  Ralph  P.,  and  Gertrude  A. 


ORLANDO   BOYD. 

The  square  cut  mouth,  firmly  closed  lips,  and  straight  forward  look  of  this  young  and 
beardless  soldier  all  indicate  to  the  careful  observer  something  more  than  a  mere  glance  at 
his  boyish  face  seems  to  reveal.  Tall,  slim,  slightly  bent  forward,  and  apparently  of  weak 
constitution,  he  was  perhaps  the  last  man  in  his  company  that  one  would  have  picked  to  have 
made  such  a  noble  war  record  for  himself  as  he  did.  So  much  for  his  looks,  now  let  us 
consider  his  acts,  for  "  by  their  works  ye  may  judge  them." 

He  was  in  and  through  "every  fight  and  hardship  of  the  regiment,  and,  excepting  a 
slight  contusion  on  right  leg  at  Gettysburg,  and  a  minie  sting  at  Cold  Harbor,  he  went 
through  all  untouched  in  person,  though  his  equipments  received  bullet  marks  at  Chancel- 
lorsville.  Never  in  hospital,  except  for  twenty-six  days  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  with  chills 
and  fever. 

Though  Cupid's  arrows  have,  as  yet,  had  no  more  impression  upon  him  than  rebel 
bullets,  it  is  hoped  he  may  still  be  struck  by  a  chance  shot  of  the  mischievous  little  archer 
and  his  honored  name  be  given  to  the  oldest  sons  for  many  generations. 

Son  of  David  and  Laura  (Ellsworth)  Boyd,  and  born  in  Wentworth,  January  30,  1842. 


ANDREW   R.   BRACKETT. 

Here  is  another  of  the  "  boys  "  in  age  as  well  as  name,  being  under  fourteen  years  of 
age  when  he  enlisted,  and  the  youngest  but  one  of  the  regiment.  Son  of  Alexander  and 
Almira  D.  (Look)  Brackett,  and  born  in  Addison,  Me.,  January  13,  1848. 

He  joined  the  regiment  as  a  recruit  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  and  was  constantly  with  it, 
except  for  a  few  days,  and  in  all  its  inarches  and  battles  from  there  until  first  of  September, 
1864,  when  he  was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  hospital ;  and  this,  considering  his  size  and  age, 
and  the  fact  that  he  carried  a  gun  instead  of  a  drum,  as  he  enlisted  to,  is  a  most  remark 
able  record  indicative  of  the  same  remarkable  courage  and  energy  manifested  by  his  per 
sistent  efforts  to  be  allowed  the  privilege  of  serving  his  country.  After  trying  many  times 
in  vain  to  get  into  some  Maine  regiment,  he  left  home  and  came  into  this  state  determined 
to  try  until  successful. 

His  only  brother,  Alesto,  served  in  the  navy  and  died  of  fever,  October  14, 1864  ;  and 
his  grandfather,  John,  was  in  the  War  of  1812. 

Married  Etta  M.,  daughter  of  Isaac  M.  Bishop,  who  served  in  the  Twenty-fifth  Maine, 
November  20,  1870,  and  is  now  the  happy  father  of  Carrie  L.,  Bert  A.,  Georgie  F.,  Samuel 
W.,  and  Minnie  L.,  and  long  may  he  live  to  enjoy  the  peace  and  happiness  of  his  home. 


AMOS   E.    BRADLEY. 

Born  in  Wakefield  in  1838,  and  enlisted  from  Wolfeborough. 

In  most  of  the  battles  of  the  regiment,  and  wounded  at  Cold  Harbor  in  hand. 

He  was  killed  on  a  railroad  crossing  at  Rochester  some  years  after  the  war. 


Hampshire  Volunteers. 


719 


B.   B.    L.   6-2. 
GEORGE    II.   BLAKE. 


H.    B.   L.   6-1. 
ORLAXDO    BOYD. 


G.    L.    L.   5-3|. 
ANDREW    R.    BRACKETT. 


I).    15.    D.    5-9. 
AMOS    E.    BRADLEY 


720  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

CORP.   ALBERT   BURNHAM. 

Take  a  good  long  look  at  this  soldier's  face,  for  you  will  never  look,  even  upon  the 
picture,  of  a  better  one,  and  few  can  be  found  in  this  history  who  were  as  good. 

We  regret  that  after  special  pains  taken  to  locate  this  soldier  for  the  last  few  years 
we  have  been  unable  to  do  so. 


LIEUT.   THOMAS   C.   DAME. 

Here  he  is  as  lie  looked  eight  years  after  the  war,  sober  and  sedate  as  a  minister ;  and 
yet  there  is  quite  a  streak  of  fun  in  his  social  composition.  lie  joined  the  infant  ranks  of 
life  just  twenty-two  years  before  he  enlisted  in  the  ranks  of  war  (see  roster),  and  is  the 
fourth  in  a  family  of  five  sons  and  one  daughter.  His  brothers,  AVilliam  F.  (see  roster)  and 
Charles  W.,  were  in  the  war,  the  latter  serving  on  board  the  "  Ethan  Allen  "and  in  the 
New  Hampshire  Heavy  Artillery.  Parents,  Isaac  and  Polly  (Coffin). 

After  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  where  he  did  good  service  in  the  ranks,  he 
exchanged  the  musket  for  the  pen,  being  a  natural  master  of  the  latter,  and  did  excellent 
service  with  it,  at  regimental  and  corps  headquarters,  to  the  end  of  the  war.  At  Gettysburg, 
Drury's  Bluff,  Cold  Harbor,  Siege  of  Petersburg,  and  Capture  of  Richmond,  and  was  on 
duty  in  same  capacity  ^at  every  battle  of  the  regiment. 

Married  Georgianna,  daughter  of  Samuel  P.  Frothingham,  of  Dedham,  Mass.,  Janu 
ary  18,  1867.  Their  daughter,  Pearl  F.,  must  be  to  them  a  precious  pearl  indeed ;  for 
although  she  was  not  born  until  seventeen  years,  nine  months,  and  twelve  days  after 
marriage,  she  is  the  first  and  only  child. 

Farmer  before  enlistment ;  box  manufacturer  in  Boston,  Mass.,  since  discharge.  Sol 
dier  or  citizen,  he  was  and  is  in  every  respect  "  ().  K." 


EDWARD   E.    FALL. 

Parents,  John  and  Nancy  (Evans)  Fall.  Born  in  Alton,  July  10,  1833,  being  second 
in  a  family  of  ten  children  ;  Marshall  T.,  one  of  his  four  brothers,  was  in  a  Minnesota  cav 
alry  regiment;  grandfather,  Stephen  Fall,  in  the  War  of  1812. 

Married  May  12,  1860,  to  Martha  C.  Welch,  of  Tuftonborough,  who  died  November  29, 
1886.  Florence  H.,  wife  of  Fred  F.  Brown,  and  Ella  A.,  the  only  children. 

In  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville ;  and  severely  wounded  in  last  battle  by  ball 
through  right  shoulder,  disabling  him  for  life,  and  for  which  he  was  discharged  a  few 
months  later. 

As  a  soldier,  man,  and  citizen,  he  belongs  to  the  first  order. 


TIMOTHY    A.    HALEY. 

The  fourth  of  the  six  children  of  John  S.  and  Mary  N.  (Piper*)  Haley,  and  was  born 
in  the  town  of  Tuftonborough,  July  24,  1840. 

Married  December  19,  1869,  to  Corinna  C.  Pierce,  of  Dighton,  Mass.     No  children. 

Was  sick  and  sent  to  hospital  from  Falmouth,  Va.,  and  afterward  transferred  to  Inva 
lid  Corps  where  he  served  until  after  the  close  of  the  war.  A  student  of  medicine  at  the 
time  of  his  enlistment,  he  completed  his  studies  after  returning  home,  received  his  diploma 
from  Dartmouth,  and  is  now  a  practicing  physician  in  his  native  town. 

lie  has  a  very  large  and  valuable  collection  of  minerals,  fossils,  antique  relics,  and 
stuffed  birds,  there  being  nearly  two  thousand  of  the  latter  from  all  parts  of  the  world, 
with  eggs  of  almost  every  kind  of  the  feathered  species,  from  the,  ostrich  to  the  humming 

bird. 

*  Aunt  to  Enoch  C.  Piper;  see  sketch. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


721 


II.    B.   L.    ^-9^. 
CORP.   ALBERT    BURXHAM. 


Bk.    DB.    D.    ^-6. 
LIEUT.   THOMAS    C.   DAME. 


B.    DB.    L.    ^-S. 
EDWARD    E.    FALL 


B.    B.    D.   5-1O. 
TIMOTHY    A.    HALEY. 


I'. 


722  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

JACOB   HANSON. 

This  true  hearted  man  and  soldier  was  born  April  5,  1820,  at  Ossipee,  and  son  of  Rev. 
Moses  and  Joanna  (Hanson)  Hanson. 

His  first  marriage  to  Tabitha  Hall,  Bowdoin,  Me.;  his  second  wife,  Willhelmina  D. 
Nutter ;  and  Emma  F.  Brown,  his  third  wife,  resides  at  Water  Village.  Two  children, 
Winnie  V.  and  Eda  E.,  by  his  second  wife. 

This  soldier  enlisted  as  a  fifer  and  was  present  in  that  capacity  at  the  battles  of  Fred- 
ericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg.  Wapping  Heights,  Bermuda  Hundred,  Swift 
Creek,  Relay  House,  Drury's  Bluff,  Port  Walthall,  Cold  Harbor,  Cemetery  Hill,  Siege  of 
Petersburg,  and  Capture  of  Richmond,  in  all  of  which  he  proved  his  worth  and  heroism. 

While  at  Danville,  Va.,  he  was  detailed  to  help  organize  colored  schools,  in  which  he 
proved  himself  signally  efficient. 

He  was  by  occupation  a  marble  dealer,  both  before  and  after  the  war. 

As  a  citizen  he  was  peaceable  and  law  abiding,  and  in  his  religious  belief  a  faithful 
and  true  Free  Baptist.  He  was  a  great  lover  of  music,  sacrificing  almost  any  work  to  listen 
to  any  strain  of  music  that  perchance  floated  to  his  ear.  He  was  always  a  strict  temper 
ance  man  in  the  fullest  sense  of  the  word,  and  regarded  intemperance  as  detrimental  to 
the  welfare  of  the  country  as  slavery.  His  motto  was,  God,  home,  and  native  land. 

His  death  occurred  August  17, 1886,  at  Wolfeborough,  and  he  was  interred  in  the  Water 
Village  cemetery,  where  his  grave  is  kept  green  by  the  Ambrose  Post. 


FRANKLIN   HODSDON. 

This  soldier,  a  brother  of  Joseph  Hodsdon,  of  this  company,  was  born  in  Tufton- 
borough,  in  the  year  1833,  and  was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Sobrina  (Stevens)  Hodsdon. 
There  were  three  girls  and  five  boys  in  his  father's  family. 

About  six  years  before  the  war  he  was  married  to  Nancy  Sargent.  Children,  John  H. 
and  Willie  H.  * 

Died  of  disease  at  Washington,  D.  C.  (see  roster). 


CORP.   JOSEPH    HODSDON 

Was  born  in  Tuftonborough  in  1830.  (For  family  record  see  sketch  of  his  brother,  Frank 
lin,  above.) 

He  was  in  most  of  the  battles  of  the  regiment,  and  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville 
was  wounded  in,  and  lost  a  finger.  He  rejoined  the  regiment  at  Point  Lookout  after  an 
absence  of  three  months  occasioned  by  his  wound.  After  this  he  remained  in  the  service 
until  his  discharge,  June  21,  1865,  but  no  further  record  is  known  of  his  being  in  other 
battles. 

Married  Tryphene,  daughter  of  Stephen  Dow,  of  Tuftonborough,  but  he  has  no 
children. 


LIEUT.    GEORGE    W.   HORNE. 

Oldest  of  the  three  children  (one  daughter)  of  Barzilla  and  Louisa  (Whitten)  Home, 
and  born  in  Farming-ton,  October  1,  1828.  Grandfather,  Joseph,  in  War  of  1812. 

He  was  recruiting  officer  for  a  while  when  the  regiment  was  raised,  and  enlisted  several 
men  for  Company  K.  He  was  sick  and  excused  from  duty  most  of  the  time  after  reaching 
Falmouth,  and  was  one  of  those  who  were  gathered  up  and  sent  forward  at  the  battle  of  Fred- 
ericksburg.*  After  his  discharge  from  the  Twelfth  he  remained  at  home  until  the  fall  of 
1864,  when  he  again  enlisted  and  was  appointed  second  lieutenant  of  Company  G,  First 
New  Hampshire  Heavy  Artillery,  and  served  as  such  until  the  end  of  the  war. 

Married  December  27, 1846,  to  Betsey  A.  Straw,  and  again  to  Mary  A.  Bigslow,  March  18, 
1895,  but  no  children  by  either. 

*See  page  52. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


723 


B.    II.    L.   5-10. 
JACOB    HAXSOX. 


Bk.    DB.    D.   5~IO. 
FRAXKLIX    HODSDOX. 


B.   B.   L.   5-9. 
CORP.  JOSEPH    HODSDOX. 


724  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

OSCAR   F.  HORNE 

Is  the  youngest  of  seven  children  of  Napoleon  and  Deborah  (Burleigh)  Home,  and 
born  in  Dover,  August  12,  1836.  When  he  was  four  years  old  his  father  moved  into 
Wolfeborough,  where  he  resided  until  1862,  when  he  left  the  field  of  cultivation  for  the  field 
of  war. 

He  did  not  remain  long  in  the  service  on  account  of  being  early  disabled,  and  was- 
discharged  at  Alexandria,  Va.,  five  months  after  he  had  enlisted  (see  roster),  being  engaged 
in  none  of  the  battles  of  the  regiment. 

Married  to  Cynthia  A.  Kicker,  sister  of  Captain  Kicker,  of  this  company,  October  10, 
1860.  He  has  no  children. 

He  now  resides  on  the  old  homestead  where  his  father  was  born  and  lived  except  for 
about  six  years. 


SERGT.  DANIEL    W.    IIORXER. 

Every  company  had  its  heroes,  and  Company  K  was  not  without  its  full  share,  and 
here  is  one  of  them.  October  22,  1829,  Gran  by,  in  the  Province  of  Quebec,  gives  his  time 
and  place  of  birth.  His  father,  John,  fought  against  the  British  at  the  battle  of  Plattsburg. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  relates  of  him  as  follows  : 

"  It  was  Sunday  and  he  was  eating  breakfast  when  the  cannonading  commenced.  He 
went  twenty  miles,  carried  his  gun,  and  went  aboard  one  of  our  war  vessels  when  the  deck 
was  red  with  the  blood  of  the  dead  and  wounded.  While  he  was  there  a  rooster  flew  up 
into  the  rigging  and  crowed." 

His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Mary  Door.  He  married  Lizzie  A.,  daughter  of 
Walter  N.  Cotton,  of  Wolfeborough,  June  15,  1858.  Children,  John  W.,  George  S.,  Arthur 
E.,  and  Charles  D.,  all  living. 

In  every  battle  from  Fredericksburg  to  Capture  of  Richmond.  At  Chancellorsville  a 
minie  ball  cut  off  the  middle  band  of  his  gun  and  so  dented  the  barrel  while  he  was  load 
ing  that  when  he  fired  he  was  badly  injured  in  arm  and  shoulder,  laming  him  for  a  long 
time ;  and  wounded  again  in  left  thigh  by  picket  shot  at  Gettysburg,  so  he  had  to  be 
carried  from  the  field  on  a  stretcher,  yet  he  never  left  the  regiment  or  went  to  hospital. 
While  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  he  was  detailed  as  recruiting  sergeant  and  sent  to  Concord, 
where  he  remained  through  the  winter  of  1864.  He  had  charge  for  a  long  time  of  the- 
men  detailed  from  the  regiment  as  pioneers,  and  acted  as  such  in  helping  to  bury  the  dead 
at  Cold  Harbor  and  other  battles;  and  in  November,  1864,  was  detached  as  first  sergeant 
of  the  brigade  pioneer  corps,  composed  from  Twelfth  New  Hampshire,  Eleventh  New  Jer 
sey,  One  Hundred  and  Fifteenth  New  York,  and  Sixty-second  Ohio  Regiments. 

He  says  :  "  Capt.  T.  E.  Barker  and  myself  were  the  first  two  to  cross  the  breastworks 
at  Chancellorsville,  and  Charles  A.  Warren  and  I  were  the  last  so  far  as  I  saw  to  leave  the 
oaks  where  we  fought  so  long  and  desperate.  The  whole  regiment  fell  back  and  we  knew 
nothing  about  it.  I  helped  Charles  Taylor,  of  Company  C,  off  the  field.  He  was  wounded 
in  the  shoulder  and  thigh.  I  got  him  down  to  where  we  formed  in  line  of  battle  in  the 
morning  and  was  letting  him  drink  out  of  my  canteen  when  a  squad  of  rebels  came  within 
ten  fwet  of  us,  and  one  cocked  his  gun  when  he  saw  us.  I  started  then  to  run  and  they 
commenced  firing.  I  threw  away  everything  I  had  in  trying  to  save  myself,  and  get  inside 
our  lines  once  more." 

His  occupation,  before  enlistment  and  since  discharge,  farming  and  running  a  saw 
mill.  Sick  or  wounded  he  never  went  to  hospital,  but  always  staid  with  his  regiment  in 
field  or  in  camp.  Able,  willing,  brave,  and  faithful,  he  acted  well  his  part  in  the  tragic 
drama  of  1861-5. 


New  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


725 


B.    L.   L.   5- 
LIEUT.   GEORGE    \V.   HORNE. 


D.   Bk.   D.   5-7. 
OSCAR    F.    HORNE. 


B.    D.   D.   5-5!. 
SEIKiT.    DANIEL    AV.    HORNER. 


726  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

LEVI   W.   LADD. 

The  only  son  and  child  but  one  of  Gordon  and  Dolly  (Young)  Ladd  ;  born  July  11, 
1843. 

Lived  in  Tuftonborough,  and  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  his  enlistment  in  the 
Twelfth  Regiment. 

Taken  sick  on  march  to  Falmouth,  Va.,  and  left  at  Lovettsville,  where  he  came  very 
near  being  captured  by  Mosby's  guerrillas ;  Mosby  himself  visiting  the  very  house 
where  he  was  secreted.  Rejoined  regiment  on  the  last  day's  fight  at  Gettysburg,  and  in 
most  or  all  of  the  battles  after  that ;  for  though  wounded  in  left  leg  by  shot  or  shell,  that 
he  attempted  to  dispute  the  right  of  way  with  at  Cold  Harbor,  he  kept  along  most  of  the 
time  with  his  comrades  in  the  ranks,  and  came  home  with  them  at  the  end. 

Married  Maranda  S.,  daughter  of  George  Mills,  of  Hudson,  Mass.,  and  widow  of  Wil- 
lard  Hunting,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Thirty-eighth  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  and  died 
in  Salisbury  prison,  N.  C.  Children,  Etta  M.  and  Lizzie  E. 

Farmer's  boy  before  the  war,  machinist  and  carpenter  since,  and  resided  most  of  the 
time  at  Lawrence,  Mass.,  and  is  as  good  a  citizen  as  he  was  a  soldier. 

He  says  :  "Lieutenant  Jewett  and  I  carried  Chaplain  Ambrose  off  the  field,  when  he 
was  wounded  with  the  bullets  flying  thickly  around  us.  He  was  the  coolest  man  I  ever 
saw  and  several  times  encouraged  us  by  brave  and  cheering  words." 


CORP.  DANIEL  LEARY. 

Born  in  Cork,  Ireland,  May  3,  1819,  and  came  to  this  country  when  he  was  twenty-five 
years  old. 

January  6,  1852,  he  married  Mary  A.  Swett,  of  Tuftonborough,  by  whom  he  had  five 
children,  Sarah  A.,  Martha  P.,  John  N.,  and  Eveline  M.,  the  oldest  and  youngest  of  whom 
are  dead. 

He  was  in  Fredericksburg,  and  instantly  killed  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  by  a 
musket  ball  through  his  head. 

He  was  a  good  and  brave  soldier  and  nobly  gave  his  life  for  his  adopted  country.  May 
his  children  and  their  descendents  be  long  remembered  and  respected. 


CAPT.   SILAS   MAY. 

He  was  born  in  Salem,  Mass.,  July  8,  1818,  and  was  the  son  of  Silas  and  Pamelia 
(Wyman)  May. 

His  years  before  the  war  were  occupied  as  machanic. 

He  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  and  in  Chancellorsville  where  he  was 
wounded  in  left  leg  below  the  knee,  just  as  the  battle  commenced  at  the  edge  of  the  woods. 
His  brother,  Henry  W.,  served  honorably  in  a  Massachusetts  regiment. 

Captain  May  was  twice  married,  first  to  Salem  Tilden  by  whom  he  had  two  children, 
Pamelia  J.  and  Fanny  W.,  and  second  to  Hannah  C.  Goodwin,  whose  children  by  him  were, 
Silas  I).,  Ettie  E.,  and  John  D.,  all  now  dead  but  last  two,  the  son  living  in  Buffalo,  Wyo., 
and  the  daughter,  Mrs.  John  T.  Wentworth,  of  Wakefield. 

While  in  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  (see  roster),  he  was  stationed  at  Washington  when 
Lincoln  was  inaugurated.  His  daughter  gives  the  following  extracts  from  his  letters  :  "  My 
regiment  received  what  is  considered  the  post  of  honor.  *  *  *  *  My  post  was  on  the 
steps  of  the  east  wing,  the  senate  wing.  This  was  the  entrance,  the  main  or  middle 
entrance  being  closed,  and  a  platform  erected  in  front  where  the  oath  of  office  was  admin 
istered  to  the  president  and  from  which  he  delivered  his  inaugural  address.  From  my 
position  I  could  see  all  worth  seeing."  May  7,  1865,  he  wrote  :  "  I  have  been  on  duty  at 
the  arsenal  where  Harold,  Paine,  and  others,  of  the  assassin  tribe,  are  confined  and  I  do  not 
feel  the  least  emotion  of  pity,  only  that  they  should  have  been  so  wicked  as  to  plot  and 
undertake  the  terrible  murders  they  did." 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


727 


H .   nk.   i,.   5-4^. 

LEVI    \V.    I.ADD. 


••-•.    ••:••/'  '.••  •  ^••W-.'-Vv.' 
B.    1>.    L.   5-7. 

CORP.    DANIEL    T.EARY. 


II.    B.    D.   5-IO. 
CAPT.   SII.AS    MAY. 


728  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

Sometime  in  March,  1865,  he  was  sent  south  where,  at  Granada,  Miss.,  he  died  Octo 
ber  22,  1866,  of  typhoid  fever,  "  and  the  government  lost,"  as  said  of  him,  "  a  faithful  and 
efficient  officer  and  his  family  one  to  whom  he  was  most  affectionately  devoted." 

The  picture  shown  is  engraved  from  one  taken  of  him  while  a  captain  in  the  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps.  One  thing  should  be  mentioned  here  which  speaks  loud  in  his  praise. 
When  the  regiment  arrived  at  Washington  after  the  Gettysburg  campaign  he  met  them 
with  his  heart  full  of  pity  as  shown  by  his  acts  of  brotherly  kindness,*  and  who  shall  say 
that  ere  this  he  has  not  met  many  of  them  again  on  the  other  shore. 


SERGT.  MARQUIS  D.  L.  MCDUFFEE. 

A  native  of  Alton  ;  son  of  Jacob  and  Amanda  (Piper)  McDuffee,  and  born  Novem 
ber  24,  18:53. 

Married  Clara,  daughter  of  Greenleaf  Piper,  of  Tuftonborough,  March,  1855;  one  son, 
Walter  L.,  deceased,  unmarried.  Second  wife,  Alice  C.  Foss  ;  no  children. 

His  grandfather,  James  McDuffee,  was  the  first  settler  in  East  Alton. 

In  Fredericksburg,  and  carried  the  state  colors  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  where, 
for  one  hour  and  twenty  minutes,  he  defiantly  held  them  aloft  against  the  terrible  battle 
blast  of  lead  and  iron  hail,  until,  with  his  clothes  and  the  flag  riddled  with  bullets,  and 
himself  severely  wounded  in  the  leg,  he  heroically  fulfilled  the  promise  he  had  made  to  his 
colonel,  to  bring  his  colors  safely  from  the  field,  if  the  rebels  left  him  enough  of  life  and 
strength  to  do  so. 

Like  all  truly  brave  men  he  is  modest  and  unassuming  and  esteemed  most  by  those 
who  know  him  best.  His  name  honors  the  rolls  of  his  country's  defenders. 


ISAAC   N.   McINTIRE. 

This  son  of  Isaiah  and  Mary  Ann  (Stevens)  Mclntire  was  born  in  Tuftonborough. 
March  5,  1838. 

Married  Xancy  J.  Stewart,  of  his  native  town,  November  11,  18'JO,  by  whom  he  had 
one  son,  Charles  A. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chaucellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Wapping 
Heights,  part  of  Siege  of  Petersburg ;  then  taken  sick  and  was  unable  to  do  active  duty 
until  the  fall  or  winter  of  1864.  He  was  also  in  the  Capture  of  Richmond  and  detailed  at 
Potomac  Creek  to  build  hospital. 


ALVIN   MITCHELL. 

This  most  worthy  veteran  of  the  late  war  is  the  second  of  the  four  children  (one  daugh 
ter)  of  Samuel  and  Sally  (Drew)  Mitchell,  and  was  born  in  New  Durham,  September  25, 
1840.  His  great-grandfather,  John  Mitchell,  fought  seven  years  for  our  independence, 
being  all  through  the  war  ;  his  grandfather,  Joseph,  enlisted  in  1812  to  vindicate  it,  and  he, 
himself,  has  fought  and  shed  his  blood  to  preserve  our  perpetuity. 

In  all  the  battles  of  regiment,  except  Cemetery  Hill,  and  part  of  the  Siege  of  Petersburg, 
when  he  was  in  hospital  with  wound  in  left  arm  by  minie  ball  at  Cold  Harbor,  as  the  regi 
ment  debouched  from  the  woods  just  before  the  charge. 

Married  December  1,  1874,  to  Francis  J.  Twombly,  of  Dover,  and  their  children  are 
Jennie  A.  and  Albert  H. 

There  were  as  few  skim-milk  soldiers  in  Company  K  as  any  company  in  the  regiment, 
and  yet  it  can  be  truthfully  said  that  this  soldier  was  one  of  the  very  few  that  in  every 
company  constitute  the  cream.  One  of  those  quiet  and  unobtrusive  men  who  attract  no 
especial  notice  in  "the  piping  times  of  peace,"  but  need  only  the  occasion  to  prove  their 
worth,  and  be  known  to  fame. 

*  See  page  143. 


ezv  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


729 


I5k.    DB.    I).    =;  — IO. 
SKHGT.    MAHOUIS    D.    L.    MCDUFFEE. 


II.   D.    D.   5-8. 
ISAAC    N.    MCINTIIIE. 


DH.    LB.    I..    S-8^. 
ALVIN    MITCHELL. 


73°  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

JAMES   MOULTON. 

Here  is  one  of  the  many  unpronioted  heroes  of  the  regiment  who  is  worthy  of  high 
praise.  Born  in  Tuf  ton  borough,  August  20,  1824;  son  of  Jacob  and  Eunice  (Dean) 
Moulton,  who  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  he  being  the  fifth,  and  three  sisters  being 
the  only  survivors. 

Married  May  3,  1849,  to  Louisa,  daughter  of  Israel  Hunting,  of  Wellesley,  Mass.,  where 
they  now  reside.  John  F.,  George  A.,  James  W.,  Clara  L.,  Charles  H.,  Abbie  A.,  Mary  E., 
and  Willard  H.,  are  the  names  of  their  children  ;  all  living  but  two. 

In  most  of  the  battles  of  the  regiment,  except  Chancellorsville  and  Fredericksburg, 
when  he  was  on  detached  duty  in  the  ambulance  corps,  but  present  on  the  field.  Wounded 
slightly  in  right  heel  at  Gettysburg  and  severely  in  left  shoulder  at  Cold  Harbor  but 
rejoined  his  regiment  in  time  to  enter  Richmond  and  served  until  its  final  discharge. 
Jacob,  his  brother,  in  the  same  company,  and  taken  sick  after  the  battle  of  Fredericks- 
burg,  being  sent  to  Alexander  hospital,  Va.  He  was  soon  after  sent  to  Point  Lookout  to 
do  light  duty,  but  on  account  of  sickness  he  was  given  a  furlough.  He  died  at  Washing 
ton,  on  his  way  home,  at  Armory  Square  hospital  of  typhoid  fever.  He  was  the  youngest 
of  the  family  and  never  married. 

His  wife's  brothers,  Israel,  Jr.,  and  Willard  Hunting,  served  in  the  Forty-fourth  and 
Twenty-ninth  Massachusetts  regiments,  respectively,  the  latter  being  captured  on  the  Wel- 
den  railroad  and  died  in  Salisbury  prison,  S.  C. 

"One  of  Company  K's  best,"  is  what  his  comrades  say  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
and  there  were  few,  if  any,  better  in  the  regiment. 


SERGT.   ENOCH   C.    PIPER. 

Gaxe  sadly  yet  proudly  upon  his  picture  for  his  name  is  on  the  "  Roll  of  Honor."  One  of 
the  three  sons  in  a  family  of  six  who  were  born  to  David  and  Sarah  (Haley)  Piper,  his 
birth  being  April  1,  1831.  He  was  of  Scotch  descent  and  his  blood  was  tinctured  with 
that  of  Robert  Bruce,  for  his  great-great-grandfather,  Thomas,  married  a  Bruce  of  the  royal 
family  and  coming  with  her  to  this  country,  settled  upon  a  grant  of  land  on  the  coast  of 
Maine,  then  known  as  "  Black  Point,"  at  or  near  where  the  city  of  Portland  now  is.  His 
grandfather  was  in  the  War  of  1812. 

In  all  the  principal  battles  but  one  to  Cold  Harbor,  w'hen  a  minie  ball  wound  in  his 
ankle  resulted  in  the  loss  of  his  leg  and  life.  Wounded  three  times  in  quick  succession,  in 
head,  shoulder,  and  hip,  at  Chancellorsville.  Died  in  Lincoln  hospital,  Washington,  and 
buried  in  Tuftonborough. 


CORP.  WILLIAM    B.   REXDAL 

Is  one  of  the  five  children  (one  daughter)  of  William  and  Mary  A.  (Blake)  Rendal,  who 
was  a  daughter  of  Elder  Daniel  A.  Blake.  William  B.  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wolfe- 
borough,  November  7,  1830.  His  brother,  Henry  B.,  served  in  the  Fifth  New  Hampshire 
Regiment  where  he  was  promoted  to  a  second  lieutenant,  but  had  to  resign  on  account  of 
lung  disease  of  which  he  died  at  Wolfeborough  Bridge,  but  a  few  miles  from  his  father's 
house,  and  only  a  few  days  after  the  subject  of  this  sketch  had  enlisted. 

He  was  in  Fredericksburg  and  also  in  Chancellorsville,  where  he  was  wounded  and 
reported  missing  (see  roster)  and  supposed  for  a  time  to  be  killed  or  taken  prisoner.  He 
rejoined  his  regiment  at  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  in  the  autumn  following  but  was  not  able 
to  enter  upon  the  campaign  the  next  spring  and  was  discharged. 

He  was  married  December  31,  1867,  to  Mary  S.  Wiggin  and  has  had  but  one  child) 
whose  name  is  Mabel  W. 

He  has  been  since  the  war  a  shoemaker  and  farmer  and  is  to-day  one  of  the  respected 
and  worthv  citizens  of  his  native  town. 


Hampshire  Volunteers. 


731 


II.   Bk.   D.    5- 
JAMES    MOULTOX, 


H.   A.   L.   5-9i. 
SERGT.   EXOCH    C.    PIPKR. 


II.    I).    L.   6-1. 
CORP.    WILLIAM    B.   RENDAL. 


732  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

CAPT.   EPHRAIM    W.    RICKER. 

Here  you  can  see  him  as  he  looked  about  twenty  years  of  age,  just  after  he  received 
his  commission  as  captain,  and  it  is  just  at  that  time  that  the  author  is  glad  to  introduce 
him  to  the  public  and  reproduce  him  to  his  old  comrades  who  will  gladly  greet  him  once 
again  as  of  yore.  He  is  a  native  of  Tuftonborough  ;  born  March  11,  184:2,  and  is  the  son 
of  William  and  Lucy  (Whitten)  Ricker,  who  had  seven  children,  of  whom  five  were  boys, 
and  one  of  his  daughters  married  Oscar  Home  (see  sketch). 

From  Wolfeborough  academy  he  followed  the  sound  of  the  fife  and  drum  into  the 
ranks  of  war,  where  he  fought  bravely  in  every  battle  of  his  regiment,  yet  •'  never  went  to  a 
surgeon's  call,  and  in  hospital  except  for  two  days  to  rest,"  as  written  by  his  own  truthful 
pen.  And  it  is  a  most  remarkable  record  yet  he  was  never  wounded  except  slightly  by 
spent  ball  at  Petersburg.  He  was  several  weeks  on  General  Steadman's  staff  at  Cold  Har 
bor,  and  during  the  advance  upon  and  Siege  of  Petersburg  ;  and  acted  as  assistant  provost 
marshal  a  while  at  Danville,  Va.  His  grandfathers  on  both  sides  were  in  former  wars  for 
the  country. 

For  eight  years  after  the  war,  he  was  employed,  most  of  the  time,  in  shoe  manufac 
turing  and  active  in  the  meantime  as  a  Christian  worker,  being  converted  when  but  nine 
years  of  age. 

He  was  married  July  16,  1865,  to  Clara  A.,  daughter  of  a  Mr.  Hurd,  of  Dover,  and  has 
two  children,  Herbert  L.  and  Gracie  H. 

June  3,  1873,  he  was  ordained  at  Alton,  as. a- minister  of  the. Free  Will  Baptist  church, 
preaching  at  Alton,  Dover,  Lakeport,  Providence,  R.  I.,  and  Haverhill,  Mass.,  where  he 
now  lives. 

It  should  be  said  of  him,  as  most  of  all  to  his  credit,  that  he  was  a  poor  boy,  and  his 
highly  honorable  record  as  a  patriot  and  a  Christian  is  owing  to  his  own  unaided  efforts. 
There  is  but  little  danger  of  saying  too  much  in  praise  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and 
may  he  long  live  to  fight  with  the  resistless  power  of  the  Word,  as  he  once  fought  witli  the 
gun  and  sword,  for  humanity  and  Christian  liberty. 


CAPT.  JEREMIAH  SAXHORN. 

This  officer  enlisted  under  the  name  of  George  Pickering,  from  the  town  of  Tufton 
borough,  August  28,  1862,  and  served  until  his  final  discharge,  June  21,  18tJ5. 

He  was  born  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  in  the  year  1839,  and  enlisted  as  private  but  wore  the 
captain's  insignia  before  his  discharge.  For  his  line  of  promotions  see  roster. 

His  residence,  when  last  heard  from,  was  Philadelphia,  Penn.  He  was  an  active, 
efficient,  and  brave  officer. 


JAMES    II .   SEAVEY 

Was  born  in  Tuftonborough,  in  1844,  and  is  the  son  of  James  C.  and  Esther  E.  (Hooper) 
Seavey. 

He  was  married  September  19,  1867,  to  Jennie  Fernal,  of  his  native  town.  Xo  chil 
dren.  His  grandfather,  Hooper,  was  a  veteran  of  1812. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Swift  Creek,  Petersburg, 
Cemetery  Hill,  and  Capture  of  Richmond,  and  in  Fort  Harrison,  when  serving  as  sharp 
shooter,  and  was  one  who  helped  take  the  fort.  He  was  one  of  the  best  shots  in  the  regi 
ment  when  hunting  rebel  game  and  has  and  even  now  goes  out  and  shows  the  boys  how  to 
make  a  hole  through  the  pupil  of  a  "  bull's-eye  "  at  a  single  squint.  He  is  seen  here  in  the 
uniform  of  one  of  the  Boston  keen-sighted  "  Independent  "  companies  of  several  years 
ago. 

He  has  for  a  long  time  been  engaged  in  making  paper  boxes  in  Boston,  Mass. 


JVezv  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


733 


II.    B.    L.    5-IO. 
CAPT.    EPHRAIM    W.    RICKEH. 


G.    B.   L.   5-7i. 
CAPT.  JEREMIAH    SANBORX. 


B.    LB.    L. 
JAMES    H.   SEAVEY. 


734  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

FRANKLIN   STUART. 

Born  at  Alton,  December  11,  1836.  Died  at  Falmouth,  Va.,  May  27,  1863.  Oldest 
son  of  Charles  and  Jane  (Piper)  Stuart,  and  his  grandfather  was  in  War  of  1812. 

Married  to  Emily  H.  Mclntire,  of  Tuf  ton  borough,  November  25,  1859,  and  left  three 
children,  Ida  M.  (Mudgett),  John  E.,  and  Alice  C.  (Wallace). 

By  the  decree  of  fate  and  not  from  his  desire  does  his  name  not  appear  on  the  battle 
call  roll  of  his  regiment,  except  at  Fredericksburg  when,  or  on  the  "  mud  march  "  that  fol 
lowed,  he  doubtless  contracted  the  disease  of  which  he  died.  In  the  diary  of  one  of  his 
comrades  he  is  .spoken  of  as  a  good  soldier  and  much  lamented  by  the  company. 


CAPT.   BENJAMIN   B.    THOMPSON. 

Of  all  the  Thompsons  of  the  Twelfth,  and  there  were  seven,  this  was  the  strangest  one 
of  all.  In  fact,  he  was  sui  generis  in  his  subcranial  organization,  and  in  some  respects  he 
had  not  his  match  in  the  regiment.  "  I  went  out  with  the  rest  of  the  boys,"  as  he  once 
said,  "  but  went  where  I  pleased  after  I  got  there,"  which  was  strictly  true ;  and  the  rebel 
picket  line  was  not  the  boundary  of  his  perambulations  either.  He  went  to  Richmond  with 
about  the  same  ease  that  he  did  to  Washington,  and  is  said  to  have  acted  as  a  Union  spy. 
Although  with  the  regiment  from  the  start  he  did  not  enlist  in  it  until  the  spring  of  1861, 
and  about  a  year  later  was  discharged  and  commissioned  captain  in  Company  I,  Eighteenth 
Regiment,  where  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

Since  then  he  has  been  nearly  everywhere  and  into  almost  everything,  and  no  one  of 
his  relations  or  former  acquaintances  can  tell  where  he  has  been,  what  he  has  been  doing, 
or  whether  he  is  now  living  or  dead. 

In  most  or  all  battles  of  regiment  (as  believed)  while  a  regular  member  thereof,  and 
his  capture  at  Bermuda  Hundred  and  escape  from  Libby  prison*  was  little  more  than  an 
amusing  episode  in  the  strange  drama  of  his  life,  for  rebel  walls  and  guards  had  but  little 
terror  for  him.  Though  fickle  fortune  might  play  false  and  betray  him,  his  natural  tact 
and  shrewdness  quickly  come  to  his  rescue,  and  seldom,  if  ever,  in  vain.  Obstacles  seem 
ingly  insurmountable  to  others  were  trifling  hindrances  to  him;  for  rcniam  riam  aut  fac- 
iam  was  something  more  than  a  sophomoric  star-pointer  in  his  classics. 

A  few  of  the  many  anecdotes  about  him  have  been  already  written  in  this  history. f 
Death,  it  is  feared,  has  got  the  better  of  him  at  last,  but  hardly  any  of  his  surviving  com 
rades  can  be  made  to  fully  believe  it,  though  he  has  not  been  seen  or  heard  from  for 
several  years. 


MOSES   F.   THOMPSON. 

"  The  boy  is  the  father  of  the  man."  The  bright,  brave,  and  ambitious  youth  will,  in 
spite  of  fortune  and  almost  fate,  find  himself  at  the  flood-tide  of  his  manhood,  standing,  self- 
reliantly  independent  at  the  helm  of  success.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  an  example. 
Though  cut  down  in  middle  age  by  that  dread  disease,  diphtheria,  which  at  the  same  time 
took  from  the  widowed  mother  three  of  five  children,  he  had  succeeded  in  accumulating 
an  ample  life  competency  for  the  loved  ones  left,  and  established  a  reputation  of  being  one 
of  the  most  successful  business  men  ever  raised  in  his  native  town,  where  he  first  opened  a 
store  soon  after  the  war. 

He  first  enlisted  and  would  have  gone  out  in  the  Fifth  Regiment  had  not  his  father 
objected,  but  when  the  Twelfth  was  raised,  finding  he  was  bound  to  go  anyway,  his  father 
consented  rather  than  have  him  run  away.  He  was  then  but  half  way  through  his  "teens" 
and  so  small  of  his  age  that  Larkin  D.  Mason,  a  friend  of  the  family,  was  surprised  to  find 
him  one  day  in  the  ranks  at  the  front,  and  asked  him  how  he  ever  got  the  consent  of  his 
father.  "  By  making  him  believe  that  I  knew  more  about  war  than  he  did,  and  I  guess  I 
do  now,"  was  the  witty  reply.  His  mother,  speaking  of  him,  said  while  wiping  the  tears 
from  her  eyes :  "He  was  a  good,  happy  dispositioned  boy,  and  always  brim  full  of  frolic 
and  fun." 

*See  page  4GO,  et  seq.  tSee  pages  397  and  402. 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


735 


B.    DB.    D.   5-. 
FHANKI.IN    STUART. 


DB.   DB.   D.   5-8. 
CAPT.   BENJAMIN    B.   THOMPSON. 


B.   LB.   I..  5-1  I. 
MOSES    F.   THOMPSON. 


73^  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

In  several  battles,  eight  or  nine  (as  believed),  and  came  home  with  his  regiment  at  the 
close  of  the  war,  which  is  all  that  need  be  said  of  his  merits  as  a  soldier. 

One  of  six  children,  three  boys  and  three  girls,  and  born  May  20,  1846.  His  grand 
father  carne  from  Deerfield  and  settled  in  Wolfeborongh,  in  1802  or  3,  and  his  great-great 
grandfather,  David,  was  the  first  settler  (as  believed)  in  the  state,  being  sent  over  by  the 
English  government  on  official  business  connected  with  the  harbor  at  Portsmouth. 

He  had  attended  high  school  at  home,  and  commenced  school  for  a  time  at  Concord. 

Married  to  Abbie  H.,  daughter  of  George  W.  Hersey,  of  Wolfeborough,  December  28, 
1870.  Children,  Lester  H.,  Guy  M.,  Dana  M.,  Helen  A.,  and  Edith  ;  the  first  and  third  living. 
Removed  with  his  family  to  Minnesota  in  the  spring  of  188:5. 

His  father  and  mother,  Moses  and  Hannah  M.  (Rust),  are  still  living  and  relate  many 
amusing  incidents  of  his  youth. 

BYT.    LIEUT.  JACOB    B.    TUTTLE. 

"  Fortune  favors  the  brave,"  indeed,  else  the  soldier  here  introduced  to  the  reader 
would  not  be  able  to  truthfully  say  that  he  was  in  every  battle  and  skirmish  of  the  regi 
ment,  but  was  never  seriously  wounded.  At  Chaiicellorsville  a  bullet  glanced  from  his  gun 
striking  his  side  with  sufficient  force  to  penetrate  and  break  all  but  two  or  three  leaves  of 
a  diary  in  his  coat  pocket,  bend  into  saucer  shape  a  silver  quarter  and  a  copper  cent  in  his 
wallet  that  he  then  carried  in  a  pocket  in  his  shirt,  and  disabled  him  for  several  davs. 

He  is  the  fifth  of  the  eight  children  of  Jacob  and  Martha  (Bracket)  Tuttle,  and  was 
born  in  Effingham,  August  24,  1839.  Two  of  his  three  brothers,  Hiram  O.  and  Joseph  D., 
were  in  the  New  Hampshire  Heavy  Artillery ;  the  latter  dying  in  the  service  from  acciden 
tal  wound.  Hiram  O.  also  served  three  months  in  a  Massachusetts  regiment. 

Married  Hattie  C.  Hall  (deceased),  of  Franklin,  July  6,  1873  ;  and  again  to  Sarah  A. 
Granville,  of  Detroit,  Mich.,  with  whom  he  is  now  living.  His  only  child,  Fred  II.,  was 
by  his  first  wife. 

He  received  commissions  as  first  and  second  lieutenant,  and  although  too  late  to  be 
mustered  in  as  such,  they  were  none  the  less  nobly  earned  and  richly  merited. 

No  higher  praise  can  or  need  be  given  him  than  what  is  above  written.  "  In  every 
battle  and  skirmish  of  the  regiment ;"  yet  we  can  not  forbear  to  add  in  conclusion,  that 
from  first  corporal,  when  he  left  the  state,  to  first  lieutenant,  when  he  returned,  he  was 
always  the  same  true  and  brave  soldier,  and  that  he  is  one  of  those  whose  heroic  record 
should  be  as  lasting  as  their  country's  history. 


SKRGT.  WILLIAM    WALLACE,  JR. 

This  soldier  stands  very  near  the  head  of  the  list  of  those  who  did  the  most  to  give 
his  regiment  a  name  and  fame  second  to  none. 

In  every  battle,  march,  and  skirmish,  except  Capture  of  Richmond,  when  lie  was 
obliged  to  yield  to  disease  and  go  to  hospital.  Wounded  slightly  at  Cold  Harbor  by  minie 
ball  striking  rib  on  left  side  and  glancing  off. 

He  is  of  Scotch-Irish  and  Indian  descent  and  no  better  fighting  blood  ever  ran  in  the 
veins  of  any  bearer  of  the  broad  sword,  spear,  or  bow,  not  excepting  the  great  warrior 
whose  name  he  bears.  He  is  the  oldest  of  the  ten  children  of  William  and  Julia  A.  (Starke) 
Wallace  ;  one  of  his  five  brothers,  Charles,  was  a  member  of  Company  I,  Sixth  New  Hamp 
shire  Volunteers,  and  died  at  Hatteras  Inlet,  N.  C.,  February  15,  1862.  Born  at  ^Vent- 
worth,  May  31,  1840. 

Married  February  7,  1867,  to  Hannah  B.,  daughter  of  James  Burbeck,  of  Campton. 
No  children. 

He  helped  save  the  colors  at  Cold  Harbor  and  carried  them  after  that  until  near  the 
end  of  the  war.*  He  was  at  home  on  a  sick  furlough  when  the  regiment  was  discharged, 
and  so  much  did  he  think  of  his  brave  comrades  and  the  old  battle  flag  that  he  had  carried 
so  long,  that  despite  the  protest  of  his  physician,  and  the  earnest  entreaties  of  his  relatives 
and  friends  to  heed  his  advice,  he  arose  from  a  sick  bed,  and  rode  in  carriage  and  cars, 
thirty  or  forty  miles  to  meet  and  greet  them  upon  their  arrival  in  Concord. 

Occupation,  a  farmer.  The  picture  of  him  is  from  one  taken  purposely  for  this  history, 
twenty-five  years  or  more  after  the  war. 

*  See  pages  206  and  377. 


JVeiv  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


737 


G.  B.  F.  5-1  1. 
BVT.  I.IKTT.  JACOB  B.  TUTTLE. 


B.  B.  D.  5-7. 
SERGT.  WIM.IAM  WALLACE,  JR. 


47 


738  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

SERGT.   CHARLES   A.    WARREN. 

Youngest  son  of  George  W.  and  Mary  F.  (Allard)  Warren,  and  born  in  Wolfeborough, 
August  15,  1835.  His  great-grandfather,  George  Warren,  who  was  the  uncle  of  Gen. 
Joseph  Warren,  was  a  major  musician  in  the  Revolution  and  served  through  the  whole 
war. 

Married  February  6,  1856,  to  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Young,  of  Wolfeborough, 
who  was  a  member  of  the  Fifth  New  Hampshire  and  wounded  at  Fair  Oaks.  Children. 
George  B.  and  Charles  F. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Siege  of  Petersburg, 
and  also  Bermuda  Hundred,  where  he  was  taken  prisoner  and  confined  in  Libby  prison 
until  exchanged  (see  roster).  At  Gettysburg  he  was  one  of  the  color  guard  and  wounded 
in  left  leg. 

This  soldier  was  a  descendent  of  a  very  distinguished  and  patriotic  ancestry,  and  his 
own  good  service,  for  nearly  three  years  for  his  country,  on  some  of  the  bloodiest  battle 
fields  of  the  Rebellion,  has  shown  that  the  same  heroic  blood  Hows  in  his  veins. 


JOHN   A.   WIGGIN. 

And  still  they  come ;  for  here  you  see  the  face  of  another  who  deserves  recognition  by 
the  survivors  of  the  "  dirty  dozen."  He  is  a  good  "  boy"  still,  though  February  24, 1898,  will 
be  the  last  day  of  three  score  years  since  his  birth.  He  is  a  double-twisted  lineal  thread, 
for  he  is  the  only  child  of  Thomas  J.  and  Susan  P.  (Wiggin)  Wiggin,  both  of  Tuf ton- 
borough. 

Married  Abby,  daughter  of  Stephen  Bickford,  of  Ossipee,  August  22,  1858.  Children, 
Augusta  M.,  Ralph  H.,  Carrie  G.,  Susan  A.,  and  Frank,  the  three  last  named  now  living. 

Occupation,  a  farmer. 

In  Chancellorsville,  Swift  Creek,  Relay  House,  Drury's  Bluff,  Port  Walthall,  Cold  Har 
bor,  not  in  charge,  and  part  of  Siege  of  Petersburg.  Wounded  twice  at  Chancellorsville, 
by  pistol  shot  and  minie  ball,  at  about  the  same  time  and  in  nearly  the  same  place  on  his 
left  arm.  Severely  wounded  in  the  left  shoulder  at  Siege  of  Petersburg,  disabling  him  from 
further  service  in  support  of  the  cause  that  he  had  so  long  and  bravely  defended, 

"Always  willing  5hd  ready,"  says  one  of  his  comrades,  referring  to  his  conduct  as  a 
soldier,  and  the  same  can  be  truthfully  said  of  him  concerning  deeds  of  kindness  and 
hospitality,  by  his  neighbors  and  acquaintances. 


LEVI   H.   WIGGIN. 

The  first  born  and  only  son  of  Woodbury  L.  and  Mary  W.  (Hersey)  Wiggin,  who  had 
four  daughters.  Enlisted  on  his  nineteenth  birthday,  August  18,  1862.  As  may  be  said 
of  a  great  majority  of  the  original  members  of  the  regiment,  he  was  the  son  of  a  farmer 
and  brought  up  to  till  the  soil. 

In  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  and  Wapping  Heights. 
Not  wounded  but  had  his  blanket  roll  cut  half  in  two  upon  his  shoulder  by  pistol  shot  at 
Fredericksburg.  Discharged  by  reason  of  sickness  at  Hamilton  hospital,  Fortress  Monroe, 
Va. 

Married  Anna  M.  Jewell,  of  Clinton,  Mass.,  March  17,  1872.  Children,  Evalina  J., 
Clara  A.,  Pearley  H.  W.,  and  Warren. 

Carpenter  since  the  war,  and  resident,  most  of  the  time,  of  Clinton  and  Worcester 
(present  address),  Mass.  There  are  no  dark  lines  in  his  record  as  a  soldier  or  citizen. 


Nezv  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


739 


B.   D.    L.   5-5f 
SERGT.    CHARLES    A.    WARREN. 


DH.   B.   F.   5-1  I. 
JOHN    A.   W1GGIN, 


History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 

WINSOR   P.  HUNTRESS. 
COMPANY  B. 

This  noble  youth,  the  tallest  man  in  his  company,  was  one  of  eight  children  (four  boys) 
of  Noah  C.  and  Sally  (Gowen)  Huntress,  and  was  born  in  Barnstead,  April  26,  1841. 

He  fought  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  and  was  killed  at  Chancellorsville,  being 

shot  through  the  head.* 

His  mother  who  greatly  lamented  his  death  always  spoke  of  him  as  a  good  and  duti 
ful  son.  Another  son  by  the  name  of  Henry  was  also  in  the  service.  Both  brother  and 
mother  deceased  recently. 


GEORGE   H.  FOWLER. 

The  oldest  and  only  son,  now  living,  of  Dr.  Fowler,  for  whom  he  acted  as  private 
orderly  in  the  war,  in  which  he  served  as  such  for  two  and  one  half  years. 

He  was  fourteen  years  of  age  when  he  went  out  with  his  father.  Now  a  resident 
apothecary  of  Bristol.  He  was  the  adopted  son  of  the  regiment, 


WOODBURY   SAXBORX. 

Although  not  an  enlisted  man,  he  was,  unlike  sutlers  generally,  so  pleasantly  identified 
from  first  to  last  with  the  regiment  and  personally  with  its  membership,  he  certainly 
deserves  a  place  among  the  boys  he  so  long  served.  By  his  interest  in  their  welfare  he 
endeared  himself  to  them  all.f 

He  was  born  in  Gilford,  December  20,  1822,  and  died  at  Chelsea,  Mass.,  June  b,  ]! 

Was  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Ruth  (Carter)  Sanborn,  and  married  at  Xottingham  to 
Eliza  W.  Bartlett,  December  13,  1844.  His  children  were  Charles  C.  and  Marcellus  B. 
Their  mother  died  December  24,  1893. 

*  See  page  79.  t  See  pages  334  and  337. 


JVcu>  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


741 


G.  B.    I..   6-2. 
WINSOR    P.    HUNTRESS. 


...      .>. 


GEORGE    II.   FOWLER. 


\VOODBt'RY    SANBORX. 


742 


History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 
UNKNOWN. 


COMPANY    E. 


COMPANY    K. 


In  engraving  and  numbering  the  pictures  in  this  book,  the  names  of 
the  above  soldiers  were  lost,  and  all  efforts  of  the  author  to  assert  their 
identity  have  been  futile  ;  but  whether  living  or  dead  it  is  not  known. 


XX 


CONCLUSION. 


ROLL    OF    HONOR. 


CHAPLAIN  THOMAS  L.  AMBROSE. 


COMPANY  A. 


COLBATH,  BENJAMIN  F. 
DONAHUE,  MARTIN. 
ELLSWORTH,  GEORGE  W. 
OILMAN,  CHARLES  M. 
JONES,  ALBERT  D. 
JONES,  JAMES  M. 
JOY,  CHRISTOPHER  C. 
KELLY,  JOHN  L. 
KINGMAN,  SULLIVAN. 
MCCARGAR,  JAMES. 
McCoRMiCK,  JACOB. 
MILLER,  STEPHEN. 


BERRY,  WILLIAM   II. 
BUNKER,  JOSEPH  N. 
DOCKHAM,  JOSEPH  E. 
FLANDERS,  IRA  M. 
HILL,  JOSEPH  W. 
HUNTRESS,  WINSOR   P. 
JANVRIN,  GEORGF,  A. 
JONES,  ALMON  1). 
KNIGHT,  AVILLIAM   T. 
LINTNER,  J.  HENRY. 


BABBITT,  ANDREW. 
BEAUREGARD,  CLODOMIR. 
BERRY,  ALBERT  H. 
BRIGGS,  NATHANIEL. 
BROWN,  SAMUEL. 
BROWN,  HENRY. 
BROWN,  JOHN. 
CHENEY,  CHARLES  W. 


PEAVEY,  JOSEPH  D. 
PINKHAM,  DANIEL  J. 
PLACE,  COGSWELL  J. 
RANDALL,  JOHN  F. 
ROLLINS,  ELISHA  E. 
SAVAGE,  MOSES  H. 
SMITH,  GEORGE  W. 
STRAW,  JAMES  M. 
STRUNK,  ISAAC. 
TUTTLE,  JOSEPH. 
WATSON,  WILLIAM  P. 
WENTWORTH,  JACOB  S. 


COMPANY  B. 


MARDEX,  CHARLES  II. 
McKEN/iE,  ALBERT. 
MUNSEY,  GEORGE  F. 
NICKSON,  HENRY  II. 
PERKINS,  WILLIAM  II. 
PERKINS,  PELEG  1). 
PIERCE,  THOMAS  J. 
PITMAN,  CALVIN  D. 
SMITH,  HORACE  II. 
THOMPSON,  SYLVESTER  E 


COMPANY   C. 


EMMONS,  GUSTAVIS. 
FARNHAM,  CHARLES   VV. 
FELLOWS,  HENRY  A. 
HOLT,  CALEB   H. 
PIPER,  SEWELL  W. 
TAYLOR,  CHARLES  H. 
YERBEE,  JOHN. 


744 


History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


COMPANY  I). 


BROWN,  GEORGE. 
BUZZELL,  HENRY  C. 
CHAPMAN,  AUGUSTUS  L. 
FOWLER,  FRANK  G. 
HALL,  ADNA  M. 
HARRINGTON,  DANIEL  B. 
HICKEY,  PATRICK  H. 
HODGE,  JOHN  G. 
KIDDER,  HENRY  R. 


BAKER,  WASHINGTON  I. 
BROWN,  CHARLES. 
BROWN,  EDWIN  E. 
CHEENEY,  SAMUEL  T. 
DALEY,  JOHN. 
Dow,  JOHN  M. 
DOWNING,  JONATHAN  T. 
GAULT,  SAMUEL. 
HOWE,  WILLIAM  J. 


BENNETT,  CHARLES  A. 
BLACK,  CHARLES. 
BROWHST,  TRUE  C. 
DIETZE,  FREDERICK  W. 
EDMONT,  JOHN. 
EMERY,  CHARLES  S. 
FRENCH,  HENRY  A.  L. 
H  AMULET,  LYMAN  A. 
HAYNES,  GEORGE. 


ARNETT,  JOHN. 
DALTON,  THOMAS. 
GALE,  REUBEN. 
GILMAN,  JOHN. 
GRANT,  NAHUM  B. 
HOLMES,  CHARLES  P. 
O'CONNOR,  JAMES. 
PRESCOTT,  ABNER  H. 


BAILEY,  JOHN. 
BEAN,  MERRILL  S. 
GATE,  CHARLES  A. 
COTTON,  CHARLES. 
DUNN,  GORHAM  P. 
ELLIOTT,  HIRAM. 
GORDON,  JOSIAII  F. 
HILL,  JOHN  AV. 
HOUSTON,  ADIN  M. 


KNOWLTON,  FRANK. 
LEAVITT,  JONATHAN  E. 
MARTIN,  AVILLIAM  S. 
NELSON,  DAN  P. 
PARKER,  LUTHER  II . 
SANBORN,  BENJAMIN  F. 
SMITH,  CHARLES  G. 
SWAIN,  GEORGE  W. 
AViLsoN,  GKORGE. 


COMPANY  E. 


HUGHES,  GEOKGK  K. 
HUNTRESS,  JAMES  S. 
JKWETT,  OLOF  L. 
KEMPTON,  JAMES  M. 
KEYES,  ORLANDO  W. 
MATTHIAS,  KUDOLF. 
MEIER,  A\"ILLIAM. 
TAYLOR,  JOHN. 

TOBLER,  JoIIAXN     A. 


COMPANY  F. 


KELLEY,  EDWIN  A. 
KELLEY,  RICHARD. 
KELLEY,  DENNIS. 
MASON,  CHARLES  F. 
MARSTON,  JEKEMIAH. 
MAXKIELD,  ALFRED  AV 
MERRILL,  JOHN  B. 
REYNOLDS,  GKORGE  H. 
SMITH,  EDWARD. 


COMPANY  G. 


SHELDON,  CHARLES  S. 
SMITH,  HENRY  J. 
SMITH,  GEORGE  H. 
WEBBER,  DANIEL  II. 
WFNTWORTH.  JOSEPH  F. 
WHITTIKR,  ANDREW  H. 
WHITTIER,  JOSEPH   K. 
AVoRTii,  WILLIAM   B. 


COMPANY  II. 


KELLY,  CHARLES  T. 
LEHIFF,  JOHN. 
LEIGHTON,  A\'ESLF.Y. 
MURRAY,  JAMES. 
PERCIVAL,  FRANCIS  L 
PRESCOTT,  HORACE. 
SANBORN,  DAVID  S. 
SAWYER,  JEREMIAH   F 
AA^ALLACE,  ORRIN  F. 


J\retv  Hampshire   Volunteers. 


745 


COMPANY  I. 


BROWN,  GKORGE  L. 
BKYANT,  WILLIAM  O. 
CLAY,  JOHN  P. 
CHAM,  GKOKGK  S. 
DOLLOFF,  JOHN  S.  S. 
FORSAITH,  ROBERT. 
FREDERICK,  CHARLES. 
HAM,  WILLIAM  P. 
HAWKINS,  JAMES. 
HAWKINS,  WILLIAM  II. 


CASEY,  PATRICK  O. 
EAMES,  HOMER. 
ELLSWORTH,  THOMAS  J. 
HOBBS,  CAREY. 
INGKLBURG,  MONS. 
LEARY,  DANIEL. 


KOHLMANN,  CHARLES. 
MALOON,  WALTER  G. 
MILLER,  Louis. 
PIPER,  BENJAMIN  G. 
PLAISTED,  HORACE  S. 
ROGERS,  WILLIAM  H. 
SHAW,  DANIEL. 
SMITH,  GILMAN. 
TWOMBLY,  DANIEL  G.  W 
WALLIS,  JOSEPH. 


COMPANY  K. 


MOULTON,  RUSSELL. 
PIPER,  ENOCH  C. 
SMITH,  JAMES  F. 
SULLIVAN,  CHARLES. 
THOMPSON,  JOHN  M. 
TIBBETTS,  JAMES  E. 


746  History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


CO    I-H    •*    O    <M    GO    i— I     \    ,-1 
•-H  i— i    CM  I    i— I 

.-i  I  m 


CO 

&&  CO 


O    CM  CM 


in 
W 

h 

5 


Q      a 


w 


o 
u 


CQ 

r>          »— i  o  m        c:  .— i  •— i  <M 


eg      eo  co   co  — i   -H  CM   CM 


fe 

O        < 

r"1 

CO         o  -  ?c      Tf  2 

i— i  ^  3         o>    S 

*_^,        flj"  r—-  -*^  rrt       r^ 

i?~       .%>  ^  — -       82  ="  a  .S 

-5    «    k«  Cfl  ^  i    s^    o-£Ka 

rf,       ;_       gO  HH       jj       r-     ^^2p~  ^o  ^~ 

"^—    3sjc?3^'Wr^3^'^cs  ^ 

ll^l^l-e.ia^fl  §    2 
1  II||I>I>«2|1§|  ' 

tHj3aj>>.^a)t,oo.Sa>(i;)t8 
^OO^^tfGCiHOcoOPHO 


New  Hampshire  Volunteers. 


747 


COMPARATIVE    TABLE    OF    LOSS    IN    NEW    HAMPSHIRE 

REGIMENTS. 


Twelfth 

Third 

Fifth 

Seventh 
Eleventh 
Ninth 
Sixth 


INCLUDING    ORIGINAL    MEMBERS    AND    RECRUITS. 


12.3  per  cent. 

11.1 

11.1 

8.6 

8.2         " 


Thirteenth 

Second 

Eighth 

Fourth 

Tenth  . 

Fourteenth 

Fifteenth 


7.1  per  cent. 

7.0 

6.2 

5.5        " 

5.0 

4.8 

3.3 


The  above  table  of  killed  and  mortally  wounded,  compiled  from  the 
adjutant-general's  official  report,  speaks  for  itself,  and  would  reflect  still 
greater  credit  upon  the  Twelfth  was  the  actual  time  of  service  of  the 
different  regiments  taken  into  account. 


748 


History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


GREATEST    LOSS    BY   ANY   NEW    HAMPSHIRE    REGIMENT 
IN   ITS    TWO    LARGEST    BATTLES. 


KILLED    AND    MORTALLY    WOUNDED. 


\  Chancellorsville,  72 
|  Cold  Harbor,        63 

f  Fredericksburg,  57 
I  Cold  Harbor,       46 


(  Fort  Wagner,  77  ) 
I  Olustee,  25  J" 

(  Gettysburg,  47  ) 
I  Bull  Run,     36  J 

\  Hull  Run,  66  \ 

{  Fredericksburg,  13  \ 

\  Spottsylvania,  55  ) 

~\  Mine  at  Petersburg,  23  \ 


\  Drury's  Bluff,  49 
(  Secessionville,  26 

j  Opequan,        54  ) 
\  Cedar  Creek,  12) 


135 

103 
102 
83 
79 
78 
75 
66 


Twelfth. 

Fifth      . 
Seventh 
Second    . 
Sixth      . 
Ninth     . 
Third     . 
Fourteenth     . 
Eleventh 
Eighth   . 
Thirteenth 
Fourth    . 
Tenth     . 
Fifteenth 


From  the  following  facts,  in  addition  to  what  has  already  been 
written,  the  reader  may  get  a  better  idea  of  what  the  Twelfth  suffered  at 
Chancellorsville. 

As  is  generally  known,  the  Third  Corps  in  this  battle  received,  and 
for  a  long  time  withstood,  the  heaviest  shocks  of  the  rebel  army  in  Lee's 
and  Jackson's  combined  efforts  to  defeat  Hooker  ;  and  that  its  losses  were 
nearly  double  those  of  any  other  corps  and  more  than  one  third  that  of 
the  whole  army.  Yet,  of  the  whole  number  of  the  killed  and  wounded, 
the  Twelfth  Regiment,  alone,  lost  more  than  either  of  them,  and  nearly 
as  many  as  any  one  of  five,  of  the  nine  brigades  in  the  corps,  though 


^  Fredericksburg,  40  > 
(  Mine  Explosion,  22  J 

62 

5  Port  Hudson,  29  > 
|  Port  Hudson,  25  > 

54 

j  Cold  Harbor,      22  ) 
\  Fort  Harrison,  15  j 

37 

5  Drury's  Bluff,        17  > 

30 

(  Petersburg  Mine,  13  ( 

j  Cold  Harbor,    20  ( 
(  Fort  Harrison,  9  \ 

29 

(  Port  Hudson,  17  > 
\  Port  Hudson,    2  J 

19 

New  Hampshire   Volunteers.  749 

most  of  them  contained  five  and  six  regiments  each  ;  while  in  its  own 
brigade,  which  suffered  greater  loss  than  any  other,  but  one,  in  the 
whole  corps,  it  had  within  two  of  four  times  as  many  killed  and  wounded 
as  one  of  the  other  two  regiments,  and  one  more  than  eleven  times  as 
many  as  the  other,  or  lacking  but  seven  of  three  times  as  many  as  both 
together. 

The  foregoing  statements  and  comparisons  are  taken  from  the  records 
of  the  War  Department  at  Washington,  as  lately  revised  and  corrected 
for  publication,  and  does  not  take  into  consideration  the  fifty  or  more  of 
the  Twelfth  who  were  slightly  wounded  —  some  of  them  severely  —  of 
whom  no  report  was  ever  made. 


"THE   NEW    HAMPSHIRE    MOUNTAINEERS," 

As  this  regiment  was  sometimes  called,*  were  remarkable  for  their  size 
and  height,  the  average  height  being  over  five  feet  and  eight  inches,  or 
more  exactly,  68.633-)-  inches.  Of  one  hundred  men,  eight  were  six- 
feet  and  two  inches  ;  five  lacked  only  one  fourth  of  an  inch  of  being  six- 
feet  two  inches  ;  twenty-eight  ranged  from  six  feet  and  one  half  an  inch 
to  six  feet  one  and  three  fourths  inches,  and  sixty  more  were  just  six- 
feet  each. 

*See  page  21,  Chapter  II. 


ADDENDA  AND  ERRATA. 


Additional  facts  about  many  members  of  Company  F,  and  concerning  Rev.  Joseph 
Harvey,  of  Pittsfield,  who  was  greatly  interested  in  their  welfare  and  was  the  means  of 
saving  the  lives  of  several  of  them,  can  be  found  in  Robinson's  '-History  of  Pittsfield, 
N.  H.,  in  the  Great  Rebellion." 

Page  484. —  Doctor  Sanborn's  grandfather  was  at  West  Point  when  Arnold  betrayed  it  to 
the  enemy. 

Page  518. —  Rufus  E.  Gale's  only  child,  Fitzerwin,  died  soon  after  the  war. 


Page    35. —  "  Washington  "  should  read  Warrenton  on  fifteenth  line. 

"  Washington"  should  read  Warrenton  on  twenty-third  line. 

Page  253. —  "  Fourth  Corps  "  should  read  Twenty-fourth  Cor/is. 

Page  438. —  "  Sergeant  Collins  "  should  read  Corporal  Collins. 

Page  451. —  "Company  E"  should  read  Company  G. 

Page  489.—  Read  Sergeant  before  "  Orlando  F.  Davis." 

Page  554. —  "Grandson  of  Josiah  "  should  read  Great-grandson  of  Lei-i. 

Page  571.—  Under  Charles  M.  Brown's  name  (i-0  instead  of  -  (i-5." 

Page  622.—  "  Charles  A.  Kelley  "  should  read  Charles  H. 
"  George  F.  Lane  "  should  read  Charles  F. 

Page  678.— Cyrus     P.    Dow    born    in    March    instead   of    "Any  list";     Florist    instead   of 
"  Machinist." 

Page  681.— In  Henry  E.  Emery's  descriptive  list  "P"  should  read  B. 


/IBBRC-YIATIO.NS. 


A.  A.  G. Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

A.  C Army  Corps. 

Adjt Adjutant. 

A.  G.  ().-.....     Adjutant-General's  Office 

App Appointed. 

Appreh. Apprehended. 

A.  Q.  M Assistant  Quartermaster. 

Art Artillery. 

Asst Assistant. 

B.  (b.)  .   ' Born. 

Batt'l Battalion. 

B.  H Boston  Harbor. 

Brig Brigade,  Brigadier. 

Bvt .  Brevet. 

Capt Captain. 

Captd Captured. 

Cav Cavalry. 

Co.          ......  Company. 

Col Colonel/ 

Com Commissary,  Commission. 

Com'd    ......  Commissioned. 

Corp.  .         .  Corporal. 

Cred Credited  to. 

Commissary  of  Subsistance. 
Department. 

Des Deserted. 

Dis-        ......  Disease. 

Disab Disability. 

Disch Discharged. 

Dishon Dishonorably. 

l^v Division. 

Enl-        •  ....  Enlisted. 

Exch Exchanged. 

F-  a"d  S.       .  .  Field  and  Staff. 

G-  C.  M General  Court  Martial. 

Gd.  from  mis Gained  from  missing. 

Gen General. 

«••  O General  Orders. 

Ifeavy. 

H°sp Hospital. 

I-  C Invalid  Corps. 

Inf-        •        •        •        .        .        .  Infantry. 

L-  •        *        •        .        .        .  Light. 

Lt"          •••...  Lieutenant. 

MaJ-       ...  .        .  Major. 

^*s-        •••...  Missing. 


752 


History  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment 


Miscl.     . 

M.  o.  roll.       . 

Muse.     . 

Must.     . 

N.  f.  r.  A.  G.  O. 

N.  Y.  H. 

Xon-com. 

Ord.  Seaman. 

Par. 

P.  O.  ad. 

Prin.       . 

Priv.       . 

Prom.    . 

Q.  M.     . 

Re-enl. 

Regt.      . 

Res. 

Sergt.     . 

Sev. 

S.  O.       . 

Surg.      . 

Tm.  ex. 

Tr. 

U.  S.  A. 

Unas'd  . 

U.  S.  C.  T.     . 

U.  S.  S. 

U.  S.  Sig.  Corps 

U.  S.  S.  S.      . 

V. 

V.  R.  C. 

Wd.       . 

Wds. 


Miscellaneous. 

Muster  out  roll. 

Musician. 

Mustered. 

No  further  record,  Adjutant-General's  Office, 

Washington,  D.  C. 
New  York  Harbor. 
Non-commissioned. 
Ordinary  Seaman. 
Paroled. 

Post-office  address,  last  known. 
Principal. 
Private. 
Promoted. 
Quartermaster. 
Re-enlisted. 
Regiment. 
Residence. 
Sergeant. 
Severely. 
Special  Orders. 
Surgeon. 
Term  expired. 
Transferred. 
United  States  Army. 
Un  assigned. 

United  States  Colored  Troops. 
United  States  Ship. 
United  States  Signal  Corps. 
United  States  Sharpshooters. 
Volunteers. 

Veteran  Reserve  Corps. 
Wounded. 
Wounds. 


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